MEDFORD - Elle Christensen, a freshman from Tufts University, was named the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for Tennis as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Christensen is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DIII Honda Athlete of the Year. This will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of THE CWSA program, now in its 46th year.

Christensen won the 2022 NCAA Division III singles crown and then joined with junior teammate Tilly Rigby to capture the NCAA Division III doubles championship. It was the first time since 2017 that the singles and doubles national champions came from the same school.

"I am honored to be nominated from the sport of tennis for the Honda DIII Athlete of the Year award," said Christensen. "It represents to me the culmination of my life's work to this point. I've been playing tennis since I was five years old. An opportunity to compete with the best is all an athlete really wants. I went into the NCAA competition unseeded and gave it my all to bring home the double-win for Tufts. I am deeply indebted to everyone that made this journey possible and so special."

Among 32 players in the NCAA Singles Tournament bracket originally, Christensen defeated fourth-seed Angie Zhou from Pomona-Pitzer 6-4, 7-5 to win the championship. Zhou had only lost two games total in four previous NCAA matches entering the final. En route to the title, she had also knocked off the top seed in the NCAA singles draw (Sylwia Mikos, Chicago) in the quarterfinals 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Named to the NESCAC All-Conference team, the rookie compiled a 26-4 record in singles including a 10-0 mark against conference opponents in the spring. During the 2021-22 year she has had victories over other All-Conference recipients including Player of the Year Jackie Bukzin from Amherst, who Christensen defeated at the MIT Invitational in the fall.

Also in the fall Christensen and Rigby won the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) New England doubles title and played at the ITA Cup fall national championships. They continued their success into the spring and posted a 28-5 overall record for the year. That includes a 7-2 mark against NESCAC foes.

"Elle fights her hardest for every point," head coach Kate Bayard said. "She has huge weapons on both sides from the baseline, combined with great awareness and an ability to adjust her strategy whenever needed – even in pressure situations. Elle is a fierce competitor who has shown such grit and determination this year. I'm proud of her for all of her hard work."

All Honda Sports nominees from DIII and DII become a finalist for the prestigious 2022 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 27, 2022, in downtown Los Angeles. The Honda Award finalists are recognized in 11 DIII and DII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.

The CWSA has honored the nation's top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women's athletics programs.

Press release courtesy of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards presented by Honda