Every student-athlete has a journey. Gracie Ha, a senior on the UW-Whitewater women’s tennis team, has had a roller coaster of a journey. She went from not making the lineup until the spring portion of her freshman season to becoming a captain for the Warhawks her senior year.
“Freshman year was definitely a tough year for me,” Ha said. “I didn’t make the lineup until spring semester, so that was definitely a goal that I accomplished my freshman year. I definitely just had a rough start to college, just in general. But I think just ever since freshman year, I’ve worked really hard and just went to every practice, lift and conditioning with a positive attitude.”
Royal Purple had an opportunity to sit down with Ha and talk about her journey as a student-athlete at UW-W as well as how she’s preparing for the final stretch of her collegiate career.
Q: What are some personal goals you have entering the spring season?
A: Hopefully qualify for nationals. Our team goal is to win the final four AQ tournament at the end of April.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge through your past four years?
A: I think my biggest challenge has just been trying to go to every practice and match the same way I did my freshman year. Another challenge I’ve been facing is just keeping my spot where I’m at. I just keep telling myself that every year, going into each season that the spot is not just handed to us, that we have to work for it. So just keep telling myself to just work hard every day and just enjoy every moment.
Q: Who keeps you focused when things don’t go your way?
A: I would say my parents and both my sisters. I don’t think I could honestly do these four years without them. Along with my coaches, they’ve just been really great. My teammates are always there for me too and always support me when I’m struggling.
Q: How has your relationship with the team grown over time?
A: We’re a really tight group, very close with each other. It’s hard in the beginning just getting to know everyone. But I think as we go to practice, play matches, travel together, it helps us get closer together. Ever since day one, ever since we got to campus, these girls have always been here for each other.
Q: What has been your favorite memory in tennis?
A: My best memory was playing with my sister one last time her senior year. We knew we wanted to play with each other one more time before she graduated. To bring back our high school days and to do it at the college level was just super fun.
Q: When was the first time you picked up a racket?
A: I started playing tennis when I was seven years old. I knew the game a little bit because I was always going to my sister’s practices, their matches, and I just decided to pick up a racket. It’s definitely sad to know I’m not going to play at this high level once the spring semester ends, but there’s definitely been a lot of memories ever since I was seven.
Tennis will always be a core part of Ha’s life. The memories of the ups and downs as well as the relationships forged has helped Ha go from struggling as a freshman to being a core leader of the program as a senior.
