July 16, 2014
COLUMBIA, Mo. - With the summer reaching its end and student-athletes returning to Columbia in a little over a month, Mizzou Athletics will catch up with members of the Mizzou tennis program and see how their personal summer has gone.
In the first edition of the Mizzou tennis "Summer Update", we sat down with senior Alex Clark. Entering the 2014-15 season, Clark is set to be the lone senior on the Tigers roster. Last year, Clark played at the No. 4, 5 and 6 singles slot throughout the season, while also competing in doubles play with Cassidy Spearman, Madison Rhyner and Tracy Dong.
Clark made an instant impact at Mizzou during her 2011-12 freshman campaign, after posting an overall record of 22-11 in the fall and spring sessions. Before her arrival to mid-Missouri, Clark resided in London, England and was one of the top-20 players in the country under the age of 16. Her impressive prep career continued during her senior year, as she was ranked inside the top-450 junior tennis players in the world according to the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
With her collegiate career at Mizzou nearing its end, Clark has made a commitment to improve her game this summer as she prepares for her final season with the Tigers.
"I've been going back to my old tennis club in England, and working hard on my off-season program there," said Clark. "I've been doing singles and doubles work as well, in addition to an intense fitness program. I'm currently getting ready to play a national doubles tournament called `County Week' for my county of Buckinghamshire in Division I (which we won last year!) I then look forward to coming back to Mizzou, and traveling to Indiana with some teammates for a tournament there."
Including Clark, the Tigers return four members from last season's squad, and will welcome four new players to the roster. With a mix of proven upper-classmen and exciting newcomers, Clark will be looked upon for her leadership and outstanding work ethic throughout her final year in the black and gold.
"For my senior year at Mizzou, I'm just looking to leave everything I have out on the table," Clark exclaimed. "I want to look back on my time here in Columbia and be proud of myself. This includes working hard, having fun and giving to myself and my team."
"I'm excited to come back because I still haven't met some of my new teammates yet, although we have been very active on our team blog. I'm so excited to see everyone, and get back into a routine with the coaches and my teammates!"
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