When junior DePauw Tigers women's tennis standout Maggie MacPhail received an email from Assistant Director of Athletics Lisa Link saying that she was named NCAC Player of the Week, MacPhail was surprised, to say the least.
Despite the fact that MacPhail had just beat the 11th ranked player in the region in straight sets en route to a 6-3 team victory over 12th ranked Washington University in St.Louis, the Indianapolis, Ind. native thought it was too early in the season to consider herself a candidate for any national awards.
For others, however, it was only a matter of time before MacPhail was given the recognition she deserves. Her teammates could not help but notice the hard work MacPhail has put into the sport she has played since she was a child. For the junior players that came into the program alongside MacPhail in 2011, they have been witness to one of the program's most dedicated athletes.
"Maggie is probably one of my best friends at DePauw," said junior Kaitlin Pickrel (Kettering, Ohio). "Ever since she's been here, she's been a leader on and off the court. Her talent and hard work is something we strive for."
MacPhail's strong play has proven to be contagious, as news broke that Pickrel was named this week's NCAC Player of the Week as of yesterday.
Junior Julie Wittwer (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) has also noticed MacPhail's hard work on the court.
"When I found out that Maggie got NCAC Player of the Week, I was not surprised," Wittwer said. "This is some of the best tennis that I've seen her play. Knowing her these three years, I've witnessed the dedication and its good to see it all paying off for her."
Now, with the Tigers moving to 5-0 on the season with a win over Ohio Wesleyan University's Battling Bishops this past weekend, it is clear MacPhail and the Tiger's are planning to keep their early season success a constant trend throughout the 2014 season.
MacPhail, who graduated from Park Tudor in 2011, said that the team has higher expectations of themselves this year. Last season, the Tigers exited the third round of the NCAA tournament with a 4-5 loss to Washington University.
In mid-February of this year, the Tigers tried their best to make a statement when the two teams faced off against each other again.
"Losing to Wash U made us hungry to do better this year," MacPhail said. "That was one of the reasons we were really excited to come out so strong against them the other weekend. We came out strong from the start and had a chip on our shoulder. I think we wanted it really badly and prepared well for it."
The heavy preparation came in part with senior doubles partner Caroline Emhardt. Emhardt (Carmel, Ind.), who is in her last year with the Tigers program, has played with MacPhail since the two attended Park Tudor.
The duo became doubles partners last season and haven't looked back since. They are currently 15-2 on the season.
"I've known [MacPhail] since I was ten," Emhardt said. "She's such a competitor. People lose their focus or commitment, but she's always been dedicated, and that's been admirable."
Emhardt has been with the team since her sophomore year and sees a more well-rounded Tigers team this season than in the past.
Both MacPhail and Emhardt are expecting nothing less than a national championship this season.
"Our goal is to go undefeated," Emhardt said. "Every match starts with doubles, and if Maggie and I keep it up we know we can compete with every team. We know we can do really well this year."
As for MacPhail's singles records, she is currently ranked number 21st in the region. However, she vows the rankings and awards won't go to her head.
"I throw it out the window," MacPhail said. "It's good to have high expectations for myself, but I know every time I step on the court is a new match. Nothing is going to make me win except just playing. Too much pressure makes me not pay too much attention to myself, and I know the more relaxed I am the better I play."
The Tiger's women's tennis program is preparing to host this weekend's ITA Indoor nationals, and the team is set to compete on Friday.