Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Phanthala Earns Big Ten Freshman of the Week Honors
1/21/2026 2:30:00 PM | Women's Tennis
EVANSTON, Ill. - For the second time this season, Northwestern first-year Margot Phanthala has been named the Big Ten Women's Tennis Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Wednesday. The honor comes after Phanthala helped the Wildcats to a 3-0 opening weekend with three victories from the top singles spot.
Phanthala, ranked No. 39 in the ITA's preseason singles rankings, debuted at the No. 1 position in singles action over the weekend. In the first dual matches of her career, the first-year went a combined 4-0, taking home a doubles victory to go along with her three singles wins. Led by Phanthala, the 'Cats rolled to a pair of 7-0 sweeps over VCU and Temple, along with a 6-1 victory over Richmond.
Phanthala's first two singles wins came in dominant fashion; she defeated VCU's Sofia Jane Thorne 6-3, 6-1 on Friday before coming away with an even more decisive 6-0, 6-1 win against Temple's Marianthi Christoforidou on Saturday. Phanthala then rounded out the weekend with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 win against Sofia Barbulescu in Sunday's match against Richmond.
Combined with Phanthala's impressive fall, her three victories this weekend improved her singles record to 10-2 this season. Wednesday's honor is the second of her career, after she was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on October 15, 2025.
Phanthala and the 'Cats will return to action this weekend as they host their home opener against UIC at Combe Tennis Center this Sunday. Action is set to begin at 10 a.m. CT.
Phanthala, ranked No. 39 in the ITA's preseason singles rankings, debuted at the No. 1 position in singles action over the weekend. In the first dual matches of her career, the first-year went a combined 4-0, taking home a doubles victory to go along with her three singles wins. Led by Phanthala, the 'Cats rolled to a pair of 7-0 sweeps over VCU and Temple, along with a 6-1 victory over Richmond.
Phanthala's first two singles wins came in dominant fashion; she defeated VCU's Sofia Jane Thorne 6-3, 6-1 on Friday before coming away with an even more decisive 6-0, 6-1 win against Temple's Marianthi Christoforidou on Saturday. Phanthala then rounded out the weekend with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 win against Sofia Barbulescu in Sunday's match against Richmond.
Combined with Phanthala's impressive fall, her three victories this weekend improved her singles record to 10-2 this season. Wednesday's honor is the second of her career, after she was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on October 15, 2025.
Phanthala and the 'Cats will return to action this weekend as they host their home opener against UIC at Combe Tennis Center this Sunday. Action is set to begin at 10 a.m. CT.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
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