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Jade Otway, for the Texas Christian University (TCU) becomes the first NIT MVP winner. She was named MVP for her outstanding run in the 2023 NIT Tournament going undefeated in all three games. Jade lifted the trophy high on the heels of TCU 4-0 over Stetson for the inaugural NIT championship.
Otway led the Frogs by going 3-0 in singles. She has only lost 10 games overall in the combined tournament. In her first game against UC San Diego she finished (6-0, 6-1) to win the doubles point 6-3 with her partner Mercedes Arisetgui.
In their semifinal match, Otway and Aristegui were the only doubles team for TCU to win in a 6-3 decision. She didn't stop there, as she beat Wyoming in a straight set 6-1, 6-2. Finally, in the final league game of the 2023 spring season, Otway secured a 6-3, 6-3 win over Stetson to help her team make a clean sweep.
Head coach Lee Taylor Walker has seen the hard work put in by the sophomore and it has paid off significantly: "This is the culmination of what Jade has done this entire season. Her growth and development from last season to this season has been one of the biggest leaps I've seen in any player I've ever coached.
Much of that it's down to her coaching ability and just the general attitude and enjoyment of the competition. She loves to compete and she loves the game. We are very proud of her and feel she has a great team of people around her including her parents and family.
"He is coaching at home in New Zealand, as are our staff here. We are all on the same page and aim for Jades' continued progress and enjoyment." Assistant coach Christopher Williams has seen the progress: "Jade's accomplishments this season on the pro tour and on the collegiate team are in line with her goals.
She wants to be a pro and so she acts like one. She's establishing herself as one of the best and we will see his ranking rise this summer with the program he has made. We are very proud of his commitment and his representation of TCU."
About the Texas Christian University
The Texas Christian University is a private research university in Fort Worth, Texas.
The campus is located on 272 acres about 3 miles from downtown Fort Worth. The university consists of eight constituent colleges and schools and has a classical liberal arts curriculum. It is classified among R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity.
For most varsity sports, TCU competes in the Big 12 conference of the NCAA's Division I. As of Fall 2021, the university enrolls around 11,938 students, with 10,222 being undergraduates. As reported by the website of the Texas Christian University, TCU women's tennis team opened the 2023 season with the TCU Invitational at the Bayard H. Friedman Center.
Photo Credits: TCU website