After sweeping through Flight 1 Singles at the 2013 Trinity Quad Tournament and finishing seventh in doubles at the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships, St. Edward’s University’s women’s tennis standout Brooke Hughes has begun her playing career on the Hilltop with a bang.

Hughes, who joined the Hilltoppers this season, is a sophomore transfer from the University of Oregon. With the exception of her one year in Oregon, Hughes has lived in Austin since moving from Ohio in 2004 at age 10.

According to Hughes, her parents introduced her to the sport of tennis at a young age. Hughes’ mother was a tennis star in high school and her father was a tennis coach, which is how the pair met.

Hughes’ parents often took her to professional tennis matches as a child, and that exposure is really where her love for the sport began. Hughes has also been a longtime admirer of former professional tennis player and Grand Slam champion Andy Roddick, who played a key role in interesting her in the sport.

To date, Hughes’ biggest accomplishments include winning ATA Junior Team Tennis Nationals under St. Edward’s head coach Kendall Brooks and placing second and third in consecutive years in the sectionals tournaments.

In order to compete at such a high level consistently, Hughes has her own training schedule that she strictly follows day in and day out. Not only does she practice two hours a day with the team, but she also has her own personal trainer that she works out with every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6 a.m.

Hughes is hopeful that this time and dedication will translate to achieving some of her personal goals set for this season, including finishing the season with a winning record, making Team Nationals again in the spring and winning the region and Heartland Conference title.

As she has already cemented her place in Team Nationals this year, Hughes is well on her way towards a successful season and achieving her personal marks. However, her chase is currently on-hold as women’s tennis just began its off-season and will not return to action until February.

Hughes encourages the St. Edward’s community to come out and support the team when they take the court again in the spring.

“Our matches are a lot of fun,” Hughes said, “so come out and support us next season.”