HUSKY SPOTLIGHT: ALEXIA JACOBS
December 22, 2023 | Women's Tennis
For Alexia Jacobs, being at Washington is her first experience being in an actual classroom.
Having spent her whole life homeschooled — growing up in Alberta, Canada, Jacobs was most looking forward to the social setting college would provide. Having grown up with the same group of friends that playing junior tennis supplied, college has served as an opportunity to see what different personalities and friendships she attracts.
In just one quarter at UW thus far, Jacobs can already feel a newfound confidence emanating. The confidence has come from being part of a new team culture, Jacobs said, and she is excited to see how much that will continue to grow this year and beyond.
"I've developed more maturity on the court, and that includes handling my body language," Jacobs said. "I'm more relaxed mentally. If I'm down in a set or down in the match, I used to be doubting myself a lot but now I've grown that confidence in myself and can remind myself that I can still come back from any setback."
PROFESSIONAL STATUS
Jacobs competed in a few pro tournaments this fall, but got so familiar with being around her Husky teammates that playing alone again felt strange.
"I kept thinking 'where is everybody?' because I have grown to love competing with this group so much in the first few months I've been here," Jacobs said. "My coaches and family were there to support me, though, so it was really nice to play in front of them and show them how much I've grown since I've been away at college."
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— Washington Women's Tennis (@UW_WTennis) December 22, 2023
One of our 2?? favorite freshmen ??
Read all about Alexia's lifelong (literally) tennis career & journey to UW!
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TENNIS: IT'S A FAMILY THING
Jacobs has played tennis for as long as she can remember. Her mom a tennis coach and older sister a tennis player herself, Jacobs has been around the game since before she could even walk.
"I've been at work with my mom since I've been alive," Jacobs joked. "It was hard for her when I left for college because I was at work with her pretty much every single day because she worked at the tennis club I trained at. She never coached me and even though we weren't on the same court, she would be on one side of the club and I'd be on the other. We just got used to spending a lot of time together."
Spending hours upon hours with her mom in the gym over the years, Jacobs' mother is a huge reason she is dedicated to working so hard on the court.
"I always saw how much of a hard worker my mom was (and is) — she puts her 100 percent into literally everything she does," Jacobs said. "That motivates me to do the same because all I want is to make her proud. She has always put me and my sister first. That's inspiring for me because I want to work hard and put my all into something and try to stay as strong as she's been throughout her life."
A PERFECT FIT
Jacobs had another dream school in mind when she took her official visit to Washington, but that mindset shifted as soon as she set foot in Seattle. A overwheling genuine and welcoming feeling at UW and particularly from the coaching staff greatly influenced Jacobs to make her decision to come to UW.
"It felt very natural me being here straight away. It felt like I fit right in," Jacobs said. "When I joined on a team dinner on my visit, Robin said that it already felt like I was part of the team. It was a pretty automatic feeling compared to other schools."
COACH THOUGHTS
"Alexia is an incredibly special individual and we are so grateful that she's a Husky," Head Coach Robin Stephenson said. "I was seriously counting down the days for her to start with us and we have loved every minute of this fall with her so far. It's been fun to see her confidence in herself grow each day, each practice, each match, each experience - she's hungry to learn and grow and she's done just that.
"She's the epitome of a team player and I knew she would flourish in this environment. Her best tennis is ahead of her and her best tennis is going to be extremely fun for people to watch. She has a high tennis IQ, a very professional and positive mentality and some unique weapons on the court. When you combine those things with her work ethic, great things will happen.
Stephenson continued: "Alexia's coach back home and I are very aligned in our coaching philosophy and in our vision for her so it's been a very seamless transition. I can't wait to see her in action in her first season as a Husky and see the impact she has on those around her and the heights she can help take this program to. She has high goals for herself and the team and she's not afraid to go after those goals and to put the work in. Very excited to get to work with her everyday and to see what the future holds!"
SEATTLE LIVIN'
Originating from the west coast of Canada, making the transition to Seattle life hasn't been too much of a challenge. Jacobs enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, swimming — although this fall hasn't had much of an opportunity to do those things. She also plans on studying psychology, with particular interests in criminology, research and social work — any of which may eventually turn into career opportunities.
With tennis season just around the corner, the freshman is prepared to take all she has learned about herself this fall — both on and off the court — and see how all of it translates into team success.
"Being able to play with a team has been a big part of my confidence so far this year, so I'm excited to play more together this season," Jacobs said. "When I was at home I was training alone with my coach which I loved a lot, but I didn't have as many of the resources that I have here. I've been working on confidence for a while and it just clicked when I got to this environment with this team. Everyone's so supportive, so I'm very excited to get to compete with these people."
Players Mentioned
