UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State women’s tennis freshman Patricia was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Wednesday afternoon. Grigoras contributed wins in both singles and doubles play as the team picked up a 4-3 victory over No. 14 USC on March 28 for the program’s highest-ranked win in over 20 years.
In doubles play against the Trojans, Grigoras paired with Jordina Cegarra for a dramatic doubles victory to clinch the point for Penn State. After splitting courts one and three, it came down to duo of Grigoras and Cegarra on court two. They defeated Jana Hossam and Sloane Morra, 7-5, giving the Nittany Lions an early lead heading into singles competition.
Grigoras carried the momentum into her singles match. She earned her singles triumph in a three-set thriller on court three. She gave Penn State its third point of the dual with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 win against Lily Fairclough.
Against No. 24 UCLA, the following day, the freshman nearly picked up the first ranked singles victory of her career. She led No. 38 Kate Fakih, 6-4, 5-3, before the match went unfinished.
Grigoras is off to a stellar start to her college career with an 18-5 (12-3 dual) singles record. Her 18 overall wins and 12 dual victories lead the team. She boasts a 4-1 Big Ten record, another team-leading mark.
In doubles, she holds a 14-10 (9-5 dual) record, including three Big Ten victories. The tandem of Grigoras and Cegarra is 12-8 (9-5 dual).
The Nittany Lions are back in action for Big Ten road contests against Illinois on Saturday, April 5 and Northwestern the next day. Both matches are set for a 1 p.m. start.
Follow along with the Nittany Lions on X, @PennStateWTEN, and on Instagram, @pennstatewtennis.