Minnesota State junior Heather Jensen is in her third season with the Maverick Tennis team. The Mankato, Minn., native is currently leading the team 13-4 in overall singles matches as well as 7-0 in conference matches. In her last ten match ups, Jensen went 5-4 and she also presently holds the team’s longest winning streak with four.

MSU head coach Phil Brauer had this to say about his junior netter:

“Heather has improved greatly since her freshman year. Freshman year she only competed in one singles and one doubles match the entire season. In the next season she stepped up to a starter on varsity and picked up a combined 35 singles and doubles wins for us. This year she already has 27 combined wins and half as many losses as the previous year, despite having a much tougher schedule so she is turning into a huge contributor for us!”

Ten Questions With Heather:

1. How did you end up at Minnesota State?

I live in Madison Lake, Minn., which is about 15 minutes away from Mankato. I decided to go to Minnesota State so I could save money by staying home, keep my current jobs, and to play tennis.

2. What are your favorite things about tennis?

My favorite things about tennis are bonding with my teammates, competition, and simply just playing the game that I love.

3. What are your plans after graduation?

My plans after graduation are up in the air right now. I have many options that are on the back burner, but I’m just going to take it day by day until then and make some decisions when I graduate.

4. What is the biggest thing you have accomplished at MSU?

The biggest thing that I have accomplished at MSU would be maintaining good grades while working two jobs and being on the tennis team is an accomplishment in itself.

5. When you’re not in the classroom or at practice, how do you spend your free time?

When I’m not in the classroom or at practice I spend most of my free time working two jobs. I am a manager at Inta Juice and a server at Westwood Marina Bar & Grill. When I’m not working I like to spend time with family and friends, travel, play hockey, golf, play more tennis, and any outdoor park and recreational activities.

6. What is your motto in life?

I don’t really have a specific one but here is one that I like; To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.

7. Tell me about your favorite moment competing in tennis?

My favorite moment from tennis would be when we took second at the NSIC tournament and went to regions last year (2009).

8. Do you have any pre-game rituals or do anything superstitious before competition?

I do not have any pre-game rituals that I do myself, but the captains of the team give a quick motivational speech right after we do line ups before a match.

9. What super-power would you most like to have, and why?

A super-power that I would like to have would be being able to fly. This was the first thing that came to my mind and I think that it would be fun.

10. If you were on an island, what would you want with you, and why?

If I were on an island I would want a friend with me or my significant other, Matt so I would not be lonely.