Classwork is tough at Saint Louis University. Having a double major doesn’t help that situation, and playing a Division I sport doesn’t make things easier.
For Julie Siemers, however, it can be done-and in an impressive manner.
Siemers, a junior tennis player for the Billikens, was named the SLU Scholar-Athlete of the month for April as well as being named to the 3rd team All-Conference team by Conference-USA.
“That’s awesome that I was chosen scholar-athlete. I wasn’t expecting that honor when I got the message on my recorder earlier today. I am very excited,” said Siemers
The surprised junior finished her debut season strong with a spring record of 18-3, and a 23-6 overall season record.
She spent the majority of the season playing at the No. 2 slot for the Billikens after starting the fall season at the No. 1 position. That is a lot to ask of a junior who spent last year at the third position for the Billikens.
“I had a good year. I did well last year at the three position, so I wanted to step up my play and do well at a higher position,” Siemers said.
“By playing at the second position, I was able to face some good competition in our conference. I really wanted to play well at that slot. Fortunately, I was able to,” Siemers said.
Siemers was named co-captain by her teammates before the season. Her strong play late in the season was leadership enough.
She posted an undefeated record in the months of March and April, while guiding the Bills to an improved 10-11 team record. She hopes this leadership will help her guide her SLU teammates next season.
“This year helped out a lot from a leadership standpoint. The team picked out captains this year instead of just the coach. I was really proud to be named co-captain by my peers. Ingrid Habony and I did a good job as leaders for our team.
“This experience will definitely prepare me for next season. Being friends with the girls on the team really helps things go smoothly, too,” Siemers said.
But her teammates aren’t the only ones who have taken a liking to this hometown athlete.
Billiken tennis coach Derek Mills had some kind words to say about Siemers.
“Julie has had a great year. Overall, Julie has been our most consistent player, and we have depended on her to come through with a victory in every match.
“I know she’s excited about her season as well,” said Mills.
However, after a long day on the courts, it is time to rest.
She has two majors to worry about; she is double majoring in marketing and management information systems. So why would someone recruited by schools such as Baylor, West Virginia and Richmond want to stay in St. Louis?
“Those schools didn’t really have anything that especially interested me.
“I chose SLU because I knew it would give me the best education, and the girls on the team were so nice. I liked it right away,” Siemers said.
She is no newcomer to winning, however. Siemers played high school tennis for St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis where her team was two-time state champions.
She was forced to sit out her junior season for the Angels due to an injury. She also sat out her junior year in order to play tournaments in the Missouri Valley Junior League.
However, Siemers came back her senior year to finish fifth individually at state and led her team to a state championship.
“We were a dominant team in high school. My freshman and senior years we won it all. That was a great experience.
“I had to sit out my junior year and that was not fun, but I was able to come back and have a great final season at St. Joe,” Siemers said.
Siemers is a team player. She immediately wanted to talk about her team’s successful year instead of her individual success.
If her career at SLU says anything about her future, whatever Siemers does out of college, she is sure to excel.
She has been playing tennis since she was 11-years old and she still plays with the same fun yet intense attitude that has helped her succeed on the tennis court as well as in the classroom.
