ASU Junior Micaela Hein, 21, of Mission Viejo, Calif., is 76th for single match players in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings in April. Hein was named the Pac-10 Women’s Tennis Players of the Week for the first week in March, and this was her first weekly honor of her ASU tennis career. Hein was the seventh player named all-time Pac-10 Player of the Week for all ASU women athletes.

 Micaela is one of the most competitive girls on the team, and she loves to win, said head coach Sheila McInerney.

 Hein played many sports and had a competitive background before she was serious about tennis. Hein’s inspirations for her tennis career are her parents. After college, Hein plans on moving back to California to pursue pro tournaments.

 “My dad grew up playing tennis so he is the one who helped me get into it. He never pushed me or forced me to play, I was the one who had the drive,” Hein said. “I also surfed, danced and played soccer until I was 13. I wasn’t always about tennis, but once I got to high school I decided to really start taking it seriously.”

 Hein, a communications major, has been playing for the Sun Devils for the past three years, and is on a full athletic scholarship. Hein’s record this season for dual matches are 9-7.

 Micaela is very fair competitor, and she is all business on the court. Micaela is extremely intense when she plays, you can see it in her eyes, McInerney said.

“Growing up I loved to watch Monica Seles play. Her passion, determination and drive really spoke to me,” Hein said. “She was such a fighter and played to win every match. Her whole life story is very inspiring. I have great respect and admiration for her, not only as a tennis player, but as a human being.”

 Hein’s freshman year playing for ASU started in 2007 when she was the third best on the team. Hein had 17 wins with partner Kelcy McKenna, and 21 wins in singles.

 Micaela is a very confident player. She leads by example and is such an integral part of our team, said McKenna. Her game is always improving and she never ceases to put in effort at practice. A lot of other people’s weaknesses are Micaela’s strengths, which is what makes her so talented. She could play doubles with anyone on our team, and beat any female collegiate tennis player.

 “I absolutely love playing with Micaela. She brings tenacity, desire, perseverance and competitiveness to the court at all times,” McKenna said. “Micaela is incredibly talented, and her game compliments any person she plays with.”

 Hein suffered from her first injury, a stress fracture, on her right foot her freshman year right before the NCAA tournament.

 “It was heartbreaking for me because I cared so much and wanted to be there for my team,” Hein said. “It was really hard for me to work hard all season and then not get the satisfaction of finishing the last and most important tournament of the year. I learned a lot by going and supporting my team compete. I got to see what the competition was like from a different perspective.”

 Hein finished 18th in doubles with McKenna last season. Hein earned the All-American title in doubles when she made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA championship with McKenna, and ranked top 20. Hein earned the ITA Scholar Athlete two seasons in a row. Hein won 23-11 matches with McKenna her sophomore season, and had a 17-9 win single record.

 During Hein’s sophomore year she battled with shoulder impingement, which took her out of a lot of matches, but Hein was able to play in the NCAA tournament unlike the year before.

 “It was an awesome experience because I couldn’t play in the tournament the season before, and I was more pumped and ready to go,” Hein said. “That drive helped me win all of my matches. Unfortunately as a team, we lost second round. I was just grateful that I was healthy enough to play.”

 Hein has turned to her religious connections to help her get through her injuries, and stay positive.

 “Christ has helped me tremendously with my tennis career,” Hein said. “I have battled with countless injuries and without God, I would have not been able to push through and stay committed to the sport. I have realized that God has given me this talent and I want to use it to please and honor Him. All of the success that I have had has come from Him. Looking back on all the injuries I had, I thought that I wouldn’t have the All-American title or be playing on the collegiate level.”

 Hein has traveled to Mexico twice for community service efforts with her church. The first time she helped to build a house for a deserving family, and the second time was a visit to an orphanage. Hein is active in community service in Tempe, and visits local schools to play sports with underprivileged children.

 Hein choose to attend ASU because of the coaching staff and the girls on the team. Hein maintains her relationships with her teammates off the court.

 “Outside of tennis Micaela and I are partners in crime! We are great friends and enjoy doing non-tennis related activities together,” McKenna said. “She is an excellent bowler, chef, and Connect Four player. We took Italian 101 together, which was a minor disaster! Now, Micaela is enrolled in American Sign Language, and she will teach me interesting signs like candy.”

 Micaela is a great asset to the team. She brings that California vibe, she’s laid back and is always in a good mood, McInerney said.

 “Both on and off the court Micaela is a great person,” McKenna said. “She is the type of friend, teammate or sister that any person would like to have. Her communication and leadership provide an excellent role model to younger members of our team. She is a person that exemplifies the true meaning of the word teammate.”