The Nation’s Best Freshman – Stanford University Athletics

She is the eighth freshman in program history to earn the award and first since Michaela Gordon in 2018. The honor was undoubtedly solidified after a runner-up finish at the NCAA Singles Championship in May, where Ma was the only freshman remaining among the quarterfinalists. She became just the 14th unseeded player since event started in 1982 to advance to the championship match of NCAA Singles. She is the fifth freshman in Stanford history to advance to the championship match and first since Amber Liu in 2003.

Ma was one of only four freshmen in the country to be named an All-American in singles this season, becoming the 30th freshman in program history to earn All-America accolades in single, also the first since Gordon in 2018. Ma finished her rookie campaign ranked 12th nationally.

Ma’s overall record on the year finished at 32-9, and joining with fellow rookie Alexandra Yepifanova’s record of 34-8, Stanford boasted two freshman with over 30 wins on the season for the first time since 2011 (Nicole Gibbs 46, Kristie Ahn 36). Ma earned a team-high 15 victories against ranked opponents on the year and was 15-5 at No. 1 singles, the most wins at the top spot since Carol Zhao in 2015 and most by a freshman at No. 1 since Hilary Barte in 2008.