Maggie Fiocchi, a recent graduate of Linfield University and its women's tennis program, is one of two Northwest Conference representatives under consideration for the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year award.
 
Fiocchi, who in May completed bachelor's degrees in economics and psychology, is one of 151 nominees who were selected by conference offices to move forward to the selection committee for Top 30 consideration for the Woman of the Year award. A total of 577 nominations were considered.
 
From the list of the Top 30 nominees, the Woman of the Year Selection Committee will announce nine finalists, three from each NCAA division. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics will review the finalists and name the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year at the NCAA Convention in January in San Antonio, Texas.
 
The Kennewick, Washington, resident was a four-time ITA Scholar-Athlete and a four-year honoree on the Linfield Dean's List. She completed four years at Linfield with nearly perfect 3.97 grade point average.
 
In addition to her stellar academic record, Fiocchi served as a volunteer with the USTA, helping run local tournaments, was a USPTA youth tennis trainer in her hometown, and spent three years as a resident advisor for Linfield student housing. In addition, she was a teacher's assistant for the Psychology and Economics department faculty, and completed an internship with Linfield Athletics, helping conduct a 360-degree evaluation of the entire athletics department.
 
"I have always desired to make a positive impact on the world in whatever way possible," said Fiocchi. "As a student-athlete at Linfield University, I was determined to invent opportunities to serve my community, advocate for my teammates, and to educate myself.
 
"As a captain of the women's tennis team and resident advisor, I was responsible for cultivating a positive, safe, and respectful atmosphere while simultaneously promoting values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. I took both positions seriously and constantly sought opportunities to develop and improve my leadership abilities."
 
The educational leadership opportunities Fiocchi participated in, including as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, enabled her "to reflect on my own personal experiences, especially as a student-athlete."
 
When the Linfield women's tennis program underwent a sudden change in head coaches, Fiocchi played a role in pivoting what could have otherwise been an undesirable outcome into a winning result.
 
"The summer before my junior year, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, our head coach informed the team that they would not be returning to Linfield for the upcoming season," she said. "Feelings of confusion, loss, and fear consumed the team as communication with the athletic department faltered…I refused to let the women's tennis program dissipate. I emailed the athletic director asking for renewed urgency in securing a new head coach, I organized team practices to keep everyone connected, and I asked to be a part of the hiring committee because I wanted to keep the department accountable. I saw the importance of interviewing female candidates in a male-dominated field and am proud to say that the coach we hired, Ella Riddle Maliska, won the NWC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year for the 2021-22 season.
 
"The loss of a head coach in the midst of a global pandemic is less than ideal," Fiocchi said. "However, I am beyond grateful for the lessons I learned along the way. This incident strengthened our team in unimaginable ways and ultimately lead to a third-round appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2021."
 
On the tennis court last spring, Fiocchi compiled a 13-2 record in singles, including a spotless 9-0 mark against NWC competition. She was equally as effective in doubles, rolling up a 14-3 record and an 8-1 total within NWC play.