Fausett to represent UMHB at USTA/ITA National Small College Cha - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Belton, TX – When Brittni Fausett takes the court at the 2012 USTA/ITA National Small College Championships, October 11-14th in Mobile, Ala., she will be the first female and first singles player to represent the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at the tournament.

Fausett earned her spot at the championships after winning the "A" singles title at the ITA Southwest Regional Tournament, held in San Antonio, Texas. She also won the flight one singles at the American Southwest Conference Individual Tournament, held in Tyler, Texas. The championships will mark just the third tournament in which Fausett will wear a UMHB uniform.

The senior from Cameron, Texas, transferred to UMHB this year for her senior tennis season. She went to Northern Illinois after graduating from Cameron Yoe High School in 2009 and made stops at Temple College and Tarleton State before returning to, what she calls, home.

"Home brought me here (to UMHB)," Fausett said. I love it here. I love Belton. It's a great place to finish my last two years of college."

Fausett said she didn't envision going to so many schools in her collegiate tennis career, but knows she is at UMHB for a reason.

"We're excited to have Brittni here," head UMHB tennis coach James Cohagan said. "I think it's raised everyone's level of desire to try to get better and be focused."

Cohagan praised Fausett, saying she did a good job of being part of the team and working hard when she stepped on campus.

"She's one of those people who hits a lot of extra balls and wants to work on things," he said.

Fausett said her goals for the upcoming season include not only individual aspirations, but also good things for the UMHB women's team. She has already accomplished one of those individual goals by making the national tournament.

"It's definitely exciting," she said. "I'm proud of myself and it's something I can always look back on, especially my senior year, and say that I did."