2013-14 (Junior Season)
After posting an 8-3 singles record in the fall tournament season and 17-8 singles record in the regular season, Hignett completed his third season at UNM with an overall singles record of 25-11. Hignett had a very impressive season competing primarily in the No. 5 singles position.
Hignett also completed the 2013-14 season with a winning doubles record, finishing with an overall record of 14-10. He competed primarily with teammate Samir Iftikhar in the No. 1 doubles position. The duo went 8-7 on the season and earned All-MW honors for their success in doubles play. Hignett and Iftikhar finished the season ranked 6th in the ITA Mountain Region doubles rankings.
Hignett completed the 2014 Mountain West Championships with two singles wins and one unfinished match. Hignett and Iftikhar (also two wins) were the only Lobos to record more than one singles victory at the tournament. Hignett and Iftikhar also came out strong in doubles play during the tournament. The duo recorded doubles wins in UNM’s first two matches of the event. Their doubles match against top-seeded Fresno State was declared unfinished.
Hignett also received plenty of recognition for his academic success during the 2013-14 season. He was named to the 2014 Academic All-Conference team and was also honored a 2014 MW Scholar-Athlete. Hignett was also named a 2014 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar Athlete.
2012-13 (Sophomore Season)
Hignett had a successful 2012-13 season on the tennis court and in the classroom. Hignett was awarded the Mountain West Scholar-Athlete award for Spring 2013. He was also honored as an ITA Scholar-Athlete for maintaining a minimum 3.5 GPA. Hignett ended the season with an overall singles record of 20-13. He also came out ahead in conference play (3-1) as well as in doubles competition (25-14).
2011-12 (Freshman Season)
Hignett posted an overall singles record of 9-8 and an overall doubles record of 30-9, which is competitive for fourth all-time for most doubles wins in a season. He received the Mountain West Academic All-Conference Award for spring 2012. He also won the UNM Balloon Fiesta doubles title with partner Ben Dunbar. Hignett defeated the number nine seed at the ITA Regional Invitational, University of Idaho’s Marius Cirstea, in the first round of singles.
Prior to UNM
Hignett (“Higgs”) is a 2011 graduate from Reed’s School in Cardife, Wales. He won the World’s School Championship and the British Junior Indoor Championship in singles. He was ranked in the top five British Juniors.
Personal
He is the son of Jenny and John Hignett and has two siblings, Christopher and Rachel. His sister Rachel plays for the Wales girl’s football team. He enjoys listening to music and playing soccer. His favorite athlete is Rafael Nadal. He plans to major in Exercise Science.