2013-14 (Freshman Season)
After posting a 6-3 singles record in the fall tournament season and 15-9 singles record in the regular season, Hopson finished her first season at UNM with an overall singles record of 21-12. She competed primarily in the No. 3 singles position for the Lobos. Hopson completed the 2014 Mountain West Championships with a singles record of 1-1-1. Her regular season was highlighted by her victory over Texas Tech’s All-Big 12 player, Lynn Kiro. She defeated Kiro 6-3, 6-2 when the Lobos traveled to Lubbock.
Hopson finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 16-7 in doubles. Hopson and teammate Natasha Smith teamed up for a 10-3 regular season record in the No. 2 doubles spot. During the fall, Hopson and Rachana Bhat posted an impressive 4-1 doubles record.
Hopson finished the season ranked 20th in the ITA Mountain Region singles rankings. She was one of two Lobos to earn a regional ranking in singles.
Hopson also received plenty of recognition for academic success during her first year at UNM. She was named to the 2014 Academic All-Mountain West team, designated a 2014 MW Scholar-Athlete, and was named a 2014 ITA Scholar Athlete.
Prior to UNM
Hopson is a 2013 graduate of Westlake HS in Austin, Texas. While playing at Westlake, she reached the semifinals of the Texas 5A state tournament despite playing with mononucleosis. She was privately coached by Chris Haggard. She was ranked as high as No. 2 in USTA Texas in Girls 18’s and 16’s category. Her highest national ranking by Tennis Recruiting was No. 73, with a highest state and regional (Gulf States) ranking of No. 2 in 2013. She was a two-time finalist at the Texas SuperChamps Excellence Tournament. Hopson finished in third place in doubles with Lobo teammate Emily Olivier at a USTA National Open in July 2013.
Personal
She is the daughter of Keith and Anne Hopson and the older sister of Eric Hopson. Her mother, Anne, played Division I tennis at the University of Arkansas where she was the university’s first female scholarship athlete. Her father played tennis, football and ran track at Austin College. Her aunt Beth Forney Reifsteck, played tennis on the men’s tennis team (Hendrix College), and her cousins Dr. Matt Forestiere and Captain, USMC Erik Forestiere played baseball (Baylor University).
Hopson is a nursing major at UNM. She enjoys reading, music, and hanging out with her friends when she’s not on the tennis court.
Head Coach Erica Jasper on Meredith Hopson
“Meredith struggled with an injury over the summer and into the fall—so she wasn’t playing her best tennis upon arrival back to Albuquerque. Luckily, Meredith worked exceptionally hard on her rehab and strength and conditioning work and wrapped up the fall playing some tough tennis. Always one of our hardest workers and competitors, she is someone we have a ton of confidence in. We’ll continue to look to Meredith to lead by example.”