Madison, Wis. - Each week during the 2025-26 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q&A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.
Graduate student
Tasha Bailey of
Wausau (West) is a four-year member of UWL's tennis team. She won the No. 2 singles title at the 2021 WIAC Championships and placed second at No. 2 doubles with Katilyn Kalinka. At the 2023 league championships, Bailey was second at No. 1 singles and second at No. 2 doubles with
Lauren Lindow. Last season, Bailey placed third at No. 1 singles and second at No. 1 doubles with
Shelby Roth at the WIAC Championships.
Tasha Bailey has won
104 career matches at UWL.
She is 51-20 in career singles, including 7-3 this year. Bailey is 56-23 in doubles with a 16-2 mark in 2025-26.
She is a sport management major and psychology minor.
Why did you choose UW-La Crosse?
I chose UWL because I liked the size of the school along with the faculty to student ratio. I also liked the tennis team dynamic when I came for my recruit visit.
What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
I like being a student-athlete at the Division III level because I like being able to focus on every aspect in life that is important to me. I enjoy the WIAC because it is good competition and I get to play against new players and past that I have known through high school and USTA.
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver's? Grilled cheese and a corn dog
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus? The E Cafe in the basement of the Union
TV Show? The Walking Dead
Holiday? Halloween
Food? Bread
Animal? Jellyfish
Smartphone App? TikTok
Musical Group or Artist? Sabrina Carpenter
Professional Sports Athlete or Team? Aryna Sabalenka
Vacation Spot? Greece
What is your greatest sports moment?
This year at ITA's was a great moment for me as I beat the fifth-seed to make it to the quarterfinals.
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
My favorite things to do are play pickleball, our monthly holidays parties, and eating food.
Who is someone that you look up to?
I would say my dad because he played tennis his whole life and has been my coach since I was seven.
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
The advice I would give would be to put yourself out there and bond with your teammates.
One word that describes you?
Fierce.
What is your dream job?
Working on the production team for
Love Island UK.
Three things on your "bucket list"?
See all seven wonders of the world
Skydiving
Going on
Survivor
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
Graphic Design.
What's your dream sporting event to attend?
Wimbledon.
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
Listening to music before matches.
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