Ria Bhakta

Class:
Freshman
High School:
California Connections Academy
Hometown:
Delray Beach, Fla.

2023-2024 (FRESHMAN)

Big Ten Player of the Week (4/10), the first Spartan to receive the award since 2019 … Finished the season as the ITA’s No. 95-ranked singles competitor … Led the team with 30 total wins … Had an impressive 17-5 record in singles play through the year, including a 10-3 mark in dual match play … Played on courts No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5, went 3-1 on courts No. 3/5 and 4-1 on court No. 4 … Went 2-2 in conference play … Defeated No. 19-ranked Julia Fliegner in the dual against Michigan in three sets (4-6, 6-4, 1-0 [11-9]) … Defeated Rutgers Amira Badawi, 6-4, 6-1 in her B1G Championships debut … Went 10-7 overall in doubles play including a 7-5 mark in dual matches. Partnered with fellow Spartan Issey Purser six times with a 4-2 record.

PERSONAL
Daughter of Rajesh and Geetha Bhakta... Has one brother, Rishi... Her father competed in track & field, cricket, and field hockey at St. Aloysius College and University of Mysore, India... Prior to arriving at MSU, she attended California Connections Academy in San Juan Capistrano, California... Ranked no. 1 in USTA National Rankings, won the USTA Winter National Championships Singles Gold Ball in 2019... won six Jr ITF singles titles and nine doubles... Currently majors in Business,