GREENSBORO, N.C. – Whenever a member of the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's tennis team is tempted to give in to adversity, all they have to do is glance at their teammate, Hanna Giddings.
A fountain of inspiration and persistence, Giddings is sitting out the 2021-22 season after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament this past summer.
Instead, of sulking and feeling sorry for herself, Giddings has transformed her pain into purpose. She's there for her teammates. The affable Giddings is determined to return stronger than ever. She's enthusiastically attacking rehab sessions. Showing up to every team activity on time and leading the way with her actions and positive attitude.
"To say I am devastated would be an understatement especially being towards the end of my career," Giddings said. "This recovery process has been long and hard, and I have had times where I have questioned if I would make it back out on the court.
"I have taken on a much different role this year, one that I am all too familiar with. Even though I'm not competing, I show up every day to practice, weights, conditioning and make sure I'm there, supporting and cheering them on. "I'm making every effort possible to be a resource to the rest of the team through this non-competing phase.
A redshirt junior majoring in therapeutic recreation, Giddings will travel with UNCG when it competes in the second Elon Phoenix Invitational this weekend. UNCG competes Saturday and Sunday. Giddings will be leading the way and doing what she can to make sure the Spartans are at their best.
This is UNCG's second tennis tournament this fall, which is another key component in building the program for a special spring season.
"All the girls are super excited to get out there and compete this weekend," Giddings said. "We didn't get a fall season last year due to COVID, so we are looking to get back into the swing of things and hopefully get some wins under our belt. We have three new additions to the team this year. They are all going to be assets. The team chemistry is looking great and I'm excited to see what this year has in store for us."
This past spring, Giddings led UNCG with nine singles victories. She opened the season with six consecutive singles wins.
Impressive, considering she tore her labrum in her right shoulder in her freshman year.
"It took me out for my very first season of college tennis," Giddings said. "Knowing that I was not going to be able to compete with my team was such a crushing feeling especially since that had been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Rehab is never fun and can be mentally and physically draining, but I was determined to get back into the best possible shape for the following year."
Giddings started playing tennis when she was 7 and in tournaments when she was 8. 
"I had the opportunity to work with an amazing coach, Stewart Russell throughout my junior career who had such a big impact on my life," Giddings said. "Throughout the recruiting process, I think I took about five visits here at UNCG and knew that this was where I wanted to be from day one. I have made lifelong friends while being here and have enjoyed every second of my athletic experience."
Off the tennis courts, Giddings enjoys hiking, photography, and working out. The last show she binged watched was Peaky Blinders, one she highly recommends. Giddings has a goal of attending occupational therapy school after she graduates.
She has leaned on her family and her resilient spirit to help her through the tough times of not playing this year.
"Very influential people in my life have always told me they have never met a strong person with an easy past," Giddings said. "Whether it be in life or athletics there will always be failures or setbacks, but all you can do is control the controllable and push yourself to get one percent better every day."
NOTES: Saturday's start time will be 1 p.m. at Piedmont Indoor Courts. The Spartans will be playing two rounds of doubles. Sunday's slate will be at Elon, weather permitted.
