When SIUC senior Sanem Berksoy came to the United States as an exchange student in 1993, she had no idea what the next five years had in store for her.

Berksoy came to the United States as an exchange student at East Moline United Township High School in East Moline from Istanbul, Turkey. In her senior year at East Moline, Berksoy placed seventh in the 1993 IHSA State Tournament.

Prior to her arrival, Berksoy was a member of the Turkish National team where she was ranked No. 2 in the 18-and-under age group.

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After an easy transition from club tennis in Turkey to a more team-oriented style in the United States, Berksoy was given the opportunity to further her education and continue playing tennis at SIUC.

When I came to visit, I met the players and the coach. I liked the team, Berksoy said. Plus they had the program [engineering] I wanted.

In almost four years at SIUC, Berksoy has raked in numerous academic and athletic awards. One of her greatest achievements on the court came Sunday against Wichita State University as she became the all-time winningest women’s tennis player at SIUC, tying Maureen Harney with 119 career singles victories.

I didn’t have much expectations when I came here, Berksoy said. This [tying the record] wasn’t expected. I worked hard over the years, so it’s an honor to be recognized with the top players ever to play here.

Berksoy’s only expectations after her arrival at SIUC was to play consistently and continue improving throughout each match. She has done just that in becoming the only Saluki ever to post three 30-win seasons.

Along with her all-time career victories record, Berksoy’s career record of 119-39 places her third all-time career winning percentage with a .752 mark.

Now that Berksoy has tied the record for most career victories, she will attempt to surpass Maureen Harney to become the sole record holder as the Salukis face the University of Evansville, today in Evansville, Ind.

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Tennis has always been individual sport for me, Berksoy said. I’ve learned that the team performance is more important, and I have to do what I can to help the team.

Topping her performance on the tennis courts, Berksoy has excelled even higher in the class room. Berksoy, who will celebrate her 23rd birthday April 26, is a mechanical engineering major with a 3.97 GPA. She was named an ITA Scholar Athlete All-American last fall.

Berksoy has received numerous other academic and athletic awards in the past four years. Most recently, she was awarded the Saluki Booster Club Scholar-Athlete award, the Daily Egyptian Senior Athlete of the Year award, the Virginia Gordon Scholar-Athlete Award and was named Athlete of the Year at the 1998 Saluki Letter Winners Banquet Sunday night.

Known as a quiet leader on and off the court, Berksoy once approached coach Judy Auld to apologize for receiving a B in one of her classes. She felt that she had let herself, her coach and most of all the team down.

She is a very well-balanced person who enjoys the challenge of the classroom and finds tennis as a relief from the class, Auld said. She’s the type of student-athlete that you would want to coach. She is a good role model for everyone.

Berksoy has suffered few disappointments in her four-year stay at SIUC. But losing to Indiana State University in the Missouri Valley Conference in both her sophomore and junior years would be the biggest, according to Berksoy.

Berksoy and the Salukis were able to redeem themselves April 5, defeating Indiana State 5-4.

It is an added confidence before the [MVC] tournament begins, Berksoy said.

As the Salukis’ season nears its end and graduation looms, Berksoy plans to continue her education in graduate school at Penn State University, to study aircraft propulsion.

She has so many achievements, and her success is so unselfish, Auld said. She is going to be a successful person in whatever it is she decides to do.

The SIUC women’s team finishes its regular season by facing the University of Evansville today. The MVC Championships begin April 24, in Terre Haute, Ind.