"Making it" could be the slogan for Penn State University tennis star Pilar Montgomery. For the first time, her Lady Lions made it to the NCAA Championships. Personally, she reassumed her ranking as PSU's No. 1 singles player after overcoming injuries. And as a senior, she reached her goal of earning All-Big Ten Conference honors for her outstanding play.

Montgomery used her lethal backhand and speed to topple the competition this year with a 29-11 singles record. Teaming up with doubles partner Rebecca Ho, the duo set an impressive 24-11 mark.

Montgomery is proud that this year's squad is the first in Penn State history to qualify for the NCAA Championships. The Lady Lions lost in the opening round of the tournament to Florida International, but the experience was invaluable to the team and Montgomery.

Even though her undergraduate career is over, Montgomery has endured the rigors of coming back from two shoulder surgeries to regain her stature on the tennis court. Hard work and mental toughness made it possible. Now, she'll use that same determination as she enters the next phase of her academic career.

Montgomery, a native of Santa Barbara, Calif., carried a double major in Sociology and Journalism. This fall, she enters Johns Hopkins University for nursing.

Although her future now lies with medicine, she doesn't plan to leave the tennis court behind altogether. "I hope to continue playing a little tennis here and there," says Montgomery. At age 11, she played tennis great Lindsey Davenport and considers her a role model today, in addition to her family. Growing up, her parents carted her all over the country watching her compete. Her brother Heath, who plays tennis and turned professional briefly, would even help with actual strokes and strategy.

But Montgomery will never forget her collegiate tennis career. "[Athletics] has given me discipline, focus and great friends," she says. "Plus, it gave me the chance to have the most amazing college experience ever."