Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2020
- Class:
- 1989
Jackie Holden starred for the Bulldog's women's tennis teams from 1986-89. Born in England, Holden came to State and set up quite the name for herself. Holden often played alongside another English teammate, named Claire Pollard. "We knew each a little bit," Holden said. "Having each other helped a lot. I think we helped and supported each other. It was a lot different being away from home. The way of life was a little different. There wasn't a lot to do in Starkville then, but we didn't really need it. We wanted to do well in school and we wanted to do well in tennis. We built a strong friendship. We went to classes in the morning, practiced in the afternoon and did homework in the evening. That was our routine. It was lovely to be in a situation where you could support other sports and learn about American collegiate athletics. There was a lot of things to support and be a part of. It was good to be in an environment where your education and your sport was so important. We had an amazing experience being able to travel all over the country."
Holden and Pollard are two of the most decorated players in program history and comprised State's best doubles team ever.
In 1989, Holden and Pollard claimed the SEC Doubles Championship before being crowned NCAA Doubles Champions to end their senior seasons. The tandem finished the year as the nation's top-ranked duo, receiving All-American and All-SEC recognition for their stellar performance. In addition, Holden and Pollard were named the 1989 Volvo Collegiate Series Doubles Team of the Year and earned main draw entries into the 1989 Wimbledon and U.S. Open Championships.
Holden and Pollard are tied for first all-time in MSU women's tennis history with 178 career victories each. Pollard still ranks first all-time in doubles wins with 111, while Holden follows in second with 106 victories. Both players are among State's career Top 10 in numerous singles and doubles categories and each excelled academically as Bulldogs as ITA Scholar Athletes and Academic All-SEC honorees.
Holden served as Pollard's Assistant/Associate Head Women's Tennis Coach at Northwestern from 2008-14, which saw the Wildcats advance to the NCAA Round of 16 six straight seasons and the national quarterfinals twice. NU finished all seven of Holden and Pollard's seasons coaching together in the ITA top 15, including the 2008 and 2009 campaigns ranked No. 2 nationally. In 2014, Holden was named the ITA Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
