Strength beyond power: Tia Clemens' evolution at No.1

From the moment she steps onto the court, the Bowling Green State University junior can overwhelm opponents with pace and aggression. She is one of the hardest hitters in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), a player capable of ending points in a matter of shots, and for much of her early career, that power was her calling card. Today, it's still there, but it's no longer the whole story.

Tia Clemens competes in the No. 1 spot for the women's tennis team, a position that guarantees there is no easing into a match. Every outing brings the opponent's best athlete, so there are no days off at the top of the lineup.

Her journey has been about learning how to handle that reality, transforming from a one-dimensional hard-hitter into a complete, resilient competitor. Along the way, she has drawn from a deeply competitive family legacy and discovered how to reset under pressure, one point at a time.

A Legacy of Intensity

Competition has always been the backdrop of Clemens' life. From her grandfather, Barry Clemens, who played in the NBA for more than a decade, to uncles who competed collegiately, a standard for preparation and competitiveness became a normal part of Clemens' life.

"The intensity was always there," Clemens said. "Our family is super, super competitive… Growing up around that definitely shaped my competitiveness and my intensity."

While outsiders might assume that kind of lineage brings pressure, Clemens views it differently.

"When I was younger, I kind of felt that [pressure], but now I don't feel as much pressure to live up to it," Clemens said. "I honestly feel inspired by it."

That inspiration often comes in the form of advice on performance and preparation. Clemens credits her family not with expectations, but with consistent support, especially from her grandfather.

"My grandpa has given me a lot of great tips and stuff just about performance and the mental side and just with competing," Clemens said. "Things to do when I'm not on the court to help get my body right, get my mind right. He's given me a lot of insight that's been helpful."

That pedigree, however, didn't make her recruitment a guarantee. Clemens had upside,but also risk. She possessed immense power but played a high-risk style that led to unforced errors.

"She has such a love for the game," head coach Mike Bonnell said. "Tia is a power player, and she can overwhelm opponents with her power… The recruiting process was all about her potential. She hadn't really crossed that line where all the schools would want her, and now, I think they would."

The Mental Side

Bonnell's assessment wasn't a knock, but a reflection of where Clemens stood as a young player. Her game was explosive, but risky, and that volatility followed her into college, where the mental demands became even more apparent.

"A lot of people don't realize how hard it is mentally," Clemens said. "Especially in singles, it's just you out there on the court, and nobody can affect the outcome of the match but you."

That really hit hardest during her sophomore season, when Clemens endured a stretch of close losses, many of them third-set battles. Being so close yet unable to get over the hump took a toll.

"It did a lot of damage because I was right there, but I just couldn't push through," Clemens said. "It was really frustrating and really hard."

Long phone calls with her father followed, filled with frustration and tears, but they also laid the foundation for growth. When Clemens returned to the court versus Toledo, the difference was obvious.

"It was the best match I played all season," Clemens said. "I won in straight sets, and I really feel like that was like the turning point for me, like, 'Hey, I can do this.'"

Since then, resetting under pressure has become intentional.

"I've worked a lot on myself mentally," Clemens said. "I would say the biggest thing for me is to find a way to like reset myself."

She does so through a simple ritual.

"Whether it's just closing my eyes or taking a few deep breaths," Clemens said. "I also have a little thing before every game where I go back to the curtain, and I touch my racket on the curtain. It's like my way of resetting for the next one and forgetting about everything else."

Finding Plan B & C

Along with her mental growth, Bonnell has seen significant growth in how Clemens constructs points. Early on, she relied heavily on offense and power. When it worked, she was dominant, but when it didn't, it left her vulnerable.

"It was always kind of a trend where she would overhit people, but then she'd ultimately make too many mistakes," Bonnell said. "She's done a really good job of adding some defense abilities and scrambling, living to fight another day… She's got more options. Plan B, Plan C."

Now, Clemens plays with layers. Power remains Plan A, but it's no longer her only option. She has developed the patience and mindset to scramble, extend points, and adjust mid-match.

That evolution has made her far more unpredictable, particularly against elite opponents at the top of the MAC. Along with improved defensive skills, Clemens has also focused on sharpening her serve and net play.

"I've worked a lot on my serve…it needed some improvement," Clemens said. "My volleys too… I've worked a little bit on everything."

These improvements across all facets of her game are a major reason she competes at the No. 1 spot and stands among the MAC's best.

Looking Ahead

As Clemens looks ahead to the season, her focus is less on statistics and more on growth, both individually and as a team. With a roster that continues to develop together, she believes competition is what will strengthen their bonds.

"Competing, I think, really is the biggest thing that brings teams together," Clemens said. "My hope is that we can all become closer in traveling and competing together and just really supporting each other and fighting for each other every match."

Individually, Clemens has set a demanding but simple goal: to finish the season as a better player than when she started. Rather than measuring success by wins alone, she wants to take something from every match.

"I want to be able to take something away from every single match, win or lose," Clemens said. "If I can take away something and use it to get better for the next one, that's my hope, that I just come out a better player than I started, and I can learn and grow from every match."

That mindset reflects her evolution as a competitor, one who now values patience, reflection and resilience alongside power. When fans watch her compete near the top of the lineup, Clemens hopes what stands out most is her determination.

"I just want them to see that I never give up," Clemens said. "No matter what the score is or who the opponent is, I never give up."

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