Career Resume
Heidi Lehman was a member of the women's tennis team from 2005-2008. She is No. 1 overall in career victories for women's tennis with 83 overall wins; No. 1 in career singles in women's tennis history with 52 singles victories; No. 1 in career doubles with 31 doubles victories. Lehman was awarded the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year honor for 2007-08. She is ranked third overall in singles victories in a season with 14, and fifth overall in doubles victories in a season with 23. She was an All-Heartland Conference selection for 2006-07, as well as Second Team Academic All RMAC and First Team All-RMAC in singles for 2007-08.
Lehman earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University Billings in 2008 before earning her Masters in secondary education in 2011 from MSUB as well.
Feature Story: Heidi Lehman Wrapping Up Stellar Career at MSUB (By: Joe Kusek/Billings Gazette, 4/22/2008) - Original Publication
Academic scholarship in hand, Heidi Lehman could have attended any university or college in the state of Montana following high school graduation.
With a tennis racquet in the other hand, Lehman opted to stay home and attend Montana State Billings.
"I could go to school and play tennis," explained the Billings Senior graduate.
Funny thing, she really hasn't been home much the last four years.
"I'm working as a house sitter," Lehman said. "I go from house to house."
The house-sitting jobs range in time from days to weeks to months. "My parents are really good at getting me messages," she added with a smile.
The number of addresses she's called home even eludes her.
"Too many to count," said Lehman, smiling again. "A lot.
"I have a bag with my essentials … and I guess a couple of bags of clothes. My tennis gear is always in my car, ready to go."
Tennis.
It's been the one consistent element in Lehman's four years as a Yellowjacket. Almost every day after classes - she is a biology major with a minor in chemistry - Lehman could be found at the MSUB tennis bubble, improving her game.
"Tennis has been the one constant," she said of balancing difficult classes, travel for athletics and the house sitting.
It's what made her the centerpiece of an MSUB women's tennis team that is unbeaten in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and the No. 1 seed in this weekend's league tournament in Kearney, Neb.
The winner of the RMAC tournament, which starts Friday, receives an automatic berth into the NCAA Division II regional tournament.
Lehman, a senior, is 8-5 at No. 1 singles this year and an impressive 6-0 in league matches. She takes a six-match win streak into the weekend.
"I'm just going out there, doing my thing," said the humble Lehman.
She is also 4-9 in doubles play with partner Johnna Beatty.
A long and lean cerebral player with fluid strokes and the ability to change directions, according to MSUB head coach Jerry Peach, Lehman's victims this year have included preseason No. 1 pick Teri Mayeda of Mesa State and Brianna Harris of Division I Utah State. Three of Lehman's losses have come to Division I opponents this spring.
"When you play better players, you can only get better," she said. "You learn from games like that and you can incorporate what they have into your game."
Not truly overpowering, "I have an ace every now and then,' Lehman said with a laugh, she relies on sharp angles and changing speeds on her shots.
"I try to mix it up," said Lehman of her approach. "I just try to play to my strengths. Each player has their own strengths and you have to find success where you can. I try to keep my opponent on their toes. I'm always thinking about my shots when I play."
A multi-sport athlete at Senior where she also played basketball, volleyball and ran cross country, tennis has always been her passion.
"I like everything about the game," she said, her voice rising in enthusiasm. "It's the ultimate.
"You play to your physical ability, to your mental ability, you have to fight for every point.
"Tennis is a game of intuition, quick reflexes and working in the moment. It's a great game."
And it can bring mixed emotions.
An early-season tournament at the University of Montana was a family affair with younger sister Cara Lehman playing for the Lady Griz, while brother Travis plays for the Yellowjacket men's program.
While her heart belonged to her sister, Heidi Lehman's loyalty was to her teammates.
"All three of us at the Montana tournament, that was neat," said Lehman. "You want to cheer for your sister, but then you'd be also cheering against your teammate. I know my sister felt the same way. We just clapped."
This is Lehman's and MSUB's third conference in four years. The Yellowjackets have also played against opponents from the Pacific West Conference and the Heartland Conference before joining the RMAC this year.
"Each team you play is unique," she said. "It's been a great experience. I've played teams from Hawaii to California to Texas. We played paddle ball at Venice Beach (Calif.) that was unforgettable. It's been a great experience."
Lehman has balanced tennis travel against a difficult class schedule heavy on the science. She carries a grade point average of 3.46 and plans to apply to dentistry school in the near future.
"Time management, that's the key," she said with a soft laugh. "At MSUB, I've had great teachers, great professors, who have helped me. With the smaller classes, you get that individual attention. They want you to do well and to succeed when you graduate."
And that includes on the tennis court.
"All four years here have been great," Lehman said. "This season has been exceptional."
