Momei Qu is leading the way in academics and athletics, shining in each arena.

A course load of 25 credit hours is demanding enough for most college students, but factor in senior Momei Qu’s demanding schedule as a member of the University of Illinois women’s tennis team and a challenging double major such as computer engineering and business finance and it’s a wonder there are enough hours in the day to accomplish it all.

“When you know something has to be done, you can always find time to do it,” says the Beijing-born Qu, whose dedication to academics and athletics has made her a stand-out student-athlete for the Fighting Illini. “I get antsy if there is free time during my day. I can never just sit there and watch TV.”

Qu, who started playing tennis at age 10, has been recognized the last two years by Diverse as an Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar nominee, but this year she has been named the 2008 Arthur Ashe Female Sports Scholar of the Year.

“As a student-athlete she epitomizes the ideal individual,” says Shari Clapp, Qu’s academic advisor and who nominated her for the Ashe award. “She’s a strong young woman, and it was an obvious nomination in my eyes.”

Qu has been called the “most consistent contributor for the Illini in 2007,” posting a 17-11 record this year while maintaining a 3.9 cumulative grade point average. Qu’s achievements have gained national recognition. She was named to the first team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 5 twice and the Academic All-Big Ten twice. She was also voted the Illini Player to Watch in 2004 and is a three-time Intercollegiate Tennis Association Academic Scholar Athlete.

“She has a consistent game, she’s extremely fit and she can outlast her opponents,” says Michelle Dasso, Qu’s head coach. Dasso says Qu’s teammates respect her hard work on and off the court.

“They respect her because she’s a true student-athlete. She cares a great deal about school, internships and graduating. They look up to her for that,” she says. Because of Qu’s challenging academic regimen this semester, she was forced to miss most of the team’s practices. As an alternative, she practiced at 6:45 a.m. twice a week. “It’s hard for me to imagine that she got much sleep,” Dasso says.