DAVIS, Calif. – Truly embodying the essence of the student-athlete is Lena Svanholm of UC Davis women's basketball. The forward has excelled tremendously off the court, as she was recently accepted into UC Davis' Ph.D program for Chemistry and Chemical Biology. Svanholm has announced that she will return for her 'last dance' in the 2023-24 campaign, becoming the only known active NCAA Division I women's basketball student-athlete to be enrolled in such a program.
 
"I am absolutely thrilled that we get the chance to coach Lena for one more season," said Head Coach Jennifer Gross. "Lena has brought so much to our program throughout her time here. She is a kind and selfless teammate who sets the example every day with her disciplined work ethic, positive attitude, and drive to succeed. I'm so happy Lena will have the chance to accomplish more of her goals on the court here at UC Davis while pursuing her passions as a Ph.D student as well."
 
Svanholm arrived in Davis ahead of the 2019-20 season after transferring from Colorado State. Having to sit out her first season due to NCAA transfer restrictions, the Danish forward played a pivotal role in the Aggies' 2020-21 Big West Conference title run. That summer, Svanholm graduated with her bachelor's degree in German with a minor in chemistry. She had plans to complete her master's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry, so she would return for the 2021-22 season.
 
"After being in the master's program and doing a lot of research, I knew I wanted to continue to pursue this," Svanholm said. "This was a very unique opportunity to keep collaborating with my professors and continue my research."
 
Svanholm made a larger impact in the 2021-22 season, appearing in all 28 games. She has shot over 47% for her UC Davis career, grabbing over 100 rebounds.
 
Her dedication to her education has been evident since she stepped on campus as the Hoersholm, Denmark native speaks three languages: Danish, German, and English. By learning multiple languages, Svanholm has been able to immerse herself in a variety of different cultures during her athletic and academic journey. LENA SVANHOLM: MORE THAN AN ATHLETE
 
Balancing both basketball and this advanced program will be a tall task for the 6'6" forward, but with the help of her teammates, coaches, and professors, Svanholm feels well-equipped to handle the challenge.
 
"It will be challenging, but I have experience after doing this for six years," Svanholm continued. "I feel I am the most mature and experienced I have ever been, and I have others helping me along the way, so I'm ready for it."
 
She battled some adversity last season, missing all of 2022-23 with an injury that kept her on the sideline. However, Svanholm stayed the course and prepared herself both physically and mentally for a strong 2023-24 campaign. The coaching staff helped her discover a new route for her academic career, and after being accepted into the Ph.D program, Svanholm is poised for a huge return in her final season on the hardwood.
 
"We have a really supportive group," Svanholm said. "The coaches looked into a lot of different programs for me…they really wanted me to stay while elevating my academic career. Coach Jen has been a huge help and so extremely supportive throughout this process."
 
UC Davis looks to improve upon last season's fourth-place finish in the Big West standings. With Svanholm back in the fold, the Aggies are looking forward to the 2023-24 season, hoping to claim their first conference title since 2021.
 
"I'm super excited to play again and compete with my teammates, I really wanted to finish my career in the best possible way, experiencing my senior year while playing with my best friends and seeing a good end to my journey, culminating in one last experience."