Courtney Zensen
Courtney Zensen : 2025 Gulf South Conference Women’s Basketball All-Tournament Standout
When Courtney Zensen first stepped onto the court as a freshman for Union University, she wasn’t expecting to start right away. But basketball has a way of throwing players into the unexpected, and when an injury sidelined a teammate, Zensen was thrust into the lineup. The transition was nerve-wracking, but with time, the pressure eased.
Now in her sophomore season, the guard from Dunlap, Tennessee, has grown into a confident presence on the court, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team in Union’s Gulf South Conference (GSC) Championship win.
“It was awesome,” Zensen said about playing in the championship and winning the GSC title. “I’ve never really experienced that kind of environment where everyone is just a part of it. It was a really good moment.”
Zensen’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. At the start of her sophomore season, she found herself adjusting to a different role, shifting from a starter to fluctuating minutes. But as the season progressed, another injury opened the door for her to reclaim her role, bringing with it a new level of confidence.
“The pressure is still there,” she admitted. “I think I’m harder on myself this year because I’m more familiar with everything. I should know certain things and adjust as we go through the season.”
Her resilience paid off. In the GSC tournament, Zensen delivered two standout performances, shaking off previous struggles and embracing the moment. “This year, I’ve definitely been in the slumps a lot,” she said. “But coming back from the mental aspect of it, going into the tournament confident and focused, was really fun and helped with the things I was struggling with.”
Zensen’s love for the game started early, growing up around basketball with her father as a high school coach. “I was always at his practices, hanging out with his teams—I was just like a little manager,” she recalled.
Playing in a small-town environment came with high expectations. “There’s a lot of pressure since there aren’t a lot of great players, so having to lead a team and be almost perfect every game was a lot,” she said. “But I loved having my dad as a coach. He definitely pushed me and challenged me, but at the end of the day, he’s my family and loved me no matter what.”
Off the court, Zensen has another lifelong passion: animals. A zoology major, she’s always known she wanted to be a veterinarian. “I’ve always had a fascination with animals,” she said. “I grew up around a ton—dogs, cats, even two turtles. One of them is still alive and thriving.”
As Zensen looks ahead to the next two years, she hopes to continue fostering the team’s close-knit culture while stepping into a leadership role. “I just want it to be like this year—everyone on the team is so soft-hearted, and it really is a big family,” she said.
She knows that leadership will require mental toughness. “I’m not going to be able to have those slumps where I’m in my head,” she said. “I can’t think about myself. Coming back from those slumps and being mentally and physically in it will be important for me.”
Her parents play a huge role in supporting her, traveling four hours each way to watch her games. “It’s such a blessing,” she said. “They’re so supportive.”
Zensen doesn’t need to be the loudest voice on the court to make an impact. Her example speaks for itself. “I definitely feel like I have an impact, especially recently,” she said. “Sean [associate head coach] is always encouraging me and pointing out things I’m doing well that not everyone in the stands will notice. That’s been a huge help in realizing I’m more than just a shooter.”
At the end of the day, she wants to be remembered for one thing: her work ethic.
“I want to be known as a hard worker,” she said. “No matter what—in school, in basketball—I just want to be a hard worker.”
And with two years left in her Union career, there’s no doubt she’ll continue to make her mark.
