May 16, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas - After knocking off 18th-ranked Texas on Saturday to earn its first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, the 16th-ranked TCU women's tennis team grabbed more regional accolades this week as several players earned Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) awards.
Senior Gloriann Lopez was named the ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recipient for the 2006 season. Lopez, the team captain, finished the regular season with a record of 16-3. The ITA/Arthur Ashe Award goes to a player who has exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
Currently riding a 19-match win streak and ranked 28th in the singles poll, Helena Besovic was named the ITA Senior Player of the Year for her efforts during the 2006 campaign. Hailing from Sarajevo, Bosnia, Besovic posted a record of 30-7.
Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year Anna Sydorska added her second all-freshman plaudit to her resume by receiving the ITA Rookie of the Year award. Sydorska is ranked 115th in singles play and holds the No. 18 ranking in doubles alongside Besovic.
Jefferson Hammond was named the Southwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year. Hammond came to the Metroplex in the fall of 2004. Since his arrival, the Frogs have reached the NCAA Tournament twice and have been ranked among the nation's top 20 each of the last two seasons.
The Frogs return to action on Thursday at 8 p.m. (CST) when they make their first-ever appearance in the Sweet 16. TCU will battled top-ranked and host Stanford in Palo Alto, Calif., for the right to move one step closer to the 2006 NCAA Championship.
