Women's Tennis Receives Five ITA Regional Awards
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ATHENS, Ga. – The Virginia women’s tennis team received five ITA Atlantic Region awards, the organization announced this week. Four members of the program were honored for a 2012 season that saw the Cavaliers post a 20-7 record and reach the NCAA Round of 16 for the second consecutive year.
Emily Fraser (Rye, N.Y.) received two awards, being named Atlantic Region Senior Player of the Year and the region’s nominee for the Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award. Ranked No. 22 in singles and No. 18 in doubles, she was selected to both the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships for a second consecutive year. An All-ACC selection, she has a 27-13 singles record this season, playing mostly at the No. 1 position.
Lindsey Hardenbergh (Fairfax Station, Va.) was the region’s nominee for the Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship. Virginia’s all-time leader in career singles and doubles wins, Hardenbergh is the first Cavalier to be selected to three NCAA Singles Championships. An All-ACC selection, she has a 32-12 singles record this season and is currently ranked No. 43 nationally.
Li Xi (Kumning, China) was named the Atlantic Region Player to Watch, given to someone expected to be one of the top returning players in her region next season and is expected to contend for an ITA regional title. Xi is 24-14 this season in singles and ranked No. 118 nationally, despite missing nearly a month this spring due to injury.
Troy Porco was named Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year, earning the award for the second time. He was also named the region’s top assistant coach in 2010. Coaches are not permitted to win the award in consecutive years.
All are now candidates for the ITA National Awards, announced in Athens on May 22 on the day of the NCAA Tournament men’s and women’s championship matches.
Virginia returns to action in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday with a round of 16 match against third-seeded Duke. Match time at the Dan Magill Tennis Center is 4 p.m.