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May 13, 2014

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Virginia head coach Mark Guilbeau, associate head coach Troy Porco, sophomore Danielle Collins (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and freshman Rachel Pierson (Princeton, N.J.) have earned ITA Atlantic Region awards, the organization announced Tuesday (May 13).

Guilbeau was named Wilson/ITA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season and third overall, while Porco earned ITA Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year honors. Collins was named the ITA Atlantic Region Player to Watch and Pierson earned the Atlantic Region’s Rookie of the Year honor.

Guilbeau and Porco have guided the Cavaliers to a school-best 23 wins en route to a share of their first ACC regular-season title and ACC Championship title this season. The duo has guided the Cavaliers to four straight NCAA Round of 16 berths. Virginia also posted its second victory over a top-ranked team in school history, defeating then-No. 1 Duke, 5-2, on Feb. 21. In addition, Guilbeau captured his 300th career win against Youngstown State last Friday. Guilbeau also earned ITA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year honors in 2011 and 2013, while Porco was also named top assistant coach in 2010 and 2012.

Collins, who transferred to Virginia from Florida, is ranked No. 32 in singles with a 28-10 overall record and 17-5 dual mark. The All-ACC performer was named ACC Championship Most Valuable Player after posting a 2-0 singles record and 3-0 doubles mark at the tournament. Collins will compete at the NCAA Singles Championship on May 21-26.

Pierson, who has been ranked as high as No. 39 in singles, has posted a 31-14 singles record and 28-11 doubles record with Julia Elbaba (Oyster, N.Y.). Pierson’s 31 victories are tied for fifth on UVa’s single-season wins list. Pierson, who earned All-ACC honors, is currently ranked No. 7 in doubles with Elbaba. The duo will compete in the NCAA Doubles Championship on May 21-26.

Guilbeau, Porco, Collins and Pierson are now candidates for ITA National Awards, announced Tuesday, May 20 at the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships in Athens, Ga.

No. 3 seed Virginia (23-5) plays No. 14 seed Baylor (26-6) in the round of 16 at the 2014 NCAA Women’s Tennis Championship on Thursday, May 15. First serve at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex on the campus of the University of Georgia is set for 12 p.m.

Wilson/ITA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year
Mark Guilbeau, Virginia

ITA Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year
Troy Porco, Virginia

ITA Atlantic Region Player to Watch
Danielle Collins, Virginia

ITA Atlantic Region Rookie of the Year
Rachel Pierson, Virginia

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