Women's Tennis Garners Several All-Conference Awards

[PonyPride]

Women's Tennis Garners Several All-Conference Awards
Briceno Named Newcomer of the Year; Bubien Named First Team, Francis Named Second


April 29, 2008

IRVING, Texas (SMU/C-USA)--The SMU women's tennis team was honored with several All-Conference awards, as announced by the league Tuesday. Natalia Bubien garnered first-team accolades, while Pavi Francis was named second team. Bubien and Francis were selected to the All-Conference Doubles Team and Nicole Briceno was named Newcomer of the Year.

Briceno, a sophomore transfer from Alabama went 9-8 this spring, including a 4-1 mark at the No. 3 singles spot. She closed the season on a three-match winning streak in singles and defeated league foes Tulsa, Houston and Southern Miss. In doubles, Briceno went 13-7 overall, but was an impressive 10-2 at the No. 2 spot with partner Kseniia Tokarieva before Tokarieva went down with an injury. Before the injury broke up the tandem, they had been ranked as high as No. 38 after taking out the then-No. 21 pair from Duke.

Bubien was ranked as high as 73rd in the country in the ITA polls this spring. She compiled a 12-8 (.600) record at No. 1 singles this season, defeating then-38th-ranked Kelcy Tefft of Notre Dame in straight sets and beating opponents from Southern Miss, Arkansas State, Notre Dame, Louisville, Oklahoma State, Brown and Harvard. Bubien was named C-USA Player of the Week on Feb. 12 for her efforts.

Francis notched a 12-7 (.632) record, including an 8-6 (.571) mark at No. 2 and a 4-1 (.800) mark at No. 3 this season She defeated opponents from Southern Miss, Louisiana-Lafayette, Arkansas State, UNLV, TCU, Houston, NC State and Brown. Among her achievements this spring, Francis played four matches of three sets and won all four.

Bubien and Francis paired at No. 1 doubles and first entered the ITA rankings after defeating the No. 1 doubles pair in the country. The duo is currently ranked No. 42 in the polls, after winning their last eight straight matches. The tandem compiled a team-best 15-4 record this season, with their only losses coming to Harvard, the then-5th-ranked pair from Duke, the then-11th-ranked pair from TCU and a pair from Texas Tech.

[Higher Authority]

Nice work, ladies. The team kind of jumped the tracks this year, but it's nice to see some Mustangs recognized for stellar individual performances.