Marta Lesniak Selected Women's Tennis Team Captain

[PonyPride]

SMU W-Tennis: Marta Lesniak Selected Team Captain
Sophomore Ranks No. 39 Nationally

Sept. 10, 2009

DALLAS (SMU) --- Sophomore Marta Lesniak has been selected captain of the SMU women's tennis team for the 2009-10 season, announced head coach Lauren Longbotham-Meisner on Thursday. Lesniak will enter the 2009-10 campaign ranked 39th in singles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association as the Mustang attempt to defend their 2009 Conference USA title.

"Marta is our No. 1 singles player and an excellent leader," says Longbotham-Meisner. "Even though she is a sophomore, it is obvious by the team vote how much her teammates respect her on and off the court. Her leadership will be critical to helping us defend our Conference USA title and our chance to take the program to new heights in the NCAA Championship."

Lesniak was named the ITA Southwest Region Rookie of the Year a year ago. The 2009 C-USA Freshman of the Year and an All-Conference USA first-team pick, Lesniak finished her freshman campaign with a 14-1 record at the No. 1 spot for the Mustangs. She represented C-USA at the NCAA Women's Singles Championship next week by virtue of being the league's highest ranked player, at No. 59 concluding the regular season.

Lesniak and teammate Aleksandra Malyarschikova are ranked 13th in the country in doubles to start the season. Lesniak and Malyarschikova teamed together in doubles to advance to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Doubles Championship a year ago. The pair finished the season ranked No. 32 nationally with a 16-1 record overall and a 15-0 mark in dual matches.

[mathman]

Looking forward to a great season. Good luck ladies.