Women's Tennis Begins Spring Season Ranked 23rd

[ER9TC4]

Preseason Ranking Is Highest Since 1989

The SMU women's tennis team will open the 2010 spring season ranked No. 23 in the nation, as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) this week. The No. 23 ranking is the highest preseason ranking for the program since 1989.

The governing body of collegiate tennis also released its preliminary spring singles and doubles rankings and sophomore Marta Lesniak will enter the 2010 dual campaign ranked No. 47 nationally in singles play, the highest ranking for a Mustang singles player since 1993. Fellow sophomore Aleksandra Malyarchikova begins the season ranked 76th in the country. Regionally, Lesniak is No. 5, while Malyarchikova comes in at No. 10.

In doubles, Lesniak is ranked at two positions, each with a different partner. Senior Pavi Francis and Lesniak teamed to win the doubles championship at the ITA Regional last fall and earned an automatic berth into the National Indoor Championships where they advanced to the consolation semifinals. For their efforts, they are ranked No. 2 in the Texas Region and No. 15 nationally. The pair's national ranking is the highest for an SMU duo since 1989. Lesniak and Malyarchikova, a tandem during the Mustangs 2009 C-USA Championship season, find themselves ranked at No. 30 in the country and No. 5 in Texas.

The doubles duo of senior Nicole Briceno and freshman Shahzoda Hatamova garnered a regional ranking as well, appearing at No. 9. Briceno and Hatamova also had a strong showing at the ITA Regional, as the duo advanced to the championship match of the consolation doubles draw.

At the conclusion of SMU's stellar 2009 season, Lesniak was named the ITA Southwest Region Rookie of the Year. 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.
Malyarchikova finished the 2009 season with a 14-1 record in singles play. Her best victory of the year came against No. 17 Arkansas, defeating then-No. 3 Ela Kaluder, 7-6, 6-0. In the NCAA Tournament she helped the Mustangs win their first round match over No. 39 Texas A&M with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over her opponent Christi Liles.

Lesniak and Malyarchikova advanced to the Round of 16 at the NCAA Doubles Championship a year ago. The pair finished the season with a 16-1 record overall and a 15-0 mark in dual matches, to finish the season ranked No. 32 nationally.

The defending conference champs begin the 2010 spring dual match season on January 22nd when they host Texas Pan-American at the Turpin Center at 9 a.m.

[centexstang]

This could be a fun spring with texas, a&m, tcu, baylor and others on the schedule.

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

NOTHING better than watching a Mustang tennis match..really a nice afternoon escape..highly recommended...Go Mustangs!!