Jan. 22, 2013

IRVING, Texas - Senior Courtney Collins was named Conference USA Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday morning. The honor is the third of Collins' career and first this season.

Collins competed in four singles matches last week, and the first ones of her senior campaign after sitting out most of the fall to recover from shoulder surgery. Collins posted a 3-1 record including a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Kansas State's No. 15 Petra Niedermayerova. The veteran also picked up wins over Lipscomb's Deahna Welcher (6-4, 6-2) and UT Martin's Ivon Simic (6-1, 6-1). Collins' lone loss came at the hands of Georgia's No. 8 Lauren Herring, 6-3, 6-0.

"To be out of competition for six months and come back like she did shows a lot of character," said head coach Lee Taylor Walker. "It's not easy to come back after an injury when expectations are so high. I am proud of her for just focusing on her effort and attitude and controlling what she can control. It's a great way to start the spring season for not only Courtney, but our entire team."

Collins and the Lady Tigers face Alabama this Saturday as part of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend in Tuscaloosa, Ala.