May 4, 2012

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -All-Conference USA Singles First Team member Courtney Collins and Newcomer of the Year Tiffany Welcher headline the list of the University of Memphis women's tennis players placed on the All-Conference USA postseason awards list.

Welcher, Mariya Slupska and Stefanie Mikesz were placed on the All-Conference USA Singles Second Team and Alyssa Hibberd earned a third team nod. Welcher and Hibberd also teamed up to earn All-Conference USA Third Team Doubles accolades.

Collins, who earned first team honors for the second-straight year, finished the season with a 15-3 record and No. 34 national ranking, the highest ranked player in C-USA. The junior netter earned a bid to the NCAA Championships (Singles), making her the first Tiger in program history to make the NCAAs. Collins reached a career- and program-best No. 27 ranking on March 27.

Welcher's three conference awards this season are the most by a Tiger in a single season in the program's 37-year history. A senior from Clarksville, Ind., Welcher was 13-5 in singles and reached a season-high ranking of No. 117. Teaming with Hibberd to play No. 1 doubles for the Tigers, the duo posted a 9-4 record and were ranked as high as No. 28.

Slupska, last season's Newcomer of the Year and third team selection, was named to the second team. She posted a 17-4 record in singles and was ranked for the entire spring season, reaching a personal-high of No. 70.

After finishing the season 18-3, Mikesz earned her first all-conference honor with a selection to the second team. Mikesz finished the season ranked No. 90. She started the season as the 51st-ranked player, which was then the highest ranking a Tiger had ever received.

Hibberd's third team selection rounds out the list of awards for the U of M. The native of Sorrell, Tasmania notched a 13-6 record in singles as a freshman this season.

The Tigers ended their season with a 16-5 record and .762 winning percentage, the best in program history. Memphis also had its best showing in the Conference USA Championships, falling to No. 26 Tulsa in the semifinals, 4-3.

Collins will travel to Athens, Ga., to play in the NCAA Championships from May 23-28. Check GoTigersGo.com for updates on the NCAA Championship.

All-Conference USA Singles First Team
Dominika Zaprazna, Marshall
Courtney Collins, Memphis
Natalie Beazant, Rice
Dominique Harmath, Rice
Edyta Cieplucha, SMU
Mariam Kurdadze, Tulane
Anastasia Erofeeva, Tulsa
Samantha Vickers, Tulsa

All-Conference USA Singles Second Team
Giorgia Pozzan, Houston
Maria Voscekova, Marshall
Stefanie Mikesz, Memphis
Mariya Slupska, Memphis
Tiffany Welcher, Memphis
Emma Levy, Tulane
Isaura Enrique, Tulsa
Ewa Szatkowska, Tulsa

All-Conference USA Singles Third Team Kara Kucin, Marshall
Alyssa Hibberd, Memphis
Kimberly Anicete, Rice
Katie Gater, Rice
Elena Fayner, SMU
Caroline Thornton, Tulane
Bonny Davidson, Tulsa
Michelle Farley, Tulsa
Taylor Dubins, UCF

All-Conference USA Doubles First Team
Natalie Beazant/Dominique Harmath, Rice

All-Conference USA Doubles Second Team
Anastasia Erofeeva/Ewa Szatkowska, Tulsa

All-Conference USA Doubles Third Team
Alyssa Hibberd / Tiffany Welcher, Memphis

Specialty Awards
Co-Coaches of the Year: Elizabeth Schmidt, Rice and Dean Orford, Tulsa
Player of the Year: Natalie Beazant, Rice
Freshman of the Year: Natalie Beazant, Rice
Newcomer of the Year: Tiffany Welcher, Memphis
Outstanding Singles Player of the Championship: Natalie Beazant, Rice
Outstanding Doubles Team of the Championship: Natalie Beazant/Dominique Harmath, Rice