Three Hogs bring in postseason honors
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas senior Aurelija Miseviciute brought home Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and All-SEC awards on Tuesday as announced by the conference office.
"We are extremely proud of all of our honorees this season," said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty. "These awards are voted by the leagues coaches which makes it all the more special."
Miseviciute captured the Player of the Year honor after posting a 35-3 overall record for the 2008-2009 season, as well as a perfect 10-0 record in SEC singles action. Ranked No. 2 nationally, Miseviciute has the most all-time wins in singles (120) and doubles (78) with teammate Ela Kaluder. It marks the second year in a row she gained Scholar-Athlete of the Year with her stellar 3.7 grade-point average, while also earning All-SEC First Team for the second straight season.Kaluder, a senior for Zagreb, Croatia, earned All-SEC honors for third-consecutive year after being named to the Second Team on Tuesday. Ela Kaluder finished 7-4 in conference action for singles, and hit the twenty win mark on the season for her fourth-straight year. In doubles, she and Miseviciute are ranked No. 54 after almost completing perfection with a 10-1 record against SEC foes. Sophomore Anouk Tigu put together a fine 2009 campaign earning her All-SEC Second Team honors with an excellent 25-5 overall record in singles. Playing Court 2 all season for the Hogs, Tigu is the only player besides Miseviciute ranked in singles and doubles. In singles Tigu sits at No. 74 while she and teammate Nanar Airapetian have been within the Top 25 all season long with a 21-11 overall record in doubles.
"The SEC is having a banner year so to have three players earn this honor is a fantasy performance," Hegarty said. "Hopefully the best is yet to come for our whole squad."
The 14th-ranked Razorback women’s tennis team won’t be back in action until Friday at 12:30 at the SEC Championships in Fayetteville. The second-seeded Hogs will face the winner of Thursday’s match against Ole Miss and LSU.
