Courtesy: SWAC.org
Release: 04/13/2017
Jackson State earned the most recognition highlighted by a Player of the Year nod and one honor on the All-Conference Singles First Team and two additional pairings on the All-Conference Doubles First Team.
The Lady Tigers No. 1 position player Tyler Smith ran the table in conference play for an 8-0 record and was named the 2017 SWAC Women’s Tennis Player of the Year. The junior from Bermuda was also slotted onto the All-Conference Singles First Team.
Jackson State excelled on the Doubles First Team as well with Smith teaming with Lucia Solio to boast a 5-1 record to snag the No. 2 Doubles First Team selection while partners Dasha Butorina and Nina Zhang were 5-0 at the No. 3 doubles position to also earn First Team honors.
The All-Conference selections consists of a 12-player team. Members of the All-SWAC Team were decided based upon their conference records during regular season play of the combined two Round Ups that were hosted by Jackson State University from Feb. 24-25 and Alabama State University from March 17-18.
For consideration, a female player must have finished a minimum of five matches at a particular position. If athletes did not meet the match minimum, the player with the best record closest to the needed matches earned the award.
Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year votes were tabulated from a cast of ballots received from the school’s sports information directors and head coaches. The SWAC Coach of the Year will be given to the winner of the SWAC Championship.
Women’s Tennis
Player of the Year: Tyler Smith, Jackson State
Freshman of the Year: Anastasia Vaganova, Alcorn State
First Team All-SWAC
Singles
No. 1 Tyler Smith, Jackson State
No. 2 Marine Cartier, Alabama State
No. 3 Sydney Thomas, Prairie View A&M
No. 4 Shaddae Finley, Prairie View A&M
No. 5 Anastasia Vaganova, Alcorn State
No. 6 Danna Galeano, Grambling State
Doubles
No. 1 Tanaka Chakanyuka / Stephanie Mbaya, Southern
No. 2 Tyler Smith / Lucia Solio, Jackson State
No. 3 Dasha Butorina / Nina Zhang, Jackson State