University of North Texas Athletics
Tennis Celebrates 2012-13 Season
4/29/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
DENTON, Texas (4/28/13) – The North Texas tennis team celebrated its third Sun Belt Conference Championship in four years on Sunday night at its annual banquet.
“This was just a great evening of celebration to recognize the on and off the court accomplishment of this team,” head coach Sujay Lama. “It was also an opportunity to thank the seniors for all their contributions to the program and the university.”
The Mean Green capped off one of best seasons in school history with a victory over Georgia State in the SBC Championship, 4-2. Sunday’s banquet marked the last for the three seniors, Ilona Serchenko, Valentina Starkova and Barbora Vykydalova.
Team captain Vykydalova, who was named Most Valuable Player at the SBC Tournament, received the Most Valuable Player award for her campaigns at the No. 2 singles position as well as the No. 1 doubles position with Starkova.
Starkova tied with Serchenko for the Academic Award, which is given to the team member with the best GPA. The tennis team has the highest team GPA (3.52) at North Texas.
Franziska Sprinkmeyer was named Most Improved Player. Sprinkmeyer, who primarily played at the No. 4 singles position, recorded an 8-9 singles record as well as a 10-4 doubles record with partner Kseniya Bardabush.
Bardabush received the Player to Watch Award for the second straight season. Bardabush was named to the SBC All-Conference First Team in singles and SBC All-Conference Second Team in doubles with Sprinkmeyer.
Dané Joubert received the Catalina Cruz Spirit Award. The freshman was deemed as the player that gave off the most energy on the court for her teammates to feed off of and displayed the most positive energy both on and off the court.
Agustina Valenzuela took home the Strength and Conditioning Award for her persistent work ethic throughout the season. Valenzuela assembled a 9-3 record at the No. 6 singles position.
The Mean Green will find out its fate for the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday, April 30, at 4:30 p.m. North Texas will host a watch NCAA Selection Show party on the Club Level of Apogee Stadium at 4 p.m.
Awards
MVP – Barbora Vykydalova
Most Improved Player –Franziska Sprinkmeyer
Academic Award –Valentina Starkova & Ilona Serchenko
Catalina Cruz Spirit Award—Dané Joubert
Strength & Conditioning Award—Agustina Valenzuela
Player to Watch Award—Kseniya Bardabush
Players Mentioned
