Irina Lykina Named All-Big 12

NORMAN, Okla. Oklahoma sophomore Irina Lykina was recognized as an All-Big 12 women's tennis singles player as announced by the league offices Tuesday. It marked the fourth consecutive year the Sooners placed a student-athlete on the All-Big 12 team.

Lykina's athletic commitment also carried over into the classroom as she was one of four Sooners named to the Academic All-Big 12 team last week.

“This is a great honor for Irina,” head coach Mark Johnson said. “It shows that all the coaches around the conference have a lot of respect for her and her ability.”

Lykina, hailing from Kazan, Russia, played at the top singles position for Oklahoma over the course of the season and was one of five to post 10 or more victories. In addition, Lykina upset TCU's Helena Belsovic, currently ranked No. 40 nationally, in a three-set match.

Oklahoma finished the regular season with an overall record of 14-11 and a 4-7 mark in Big 12 play. After suffering a first-round loss to Kansas State (4-3) in the Big 12 Championships, the Sooners will wait to see if they receive an at-large bid to be one of 64 teams competing in the 2005 NCAA Championships. The announcement will be made Wednesday, May 4 at 3:30 p.m. (CST).

2005 BIG 12 WOMEN'S TENNIS AWARDS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Zuzana Zemenova, Baylor, Fr.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Zuzana Cerna, Baylor, So.

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Zuzana Zemenova, Baylor, Fr.

COACH OF THE YEAR
Scott Jacobson, Nebraska, 13th season

All-Big 12 Team
Singles
Zuzana Zemenova, Baylor, Fr.**
Kendra Strandemo, Colorado, Sr.
Tamar Kvaratskhelia, Kansas State, Fr.
Maria Rosenberg, Kansas State, Sr.
Katka Sevcikova, Missouri, Sr.
Gitte Ostermann, Nebraska, Sr.**
Irina Lykina, Oklahoma, So.
Iryna Tkachenko, Oklahoma State, Fr.
Petra Dizdar, Texas, So.**
Mia Marovic, Texas, Jr.
Helga Vieira, Texas A&M, Sr.
Lauren Walker, Texas A&M, Sr.

Doubles
Zuzana Cerna/Daniela Covello, Baylor
Kendra Strandemo/Jessica Vanderdys, Colorado
Gitte Ostermann/Katie Garcia, Nebraska
Kendra Strohm/Katie Ruckert, Texas
Anna Lubinsky/Lauren Walker, Texas A&M
Tara Browning/Lakann Wagley, Texas Tech

** - Unanimous Selection

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors