Sooners Garner ITA Regional Honors

NORMAN, Okla. – The Oklahoma women's tennis team had two players earn ITA Central Region awards Tuesday. Senior Abbi Melrose garnered Senior Player of the Year honors, making her the second consecutive Sooner to do so, while Lily Miyazaki was named the Rookie of the Year.

Melrose compiled an overall singles record of 20-13, including 9-8 in dual play. She finished the season by winning three of her final four matches that finished. In the fall, she won her bracket at the OU Fall Invite, defeating Makenzie Craft of Arkansas 7-5, 6-3 in the finals.

In doubles, she went an undefeated 6-0 at the No. 3 position, including 4-0 with freshman Christiana Brigante and 2-0 with junior Zita Engbroks. She finished her career with a 63-55 overall singles record and a 33-31 overall doubles record.

In addition, Melrose was recognized by the Big 12 Conference for her work off the court when she was named to the Academic All-Big 12 first team for the third consecutive year.

Miyazaki put together a stellar freshman campaign on her way to being named the All-Big 12 Singles Team, becoming the second Sooner overall to win Rookie of the Year. She compiled a 24-8 overall singles record and a 15-5 singles record at the No. 1 position in dual play. In doubles, her record stands at 14-10 overall and 10-7 in dual play.

The freshman sensation also won her bracket at the OU Fall Invite, defeating Shannon Hudson of Arkansas 6-3, 6-2 in the finals. In the spring, Miyazaki frequently held her own against some of the nation's top talent.

On Feb. 8, she defeated Nia Rose of Oregon, who is currently ranked No. 76, by a score of 6-3, 7-6. Miyazaki took the first set from 22^nd-ranked Ema Burgic of Baylor on March 15. She also took sets from 70^th-ranked Kenna Kilgo of Texas Tech twice and held a 4-3 second set lead over eighth-ranked Sydney Campbell of Vanderbilt in her most recent match. Miyazaki's match against Rose was the only of these that finished.

Both Miyazaki and Melrose were major contributors and leaders on a team that earned Oklahoma's third consecutive NCAA appearance, which hadn't been done at OU since 1996-98. The Sooners also advanced to the second round for the fourth time in program history and the third time under head coach David Mullins.