
Photo by: Josh Hollwarth
Sears Earns WAC Honors
11/6/2023 2:32:00 PM | Women's Tennis
ARLINGTON, Texas – Abilene Christian's Olivia Sears and Grand Canyon's Natasha Puehse and Santa Strombacha have been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Women's Tennis Players for the month ending on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Sears (So.) was awarded the Women's Singles Player of the Month after going 5-2 in October. Sears started the month going 1-1 in the ACU Invite, collecting a win against New Mexico State's Valeriia Ivanovskia (6-2, 6-2) after falling early to Tarleton State's Martha Makantasi (6-1, 6-3). Sears had another 1-1 performance in the ITA Texas Regionals in Waco where she defeated Lamar's Leah Kuruvilla (6-2, 6-1) in the first round, but fell in the second round to UTSA's Vittoria Baccini (6-3, 6-3). Sears finished up the Fall season strong by going 3-0 in the Wildcat Invite, picking up wins against Tarleton State's Elsa Boisson (7-6 [7-3], 7-5), UTEP's Z. Szczpanska (6-1, 6-3), and Texas State's Andrea Pineda (6-3, 6-3).
"Olivia has had a really solid fall season," said ACU Head Coach Bryan Rainwater. "We have asked her to play high in the lineup this year and she has answered the call! Extremely proud of the work she has put in this fall. She had a great spring last year as a freshman and we are expecting nothing less for her sophomore year!"
2023 TicketSmarter WAC Women's Tennis Players Monthly Awards
WOMEN'S SINGLES PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Dania Deaifi, So., Grand Canyon (Sept)
Olivia Sears, So., Abilene Christian (Oct)
WOMEN'S DOUBLES PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
Natasha Puehse, Gr., and Santa Strombacha, Sr., Grand Canyon (Sept)
Natasha Puehse, Gr., and Santa Strombacha, Sr., Grand Canyon (Oct)
Sears (So.) was awarded the Women's Singles Player of the Month after going 5-2 in October. Sears started the month going 1-1 in the ACU Invite, collecting a win against New Mexico State's Valeriia Ivanovskia (6-2, 6-2) after falling early to Tarleton State's Martha Makantasi (6-1, 6-3). Sears had another 1-1 performance in the ITA Texas Regionals in Waco where she defeated Lamar's Leah Kuruvilla (6-2, 6-1) in the first round, but fell in the second round to UTSA's Vittoria Baccini (6-3, 6-3). Sears finished up the Fall season strong by going 3-0 in the Wildcat Invite, picking up wins against Tarleton State's Elsa Boisson (7-6 [7-3], 7-5), UTEP's Z. Szczpanska (6-1, 6-3), and Texas State's Andrea Pineda (6-3, 6-3).
"Olivia has had a really solid fall season," said ACU Head Coach Bryan Rainwater. "We have asked her to play high in the lineup this year and she has answered the call! Extremely proud of the work she has put in this fall. She had a great spring last year as a freshman and we are expecting nothing less for her sophomore year!"
2023 TicketSmarter WAC Women's Tennis Players Monthly Awards
WOMEN'S SINGLES PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Dania Deaifi, So., Grand Canyon (Sept)
Olivia Sears, So., Abilene Christian (Oct)
WOMEN'S DOUBLES PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
Natasha Puehse, Gr., and Santa Strombacha, Sr., Grand Canyon (Sept)
Natasha Puehse, Gr., and Santa Strombacha, Sr., Grand Canyon (Oct)
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