Delsart named MVC Women's Tennis Freshman of the Year
04/22/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
April 22, 2010
By Michael Benson
www.SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo.-Melanie Delsart has earned the Missouri Valley Conference's Freshman of the Year award, becoming the first Saluki to get the honor since the award's inception in 2000.
The league made the announcement late Thursday, in which they unveiled the all-MVC teams for both men's and women's tennis, along with other specialty awards.
In addition, the Buenos Aires, Argentina, native was tabbed to the MVC All-Select team.
"We are extremely excited to have Melanie honored as freshmen of the year," said Saluki head coach Audra Nothwehr. "It is a great award to receive. She has worked very hard this year and truly has matured over this season into a more positive player."
Delsart led Southern Illinois and all MVC freshmen with a 13-8 record in singles during 2010, in addition to a 15-7 mark with partner Martina Vianna Ce. Her 13 wins in singles was the most by a Saluki freshman since 2007, when Vianna Ce tallied 14 and Jessica Flannery notched 13.
After beginning the season 4-5, Delsart reeled off six straight singles wins - including a victory over the previously undefeated Kate Chybowski of Evansville - and finished the year winning nine of her last 12 matches.
Wichita State dominated the all-conference selections, taking seven of the nine slots in women's and 11 of 18 overall. The other seven were taken by Illinois State. WSU's Luftiana Budiharto was named the women's player of the year, while Drake's Mauricio Ballivian and ISU's Timon Reichelt earned men's player of the year honors.
The men's freshman of the year is Alexander Pelaez of Illinois State. Coaches of the year are Cris James (men) and Chris Hoover (women), both of ISU.
The Salukis will begin play at the 2010 MVC Tennis Championship Friday, when they take on the Drake Bulldogs in a 9 a.m. match.
Players Mentioned
