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Women's tennis ranked 15th in final ITA polls
Frogs finish 2006 season 23-7
June 5, 2006 FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU women's tennis team finished the 2006 season ranked 15th in the final ITA poll which ties the highest finish since the 1979-80 season. The Frogs' season was filled with many first and notable accomplishments. All indications from the outset proved the Frogs would have a strong year as the team began the 2006 season ranked 14th according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's preseason poll. Four Horned Frogs were ranked in the top 50 in singles, and one doubles duo placed in the top 50 as well. The No. 14 team billing tied a school record that was initially set in April 1982 and later equaled in February 2005. Having four Frogs ranked among the top 50 in singles was also a school record. The Frogs picked up their first big win of the season by knocking off seventh-ranked Vanderbilt 4-3 at the USTA/ITA National Team Indoors. Beating the Commodores tied a TCU school record for highest ranked team defeated. It was set initially last season in a win over, Clemson. After its run at the National Team Indoors, the Frogs leaped four spots in the polls to grab the No. 12 ranking which was the highest in program history. The 2006 campaign also marked TCU's inaugural season as a member of the Mountain West Conference and the Frogs quickly established dominance as the rookie member of the league. TCU went 8-0 versus MWC foes to win the regular-season title and grab the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. With the No. 1 spot, the Frogs rolled through the tournament to capture the crown. For their efforts in league competition, several Frogs grabbed all-conference accolades. Senior Helena Besovic, junior Ana Cetnik, sophomore Nicole Leimbach and freshman Anna Sydorska garnered singles plaudits. Besovic, Cetnik, Sydorska and sophomore Andrea Morgado pulled in doubles recognition. Sydorska was recognized as the conference Freshman of the Year and Dave Borelli was named Coach of the Year. Following league play, the Frogs made history as they became the first TCU women's program to host the opening rounds of the NCAAs. The regional consisted of Arkansas, Conference USA champion Rice, 18th-ranked Texas and the Horned Frogs. The first round saw TCU dispatch Rice 4-0 to make its second-straight round two showing. Having never advanced past the regionals, the Frogs had history on the line once again and the Longhorns stood in the way. TCU delivered and knocked off the Horns, 4-0, to move on to its first-ever Sweet 16 appearance. Despite falling to No. 1 and eventual three-time champion Stanford, the Horned Frogs continued to roll in the awards. Senior Gloriann Lopez was named the ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recipient for the 2006 season. Lopez, the team captain, finished the regular season with a record of 16-3. The ITA/Arthur Ashe Award goes to a player who has exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements. Sydorska received her second Freshman of the Year honor as she was recognized in the Southwest Region by the ITA. Jefferson Hammond was named the ITA Southwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year. Hammond came to the Metroplex in the fall of 2004. Since his arrival, the Frogs have reached the NCAA Tournament twice and have been ranked among the nation's top 20 each of the last two seasons. In the final individual polls, Leimbach ranked 19th which is the third-highest finish for a Horned Frog singles player in program history (Rene Simpson 12th in 1988, Story Tweedie-Yates 11th in 2005). The Colorado Springs, Colo., product also picked up ITA All-America honors for her efforts during the season. The sophomore was also the first TCU Grand Slam champion as she brought home the Riviera/ITA All-American Championship. Besovic finished 29th in singles, 13th in doubles alongside Cetnik and 24th while paired with Sydorska. The 13th-place finish is the second highest in program history behind Simpson and Teresa Dobson, who completed the 1988 season with a No. 12 slotting.
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