Cleveland, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced the 2021 women’s tennis awards today after finishing up the regular season in early May. The eight league Head Coaches voted on the 2021 All-MAC First and Second Teams, as well as the Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Sportsmanship awards.
Miami University junior Laura Rico was named the Mid-American Conference Women's Tennis Player of the Year and earned All-MAC First Team honors. RedHawks Junior Brindtha Ramasamy joined Rico on the All-MAC First Team.
Rico, who becomes just the third player in program history to capture player of the year honors and first since 2018, was a mainstay in the Miami lineup and was the only RedHawk to play in all 23 matches. She finished the season with an impressive 19-4 record in singles action, including a stellar 13-1 record in MAC action. Rico went 3-1 at No. 1 singles and 16-3 at No. 2 singles.
Toledo's Cassie Alcala, who was also named the league's Freshman of the Year, was a First-Team All-MAC selection. Alcala is the first Toledo player to win MAC Freshman of the Year since Martina Wodzinski in 2007.
Ball State women's tennis was heavily rewarded for its run to the 2021 Mid-American Conference Championship, with four members of the program honored by the league.
The awards started at the top, with eighth-year head coach Max Norris being named the 2021 MAC Coach of the Year. In addition, sophomore Emma Peeler was tabbed to the All-MAC First Team, while sophomore Jessica Braun and freshman Mariya Polishchuk both received All-MAC Second Team accolades.
2021 Women’s Tennis All-MAC
FIRST TEAM:
Emma Peeler, Ball State
Pia Schwarz, Buffalo
Brindtha Ramasamy, Miami
Laura Rico, Miami
Cassie Alcala, Toledo
Lindsey Zieglar, Western Michigan
SECOND TEAM:
Jessica Braun, Ball State
Masha Polishchuk, Ball State
Marharita-Sophia Tavpash, Bowling Green
Maria Potsi, Northern Illinois
Sloane Teske, Toledo
Femke TjonAJoe, Western Michigan
COACH OF THE YEAR: Max Norris, Ball State
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Laura Rico, Miami
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Cassie Alcala, Toledo
LEANN GRIMES DAVIDGE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Hsin-Yuan Shih, Buffalo
