BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo women's tennis squad presented its team awards for the 2002-03 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at Samuel's Grande Manor.

Head coach Kathy Twist made the following presentations: Lisa Wittman (Cheektowaga, NY/Cheektowaga) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Michelle Kollarova (Bratislava, Slovak Republic/Sport Gymnasium) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Karen Maynard (Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill) received the Coach's Award; and Kristen Ortman (Amherst, NY/Amherst) was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Lisa Wittman

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student-athlete who distinguishes herself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. Wittman, who did not play singles in her first two seasons with the team, went 6-16 in singles and 5-17 in doubles play in 2002-03. She spent most of the season as the number five singles player, picking up five of her victories from that spot.

Michelle Kollarova

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student-athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in her performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. Kollarova, selected as the Top Newcomer in 2002, was 7-14 in singles and 7-15 in doubles play. She played most of the season at third singles and picked up a Mid-American Conference win with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Akron's Diana Serafini.

Karen Maynard

The Coach's Award is selected by the head coach and is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the team virtues as defined by the head coach. The recipient is one who stands out in dedication, commitment, unselfishness and enthusiasm towards helping the team improve. Maynard, the team MVP the previous two seasons, finished 4-17 in singles and 7-14 in doubles play in 2002-03. She played the entire season at first singles and paired with Ortman to form UB's top doubles duo.

Kristen Ortman

The Most Valuable Player Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through her skills and leadership. Ortman, a freshman, compiled a 12-10 singles record and was 8-14 in doubles. Playing in the second singles spot, Ortman went 10-10 and led the Bulls in singles victories and Mid-American Conference triumphs with four. She paired with Maynard for the number one doubles team, going 7-14.

The Bulls completed their season with a 6-13 overall record and an 0-9 MAC dual meet record.