WOMEN'S TENNIS

Roster  |  Coaches  |  Schedule / Results  |  News

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo women's tennis squad presented its team awards for the 2003-04 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at the Four Points Sheraton.

Head coach Kathy Twist made the following presentations: Onessa Williams (Albany, NY/Albany/Mohawk Valley CC) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Kristen Ortman (Amherst, NY/Amherst) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Lisa Wittman (Cheektowaga, NY/Cheektowaga) received the Coaches' Award; and Miglena Nenova (Rousse, Bulgaria/Eurointellect) was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Onessa Williams

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. Williams went 4-9 in singles play and 3-1 in doubles action. Playing number six singles, she posted a pair of Mid-American Conference wins, including a straight-sets win over Akron's Jennifer Ales in UB's 4-3 win over the Zips.

Kristen Ortman

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. Ortman, the team MVP in 2003, moved to the second singles spot for the spring season and went 10-4 at the flight and posted a 16-10 overall singles mark. She also went 17-9 in doubles play. She turned in a 5-3 MAC singles record at number two, highlighted by a three-set come-from-behind win over Ball State's Jenny Batty on February 28.

Lisa Wittman

The Coaches' 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. Wittman, last season's Top Newcomer Award recipient and 2003-04 team captain, was 8-13 in singles and 5-15 in doubles. She spent most of the season at fourth singles, but also posted a 4-2 record when playing in the fifth slot.

Miglena Nenova

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. Nenova, a freshman, made an immediate impact on the program, finishing 18-7 in singles play and 18-8 in doubles action. She also became UB's first women's tennis postseason honoree, taking home All-MAC First Team and the league's Newcomer of the Year awards. Playing first singles, she was instrumental in UB's MAC win over Akron as she overcame a first set loss to defeat Irina Strembitsky, then the top-ranked player in the league, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2, and picking up MAC Player of the Week honors. In tournament action, she was the runner-up in the B Flight of Dartmouth's Big Green Invitational and combined with Ortman to win the doubles title of the Can-Am Invitational, held at the UB Tennis Center.

The Bulls completed their season with an 8-11 overall record and a 1-8 MAC dual meet record.