Lady Statesmen tennis wrap up 2009 with GSC honors
Daniel Hawthorne
4/22/2009 3:59:07 PM
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Delta State University Lady Statesmen tennis team snatched up three All-Gulf South Conference selections, including the GSC West Division Freshman of the Year and GSC West Division Coach of the Year honors.
The Lady Statesmen placed two players on the First Team, led by junior Cecile Benzaki, the 2007-2008 GSC West Player of the Year, and freshman Lisa Jamais. Junior Katharina Nett earned Second-Team honors.
Jamais snapped an 11-year drought for the Lady Statesmen, claiming the first Freshman of the Year Award since Adri Van Der Wath in 1998. Jamais' honor was also DSU's third overall honor.
Asa Atkinson was voted the top coach in the Gulf South Conference, after being named Coach of the Year for the first time in his career. Atkinson guided the Lady Statesmen to a 6-0 conference mark, and a No. 25 national ranking this season. It’s also the first award by a Delta State head coach since Ray Bridges earned the honor in 1994.