May 24, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced the 2016 Division I national award winners on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at the 2016 Division I NCAA Tennis Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Frances Altick was named the ITA National Most Improved Senior of the Year.
The award is the first earned by a Commodore and comes after claiming the regional honor of most Improved Senior Player of the Year earlier this month. The award is given to a senior student-athlete who has improved the most over the course of their collegiate tennis career, developing into one of the best regional and/or national players in his/her class.
“It’s hard to imagine a player who has had a greater impact on a tennis program than Frances Altick has had here at Vanderbilt,” said head coach Geoff Macdonald. “She deserves this award so much, that I imagine it was a unanimous decision by the committee. Her passion for tennis and competing and for striving to improve is unmatched.”
A native of Monroe, La., Altick came to Vanderbilt with a drive and passion for tennis that coaches can’t teach. Known for grinding out each point and playing with a huge heart, Altick began her career at the No. 6 spot of the Vandy lineup and worked tirelessly on her game to begin moving up to higher positions year by year. Giving the Commodores gusty performances on the court in every outing, the recent psychology graduate worked her way up to the No. 2 singles position all while earning superb grades in the classroom.
In 2014, regional coaches took notice of Altick’s passion and desire to win, naming her the Ohio Valley Player to watch, an award given to a student-athlete who coaches believe has the potential to win a major tournament.
Following a phenomenal junior season where she earned spots on the SEC and NCAA tournament teams, Frances was once again named the region’s Player to Watch.
With her career with the Commodores coming to a close, 2016 was a remarkable season for Altick, as she closed out team play with a 19-2, (36-6) singles record. While Frances’ time representing the ‘Dores continues in the NCAA Singles Tournament, she currently owns a 106-33 career singles record and has 179 combined victories to her name.
For her exceptional record which garnered her a career-high 14th ranking in the country, a career-goal of begin named an All-American came true as Altick earned a 9-16 seed going into the Singles tournament this week.
After the conclusion of the NCAA singles tournament, Altick will continue her passion for playing tennis as she heads out on tour.
