April 7, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt freshman Heather Steinbauer has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for her recent play against Mississippi State and Ole Miss last week. Steinbauer has clinched three of Vanderbilt’s last four dual wins, including an impressive three-set comeback win over Ole Miss’ Abigail Guthrie to seal the deal against the 27th-ranked Rebels.
After dropping the first set to Guthrie 2-6, Steinbauer found herself in a hole again in the second set, trailing 2-4 and on the brink of losing the match before finding her groove and taking the second and third sets 7-5, 6-2. The former Texas prep state champion improved to 10-2 in dual play and a perfect 7-0 against opponents from the SEC.
The Woodlands, Texas native finished the week 2-0 in singles and 1-1 in doubles with teammate Jackie Wu. Against Ole Miss, Wu and Steinbauer knocked off the nation’s 45th-ranked team of Kristi Boxx and Karen Nijssen.