May 9, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the postseason charges ahead, the Commodores earned three additional honors with Frances Altick and Astra Sharma receiving recognition from the head coaches of the Intercollegiate Tennis Associations’ Ohio Valley Region.
This is the second year in a row that the sixth-ranked `Dores have brought in three or more regional awards after taking five last season. All of the regional winners are automatically nominated for the ITA Division I National Awards, which will be announced later this month on the 24th.
After earning the Ohio Valley Player to Watch award the past two seasons, the coaching staff’s predictions proved true as Altick was awarded the region’s Player of the Year and Most Improved Player (Senior) after an astounding 17-2 final season record and 104-33 overall slate.
The Monroe, La. native was given automatic All-American status last week after earning a national seed in the NCAA Singles Tournament and a spot on the SEC’s First-Team. Altick caps her career earning a regional award three of her four seasons competing with the black and gold.
Second Team All SEC-er, Sharma, was awarded the region’s Player to Watch honor, which is given to a student-athlete who is thought to be a contender to win one of the many ITA or NCAA tournaments.
Sharma is currently ranked No. 32 in the nation, and owns only five losses this spring. The Perth, Australia native plays predominately at the No. 3 spot of the Vanderbilt singles lineup, going 8-1 on court three.
Vanderbilt is currently gearing up for its 22nd consecutive NCAA tournament, having never gone with any other head coach but Geoff Macdonald. VU hosts Clemson, Rice and SIUE in regional action this weekend, which kicks off Friday, May 13th at 1:00 pm. The sixth-seeded Commodores take on SIUE following the CU/Rice match at 4:00 pm CT.
Tickets for regionals are five dollars for adults and three dollars for students, and can be preordered at 615.322.GOLD (4653).