May 12, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s tennis team collected five of the eight ITA regional awards Tuesday afternoon as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) organizations Executive Director.
Both VU coaches earned nods by the regional voting committee as head coach Geoff Macdonald earned the Ohio Valley Coach of the Year, and Aleke Tsoubanos was named the Ohio Valley Assistant Coach of the Year.
Frances Altick, Marie Casares and Astra Sharma of the 4th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s tennis team all received ITA regional honors as student-athletes. This is Casares and Altick’s second year in a row earning regional honors.
The winners of the regional awards are automatically nominated for the ITA Division I National Awards, which will be announced later this month.
A remarkable pair, Macdonald and Tsoubanos have created one of college tennis’ most elite programs. The Vanderbilt coaching staff continuously brings in fresh talent from around the globe; nurturing each student-athlete and helping them achieve on and off the court.
This season Macdonald and Tsoubanos led Vanderbilt to its first ever-SEC tournament title, an amazing achievement only been accomplished by two other SEC programs. Vandy boasts a 22-home match win streak, which spans two regular seasons and includes two hotly contested NCAA regional competitions.
Vanderbilt is currently competing in its 21st consecutive NCAA tournament, having never gone with any other head coach but Macdonald. As the longest tenured coach at VU, Macdonald earned his 400th win on March 8th with a 4-2 win over the Kentucky Wildcats.
Casares has earned the honor of receiving the Ohio Valley Senior Player of the Year award, a great honor for the Quito, Ecuador native who most recently clinched the `Dores first ever-SEC tournament title for her 103rd Commodore victory.
Throughout the season Casares added tremendous support to the lower portion of the Commodore lineup, generating an 11-4 record with wins predominately at Nos. 5 and 6 singles. Casares has four ranked wins to her name this season, and went on an eight-match singles win streak lasting from Oct. 25th — Feb 8th.
Last season Casares received the Ohio Valley Region ITA Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship which according to the ITA goes to a Division I women’s player who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team’s performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis.
For the second year in a row Altick has been named the Ohio Valley Player to Watch, which goes to a player who is a contender to win one of the many ITA or NCAA tournaments.
Since moving to the No. 3 spot of the VU lineup Altick has dominated the position, going 6-0 against league opponents. In her junior campaign with the `Dores the Monroe, La. native has collected four ranked wins in singles. Alongside tandems partner Casares the duo have one ranked win to their name, knocking off Florida’s then-No. 31 Porter/Kuhlman (UF); 8-5.
Sharma has been voted the 2015 Ohio Valley Rookie of the Year by the regional voting committee. A redshirt freshman, Sharma has shown resilience and determination since making her way back to the court, collecting a 22-3 record after last season’s plaguing injury. The Perth, Australia native also owns the distinction of being named the 2015 SEC Tournament MVP.Â
Since her debut on court two, Sharma has been the key to Vandy’s success on more then one occasion, winning 13 of her last 14 matches. Sharma’s play not only maks an impact in singles action, but tandems as well. Joined by senior Ashleigh Antal, the duo is currently ranked No. 18 in the country and owns an undefeated 16-0 record at No. 2 doubles.
After the Commodores 4-0 victory over Oklahoma last Saturday, the squad has advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the 15th time in program history. This is the second year in a row that the `Dores will compete in the round of 16, which takes place in Waco, Texas. Vanderbilt squares off against the No. 21 Clemson Tigers Friday at 5:00 pm CT.
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