Irina Sotnikova named Southland Player of Week
2/28/2008 1:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Irina Sotnikova of Sam Houston State University has been named as Southland Conference women's tennis player of the week by vote of the league's sports information directors.
Sotnikova defeated the number 99-ranked women's player in the nation, Julie Chao, 2-6 6-2 6-3 in the number one singles match against Rice last Friday. Sotnikova also teamed with Peta Taylor to defeat Chao and Dominique Karas at number one doubles.
The victory marked the 59th doubles victory for Sotnikova in her three years at Sam Houston State, a new school record. The junior from Riga, Latvia, has posted a career mark of 59 victories and only 17 losses to surpass Lata Assudani's previous Bearkat career high of 58 victories. Assudani compiled her 58-28 record from 2005 to 2007.
Sotnikova and Taylor own a 15-7 doubles record this season.
In singles, Sotnikova stands 52-20 for her college career to rank third all-time at Sam Houston State. Assudani holds that record as well with a 57-39 mark. Ivette Andrade posted a 53-45 record in 2000 to 2002.
Sam Houston State will open Southland Conference action this weekend, playing host to Lamar at 11 a.m. Saturday and McNeese State at 10 a.m. Sunday at the McAdams Tennis Center.
