ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Monica Matias of the UCF women's tennis team was awarded post-season honors by the American Athletic Conference for the second year in a row, as announced by the league office on Thursday.
"I'm very proud of what Monica was able to accomplish this year," head coach Bryan Koniecko said. "She played better and better every week and she definitely deserves this honor."
The junior had quite a season for the Knights. The Moca, Puerto Rico native posted a 14-4 mark in singles play at No. 1 and No. 2, for a .778 win percentage. Matias also paired with senior Cortney Cesarini on the top doubles court for a 14-3 overall doubles record.
The Knights had a 13-9 record under Koniecko in his first year at the helm. The Black and Gold entered The American Championships as the eighth seed. In the first round, UCF swept Houston to earn a spot in the quarterfinals. The Knights ultimately fell to top-seeded Tulsa, 4-1, in the quarterfinals.
2017 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WOMEN'S TENNIS AWARDS
Players of the Year
Celia Ruiz, So., East Carolina
Dobby Leenabanchong, Sr., Tulsa
Freshmen of the Year
Tsveta Dimitrova, Houston
Ivone Alvaro, Tulane
Coach of the Year
Cristina Moros, USF
All-Conference Team
Monica Matias, Jr., UCF
Lauren Bellinger, Sr., Cincinnati
Kelly Poggensee-Wei, Gs., Cincinnati
Yelyzaveta Pletnyeva, Jr., UConn
Celia Ruiz, So., East Carolina
Tsveta Dimitrova, Fr., Houston
Anki Wind, R-Jr., Memphis
Juliana Cardoso, Jr., USF
Ana Roman Domingiuez, So., USF
Liza Buss, So., SMU
Sarai Monarrez, Fr., SMU
Sade Atkinson, Jr., Tulane*
Ivone Alvaro, Fr., Tulane
Dobby Leenabanchong, Sr., Tulsa
Ksenia Laskutova, Jr., Tulsa
* Unanimous selection
** There are 15 players on the all-conference team due to a tie in the voting
