April 23, 2008

Spokane, Wash. -

Aglaya Kokurina became the first member of the Gonzaga University women's tennis team to earn All-West Coast Conference second team honors Wednesday, as announced by the conference office. In addition, Emily Anderson was awarded All-WCC honorable mention accolades for the third consecutive year.

The two selections mark the second year in a row that two Zags have been award league honors. Last season, Kokurina and Anderson were both named honorable mention selections. Anderson's honor also marks the third of her career, making her the most decorated women's tennis player in program history.

Kokurina earned second team honors after posting 24-12 record on the season, including going 13-8 in spring play. The junior played an instrumental role in Gonzaga' s seventh place finish at the WCC Championships as she posted a three-set come-from-behind 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory against the University of Portland to secure the Zags' 4-3 win. Kokurina rounded out the regular season, with a five-match win streak, as she posted singles victories over opponents from Weber State University, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Clara University, Lewis-Clark State College and Eastern Washington University.

Anderson was awarded her third league accolade in as many years after earning a 21-15 overall record. The senior closed out her final campaign with the Bulldogs winning seven singles contest in the final 10 matches of the regular season, including taking wins in the final five contests.

The University of San Francisco's Jenni Heinser was named WCC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year after helping the Dons finish in fourth place at the WCC Women's Tennis Championship last week. Heinser is the first netter in USF program history to receive either the Player or Freshman of the Year honors for women's tennis. Heinser is currently the highest ranked WCC player on the circuit, checking in at No. 79 in the ITA listing. Saint Mary's Lisa Alipaz was tabbed for WCC Co-Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year, after leading the Gaels to a second place finish at the 2008 WCC Championships. Hilary Somers of San Francisco was named Co-Coach of the Year, also the second time she has received the honor, after being named Coach of the Year in 2003.

Individual Awards Player of the Year
Jenni Heinser, San Francisco

Freshman of the Year
Jenni Heinser, San Francisco

Co-Coach of the Year
Lisa Alipaz, Saint Mary's
Hilary Somers, San Francisco

2008 Women's Singles All-Conference Team
First Team
Anamika Bhargava, PEP
Bianca Dulgheru, PEP
Jenni Heinser, USF
Jessica Hoath, SMC
Sylvia Kosakowski, PEP
Pavla Mesterova, LMU

Second Team
Aglaya Kokurina, GON
Helene Lindstrand, USD
Mylene Martin, USF
Stef Ordoveza, SMC
Alex Poorta, SMC
Megan Sporndli, POR

Honorable Mention
Emily Anderson, GON; Tina Razloznik, LMU; Jill Braverman, PEP; Christina Feyen, POR, Lindsey Griffin, POR; Claire Soper, SMC; Jenny Sperry, USF; Maya Davoudi, SCU; Lindsay McBride, SCU; Carmen Pham, SCU

2008 Women's Doubles All-Conference Team
First Team
Tamara Tanner & Pavla Mesterova, Loyola Marymount
Bianca Dulgheru & Sylvia Kosakowski, Pepperdine
Jill Braverman & Anamika Bhargava, Pepperdine

Second Team
Megan Sporndli & Lindsey Griffin, Portland
Claire Soper & Alex Poorta, Saint Mary's
Femke Strijbis & Jessica Hoath, Saint Mary's

Honorable Mention
Tania Rice & Anete Bandere, PEP; Jenny Sperry & Emma Taylor, USF; Maya Davoudi & Lindsay McBride, SCU