May 21, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn freshman Jaeda Daniel was named the ITA Player to Watch of the Southern Region for women's tennis, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced Monday. Associate head coach Chris Hooshyar was also named ITA Southern Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
Daniel's recent accolade is one of many in what has been a stellar freshman season. The Port Charlotte, Fla., native was previously named to the All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Freshman Team. Throughout the season, Daniel was also named SEC Freshman of the Week and took down three ranked opponents in singles, accumulating a 24-13 record in singles and a 21-10 record in doubles. Currently No. 56 in the ITA singles rankings, Daniel will compete in the NCAA Singles Championship on May 23 at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Hooshyar's recent honor further displays how instrumental the Manchester, England, native has been in getting the Auburn women's tennis program where it is today. Hooshyar was a major factor in recruiting Daniel and fellow talented freshman Madeline Meredith. Upon their arrival, he guided each of them through the ups and downs of collegiate tennis, from awards to injuries.
On top of the evidence from Daniel's accolades, Hooshyar also contributed to Meredith's success as she went 19-11 in singles, 20-11 in doubles and was also named SEC Freshman of the Week. The Tigers have made the NCAA Tournament in each of the five years since his arrival, going as far as the Sweet 16 last year.
After competing in the Atlanta, Ga., regional of the NCAA Tournament hosted by Georgia Tech, Auburn finished the season at a mark of 20-11 (8-5 SEC), the third straight year the Tigers have concluded the season with 20 or more wins.