AUBURN, Ala. – Two Auburn women's tennis players earned year-end regional awards from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the ITA announced Monday.
Senior Taylor Russo was named the ITA Southern Regional Senior Player of the Year, and freshman Selin Ovunc was named the ITA Southern Regional Rookie of the Year.
"We are thrilled for both Selin and Taylor," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said. "Together they formed a formidable doubles team, while also proving to be gritty, fearless competitors on the singles court.
"The hard work and commitment to excellence that forms the foundation of Auburn women's tennis starts with the people who make this such a special place. We are proud of both Selin and Taylor!"
The duo earned a national top-10 ranking in doubles during the season, climbing as high as No. 8 in the nation. Boasting a 16-6 overall record and an 8-4 mark in dual match play, Russo and Ovunc were one of the region's top doubles teams, capturing the ITA Southern Regional championship in October.
In singles, Russo was 14-9 overall, playing at the No. 1 position all season. Through four seasons at Auburn, Russo has 73 singles wins and 82 doubles victories, ranking in the Auburn career top 10 in both categories. She also earned the Athletic Director's Spirit of Auburn award and was named to the SEC Community Service Team for the second straight year.
"Taylor's passion provides a spark for the entire team," Lilley said. "One of the differentiating factors is her willingness to find a way, the 'whatever it takes' mentality she brings regardless of how she's playing."
Ovunc posted a 22-7 overall singles record – 9-2 in dual play and 3-1 in SEC matches – playing at the No. 2 and 3 singles spots. She was also 19-8 overall in doubles as a freshman. After defeating two ranked opponents from Florida and South Carolina during the opening weekend of SEC play, she earned a nod as SEC Freshman of the Week.
"When Selin's back was against the wall this year, she found reasons why she could," Lilley said. "Her solution-focused mentality, coupled with her athleticism and ability to be physical, set her apart."
Ovunc is the third Auburn selection as ITA Southern Region Rookie of the Year, joining Fani Chifchieva (2007) and Pleun Bergmans (2013). This is the first year the ITA has selected a Senior Player of the Year, but Auburn has previously had three picks as Regional Player of the Year – Alex Haney (2009), Chifchieva (2010) and Bergmans (2013).