May 1, 2007

IRVING, Texas (C-USA/SMU) - Conference USA announced its 2007 All-Conference first, second and third teams along with postseason award winners for women's tennis today, as selected by the conference's head coaches. Mustangs Natalia Bubien and Claire Rietsch were named to the C-USA First Team while Jennifer Chay was named to the Third Team. In doubles, Bubien and Rietsch were honored as an All-Conference Doubles team.

Bubien played No. 1 singles for the Mustangs this season, posting an 11-8 record in dual meets. In doubles, Bubien paired with Rietsch as the two found their way into SMU history. Their 18-4 overall record in doubles, earned them a spot in the record book as they are in a three-way tie for eighth place in most season victories and are in fourth place with.818 winning percentage. In doubles, they took a win over a top-50 pair from Troy. She strung together three consecutive singles wins at No. 1 to start season. For her efforts in helping guide the Mustangs to wins over ranked Troy and Louisville, Bubien was named C-USA Player of the Week (2/6). She was also the team captain this season and was named to the C-USA All-Academic Team and the C-USA Commissioners Honor Roll.

Along with her record setting doubles season with Bubien, Rietsch had a solid freshman campaign in singles as well. Her overall record of 28-5 ranks her ninth in season victories and fifth in season winning percentage. She saw time at No. 3 singles and posted a seven match win streak to start the season and ended the season on an 11 match win streak. Rietsch posted a dual match record of 20-2 in singles. She was named C-USA Player of the Week twice this season. Once in Feb. (2/20) and then again in April (4/10) after going undefeated in singles, extending her singles win streak to nine.

Chay played most of the time at No. 2 singles and also played some at No. 1. She compiled a 15-6 record in dual action and ended the season on a nine-match win streak in singles. She paired with Pavi Francis in spring doubles, starting at No. 3 then won three matches in a row and was bumped up to No. 2. They posted a four match win streak at start of doubles season as well as ending on a four match win streak.
2007 Conference USA Women's Tennis Postseason Awards

All-Conference USA First Team
Natalia Bubien, SMU
Julie Chao, Rice
Santie Delport, Tulsa
Claire Rietsch, SMU
Leila Salek, Houston
Kellie Schmitt, Marshall

All-Conference USA Second Team
Weronika Bloczynska, UTEP
Mireia Gol, East Carolina
Kindsay Grimes, Tulsa
Elvira Serrott, UCF
Karolina Soor, Marshall
Julia von Samson, UAB

All-Conference Third Team
Ali Blackett, Southern Miss
Jennifer Chay, SMU
Stephanie Dellocono, Southern Miss
Gulsah Esen, UAB
Tiffany Lee, Rice
Carla Zabaleta, Tulsa

All-Conference USA Doubles Team
Kellie Schmitt / Lynzee Kever, Marshall
Natalia Bubien / Claire Rietsch, SMU
Kinday Grimes / Carla Zabaleta, Tulsa

Coach of the Year: Dean Orford, Tulsa
Player of the Year: Kellie Schmitt, Marshall
Freshman of the Year: Julie Chao, Rice
Newcomer of the Year: Leila Salek, Houston

Outstanding Singles Player of the Championship
Santie Delport, Tulsa

Outstanding Doubles Team of the Championship
Kinday Grimes / Carla Zabaleta, Tulsa