KUTZTOWN, PA (April 27, 2010) – Kutztown University swept the top women's tennis awards in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division. Senior Rohini Das was named the PSAC East Women's Tennis Athlete of the Year and Ridhima Borooah was named the PSAC East Freshman of the Year.
Das earns the PSAC East Athlete of the Year award for the second straight season after another standout year. She compiled an overall singles record of 20-4, including having won her last nine straight matches, while playing solely No. 1 singles. She has also combined with a few doubles combinations to go 16-8 at doubles, primarily at No. 1 and playing with Borooah, with whom she is 14-8, all at No. 1 doubles. In PSAC East play, she was a perfect 5-0 in singles. Das also earned all-PSAC East all-conference honors in both singles and doubles.
“I am happy for both young ladies,” Kutztown University coach Suresh Ramamurthi said. “Having those two receive those top awards from the conference is one of the best compliments and it boosts the validation of our women's program. Even though other schools have total depth, we've been able to accomplish a lot with what we have. Rohini has been a big asset for our program, encouraging, motivating and pushing her teammates.”
Borooah played at both No. 2 and No. 3 singles this year and also saw brief time at No. 4, compiling a combined singles record of 11-9 on the season. She also went a combined 15-8 at doubles, including 14-8 with Das at No. 1. The pair won their final match of the season against Bloomsburg in a consolation match at last week's PSAC championships.
“It's a nice honor for Ridhima to receive that award,” Ramamurthi said. “I am very happy she received the freshman of the year award. In addition to regular practices, Ridhima spent an extra hour three days a week to improve on some of her weaknesses. She's a very unselfish young lady that will make a big impact on the team and in her own game.”
Das headlines the All-PSAC East singles team that features five repeat selections from last year, including two four-time All-PSAC East singles selections in both Das and Bloomsburg's Katie Hasyn. Bloomsburg's Laura Sullivan is also an all-conference honoree in singles for the second straight year. The East Stroudsburg duo of Katie D'Ambrosia and Amanda Kaufman are also all-conference honorees for the second straight year. Kaufman was last year's PSAC East Freshman of the Year. Rounding out the All-PSAC East singles team is the only first-time all-conference singles pick, West Chester's Claire Afrassiabian.
The All-East doubles team features one repeat duo and four individuals that have previously been all-conference in doubles. East Stroudsburg's team of D'Ambrosia and Jamie Ferrigno earn all-conference accolades for the third straight year. The Bloomsburg duo of Hasyn and Kristen Bonito round out the East doubles teams. For Hasyn, it is her third career all-conference recognition at doubles while for Bonito, it is her first all-conference honor in singles or doubles.
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