Women's Tennis Earns Two ITA Southern Region Awards
5/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Intercollegiate Tennis Association today announced that Alabama assistant coach Ricky Doverspike was named the ITA Southern Region Assistant Coach of the Year, while senior captain Emily Zabor was awarded the Southern Region's Most Improved Player of the Year.
Completing just his second season assisting head coach Jenny Mainz, former UA-standout Ricky Doverspike continues to make an invaluable impact on the Alabama women's tennis program. A dominant doubles player in his own day -- amassing 82 doubles victories over his four-year playing career at UA -- Doverspike primarily focuses on Alabama's doubles strategy and execution. The Tide took 22 of 27 opening points during the 2015 dual match season, led by reigning NCAA doubles champions and current No. 1 duo in the country, Erin Routliffe and Maya Jansen, who went 19-2 on court one.
A consummate student-athlete, senior captain Emily Zabor has seen her extreme levels of dedication on and off the court transform her into one of the strongest leaders in the history of the Alabama women's tennis program. Zabor unselfishly climbed the ranks of the program, collecting numerous athletic and academic awards along the way.
The two-time NCAA Elite 89 Award winner and current SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year, Zabor completed her 2014-15 senior campaign with a 16-12 record, including a 12-7 mark throughout the dual match season. Zabor was nationally ranked as high as No. 46 in doubles with Natalia Maynetto, and maintained a position in top 60 for the duration of the spring season.
The Marietta, Ga native collected a career-best 25 victories during the 2013-14 season as a junior, including a win against eighth-ranked Texas A&M to help the Tide advance to Alabama's first SEC Tournament Championship. Following her junior season, Zabor earned her second straight NCAA Elite 89 Award and was named the ITA Arthur Ashe Jr. Sportsmanship & Leadership Award winner.
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Players Mentioned
