April 14, 2011

By Jeff Honza
Southeast Missouri State Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Elizabeth Nyenwe was named the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Women's Tennis Freshman of the Year Thursday. Nyenwe is the first Southeast Missouri player to win the prestigious award.

A native of London, England, Nyenwe went 9-7 overall and 7-1 in OVC play at the No. 2 singles spot this season. She posted a 7-3 record in her last 10 matches and was one of two Redhawks that recorded three or more victories on the year. Nyenwe was also selected First-Team All-OVC.

Joining Nyenwe on the First-Team was Nikole Novikova, who fashioned an 8-8 record at the No. 1 singles position. Novikova, who garnered All-OVC honors for the second-straight season, finished the year on a two-match winning streak.

Nyenwe and Novikova combined for 17 of the Redhawks 27 singles victories.

This year marks the first since 1996 (Elena Novikova, Valerie Vanderstappen) where Southeast had two All-OVC performers in a season.

2011 All-Ohio Valley Conference Women's Tennis Teams

First Team
Jess Albuquerque, Eastern Kentucky
Jodie Tiley, UT Martin
Vanja Tomic, Austin Peay
Elizabeth Nyenwe, Southeast Missouri
Carolin Weikard, Austin Peay
Ashley Canty, Murray State
Nikole Novikova, Southeast Missouri

(Seven players appear on the first team due to a tie)

Second Team
Anouk Faure, Eastern Kentucky
Raisa Guasti, Jacksonville State
Jessica Montemayor, Morehead State
Myriem Mhirit, Eastern Kentucky
Alexis Webb, Murray State
Johanie Van Zyl, UT Martin

OVC Player of the Year: Jess Albuquerque, Eastern Kentucky
OVC Freshman of the Year: Elizabeth Nyenwe, Southeast Missouri
OVC Coach of the Year: Dennis Taylor, UT Martin