University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Shibahara Named ITA Regional Top Rookie
May 16, 2017 | Women's Tennis
TEMPE, Ariz. โ UCLA freshman Ena Shibahara has been named the ITA Southwest Region Rookie of the Year, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced Monday. The national award winners will be revealed May 23.
Shibahara, who has been slotted no lower than No. 5 in the Oracle/ITA Tennis Rankings this season, finished the first dual-match campaign of her career with an 18-3 record in singles play. The freshman went 9-0 in Pac-12 play during the regular season. Shibahara holds a 38-6 overall mark, including 20-5 against nationally-ranked opponents. In doubles play, the Palos Verdes, Calif. native compiled an 18-2 mark, while her overall record stands at 25-5. On May 12, Shibahara was announced as both the Pac-12 Singles Player of the Year and Newcomer/Freshman of the Yearโa first in the history of the awards. She was also named an All-Pac-12 First-Team performer.
Next up for Shibahara is a trip to Athens, Ga. for the NCAA Division I singles and doubles championships. The freshman earned the conference's automatic bid as an individual player, as well as one with doubles partner Jada Hart. Both competitions will take place May 24-29 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
Southwest Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year:ย Per Nilsson - Pepperdine University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year:ย Mario Toledo - Pepperdine University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior):ย Kassidy Jump - Arizona State University
ITA Senior Player of the Year:ย Lauren Marker - University of Arizona
ITA Rookie of the Year:ย Ena Shibahara - UCLA
ITA Player to Watch:ย Ashley Lahey - Pepperdine University
Players Mentioned
