Kalamazoo College's women's tennis program took home multiple awards as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on Wednesday in Kalamazoo.
Head Coach Mark Murphy was named Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year while Sarah Woods was named ITA Central Region Senior Player of the Year as well as regional and national Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award winner.
The national Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award is one of the most prestigious awards given by the ITA. Woods is Kalamazoo's first female recipient of the award.
According to a press release issued by the ITA:
"Woods has a career singles record of 83-14, and a doubles mark of 73-25. Her 156 total wins are second most in Kalamazoo College Women's Tennis history, and would also rank fourth-best in the men's record books. She's served as team captain each of the past three seasons. A pre-med biology major, Woods has been able to balance a very difficult academic schedule with a demanding tennis schedule. Woods was the catalyst to change the culture of the tennis program; her leadership and dedication to the program has been relentless and very inspiring to her teammates. She's a vocal leader when needed and led quietly by example when that's been best. She has been active member of the student-led sexual assault group on campus, and has been a peer advocate for the last four years. Woods has worked hard to help others with very difficult situations."
Woods is 21-4 in singles play this season. She is scheduled to face Alexandria Fields (Middlebury) in the opening round of the NCAA III Singles Championships around 11 a.m. on Thursday at Kalamazoo's Stowe Stadium.
Complete tournament information can be found at http://hornets.kzoo.edu/tournaments/tennis/2015-16/index.