Photo by: Dustin Satloff
Tennis Announces 2020 Team Awards
May 20 | Women's Tennis
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers tennis has announced its award recipients for the 2019-20, including the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award and team distinguished honors.
SYDNEY KAPLAN | BIG TEN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Sophomore Sydney Kaplan was named the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner for the program. The student-athletes chosen for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These students must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
Kaplan led the team with an 8-4 overall record across the No. 3 and 4 spots, including a conference win against Maryland. Kaplan also posted a team-leading 5-2 mark in doubles with teammate Tess Fisher. In the classroom, she earned recognition on the Dean's List across the 2019-20 semesters.
Additionally, Kaplan played a role in the team's Top 10 recognition by Helper Helper, which highlights the top Division I program's community service outreach.
"I am proud of Sydney for earning this award. She has matured a lot from when she first arrived at Rutgers and it shows in the way she competed. I am looking forward to seeing how she continues to grow and improve," said Head Coach Hilary Ritchie.
JACI COCHRANE | RUTGERS TENNIS SCARLET AND BLACK AWARD
The team's Red and Black Award, awarded to the person who continues to lift the team up with their positive RU spirit, goes to senior Jaci Cochrane. Cochrane produced a 7-2 record in singles action, often securing the first singles victory of a match to carry momentum from a team doubles point win or to shift the energy back to RU. The captain countlessly showed her unwavering spirt for the team, especially by clinching the Penn victory with a tremendous come-from-behind singles win.
Cochrane, an Academic All-Big Ten and Dean's List honoree, also led by example in the classroom. She was inducted into the Delta Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society in 2019-20.
"Jaci is a great ambassador for our team and athletic department. She supports her teammates in so many ways. This year, more than ever, that spirit came out in competition. I am excited that she will be coming back to join us next year," said Ritchie.
TESS FISHER | RUTGERS TENNIS GRIT AWARD
Sophomore Tess Fisher earned the Grit Award, which is presented to the person who demonstrates hard work in all training and competitions. Fisher recorded seven singles victories across the No. 1 and 2 spots, while also tallying a team-leading seven doubles wins. In singles, she split time at the No. 1 spot with teammate Maya Jacobs, racking up five of her seven victories against heavy competition at the position.
Fisher's drive on the court extended into the classroom with recognition on the Dean's List across the 2019-20 semesters.
"Tess is so deserving of this award. She brings intensity, passion and drive to every practice and competition. The improvement in her game and jump in the lineup demonstrate what hard work can do. With her grit, she is only going to keep improving," said Ritchie.
THE 2019-20 SQUAD SHOWS THE FUTURE IS STRONG
With the return of all award winners, as well as Maya Jacobs, Isabelle Da Silva and Kristiana Zahare, the team has strong leadership in place and an added year of training to carry into 2020-21.
"Leadership is more critical than ever during these challenging times. Next year, I expect each of our players to lead in their own way depending on their strengths," said Ritchie. "However, I am encouraging a couple of them to lead more verbally. Maya and Jaci are both returning and have experience leading since they were co-captains this year, along with Kat. They are already thinking of ways to better their leadership styles."
"Kris improved immensely, especially in doubles. She demonstrated a high level of doubles play and I know she can be even better. Izzy battled a serious injury this year, but she never stopped working hard. With her focus and dedication, I am hopeful that she will compete more for us next year."
SYDNEY KAPLAN | BIG TEN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Sophomore Sydney Kaplan was named the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner for the program. The student-athletes chosen for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These students must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
Kaplan led the team with an 8-4 overall record across the No. 3 and 4 spots, including a conference win against Maryland. Kaplan also posted a team-leading 5-2 mark in doubles with teammate Tess Fisher. In the classroom, she earned recognition on the Dean's List across the 2019-20 semesters.
Additionally, Kaplan played a role in the team's Top 10 recognition by Helper Helper, which highlights the top Division I program's community service outreach.
"I am proud of Sydney for earning this award. She has matured a lot from when she first arrived at Rutgers and it shows in the way she competed. I am looking forward to seeing how she continues to grow and improve," said Head Coach Hilary Ritchie.
JACI COCHRANE | RUTGERS TENNIS SCARLET AND BLACK AWARD
The team's Red and Black Award, awarded to the person who continues to lift the team up with their positive RU spirit, goes to senior Jaci Cochrane. Cochrane produced a 7-2 record in singles action, often securing the first singles victory of a match to carry momentum from a team doubles point win or to shift the energy back to RU. The captain countlessly showed her unwavering spirt for the team, especially by clinching the Penn victory with a tremendous come-from-behind singles win.
Cochrane, an Academic All-Big Ten and Dean's List honoree, also led by example in the classroom. She was inducted into the Delta Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society in 2019-20.
"Jaci is a great ambassador for our team and athletic department. She supports her teammates in so many ways. This year, more than ever, that spirit came out in competition. I am excited that she will be coming back to join us next year," said Ritchie.
TESS FISHER | RUTGERS TENNIS GRIT AWARD
Sophomore Tess Fisher earned the Grit Award, which is presented to the person who demonstrates hard work in all training and competitions. Fisher recorded seven singles victories across the No. 1 and 2 spots, while also tallying a team-leading seven doubles wins. In singles, she split time at the No. 1 spot with teammate Maya Jacobs, racking up five of her seven victories against heavy competition at the position.
Fisher's drive on the court extended into the classroom with recognition on the Dean's List across the 2019-20 semesters.
"Tess is so deserving of this award. She brings intensity, passion and drive to every practice and competition. The improvement in her game and jump in the lineup demonstrate what hard work can do. With her grit, she is only going to keep improving," said Ritchie.
THE 2019-20 SQUAD SHOWS THE FUTURE IS STRONG
With the return of all award winners, as well as Maya Jacobs, Isabelle Da Silva and Kristiana Zahare, the team has strong leadership in place and an added year of training to carry into 2020-21.
"Leadership is more critical than ever during these challenging times. Next year, I expect each of our players to lead in their own way depending on their strengths," said Ritchie. "However, I am encouraging a couple of them to lead more verbally. Maya and Jaci are both returning and have experience leading since they were co-captains this year, along with Kat. They are already thinking of ways to better their leadership styles."
"Kris improved immensely, especially in doubles. She demonstrated a high level of doubles play and I know she can be even better. Izzy battled a serious injury this year, but she never stopped working hard. With her focus and dedication, I am hopeful that she will compete more for us next year."
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