Oklahoma State University Athletics
Blanco and Rioux Earn ITA Regional Awards
May 18, 2019 | Cowgirl Tennis
STILLWATER – Two Oklahoma State women's tennis players were honored for their on-court accomplishments this season, the ITA announced Saturday morning. Senior Sofia Blanco and, in her first year on the court for the Cowgirls, Lisa Marie Rioux were named ITA NCAA Division I regional award winners in two separate categories.
Rioux was named the women's ITA player to watch in the Central region. After an impressive season back on the courts, the Cowgirl racked up a 19-7 singles record this spring and went 4-4 against ranked opponents playing primarily in the two spot for the Cowgirls. The Okinawa, Japan native won seven of her 10 most recent matches and was named the best female Japanese collegiate tennis player with a UTR of 11.51. Rioux capped off her junior campaign at the NCAA round-of-16, handing North Carolina's Alexa Graham only her second loss of the season.
Also earning an ITA award, Sofia Blanco collects another accolade as she was named the most improved senior in the Central region. The senior went just 8-3 in singles play in 2018 before becoming a staple in the Pokes' 2019 lineup. She put together an 18-4 record this season in singles in addition to going 14-4 in doubles with freshman partner Catherine Gulihur. Last season, Blanco went 32-11 with doubles partner Validca Babic en route to an NCAA runner-up finish. She and Gulihur closed out the NCAA Tournament with a defeat of Tar Heel's Graham and Jessie Aney and are set to begin competition at the NCAA Individual Championships next week.
National award winners are set to be announced on May 19.
