2011 LSU Women's Tennis Media Guide

Page 52

WOMEN’S TENNIS

All-Americans In its 33-year history, the LSU women’s tennis program has produced an All-American 12 times. Only three years after the official inaugural season, two Lady Tigers were named All-Americans in 1978 as Ebie Taylor and Kay McDaniel, Nos. 2 and 12 on the all-time wins list at LSU, respectively, earned the honor. Sixteen years later, the next selection came in the form of Suzana Rodrigues, who earned her status as a singles All-American as a freshman in 1994. Fifth on the list of all-time wins, Rodrigues was named an All-American again as a senior in 1997, that year receiving recognition for her outstanding doubles play. Her partner Laura Olave shared the All-America distinction that year. Another pair was recognized as All-Americans in 2000 when Bruna Colosio and Ana Paula Mores won the award. Fittingly, they each ended their careers with the same number of match wins, 97, which places them in a tie for eighth on the all-time wins list. Colosio was named a singles All-American again in 2001, finishing her career as one of the top players to wear the Purple and Gold.

Megan Falcon 2007 ITA SINGLES ALL-AMERICAN 2008 ITA SINGLES ALL-AMERICAN 2009 ITA SINGLES ALL-AMERICAN

LSU’s latest All-American, Megan Falcon had arguably the most successful season in Lady Tiger history as a sophomore in 2006-07. The Alameda, Calif., native enjoyed a stellar debut, reeling off win after win at the ITA All-American Championships in the fall of 2006. By the time the tournament ended for Falcon, she had defeated nine ranked opponents, including five in the top 50. After her fast start, Falcon began the spring of 2007 ranked No. 2 in the nation. Playing all of her dual season matches at the No. 1 spot in singles, Falcon went 24-0 and ran her record to an amazing 34-2 heading into the NCAA Individual Championships. Accomplishing something no other Lady Tiger had ever done before, Falcon raced to the semifinals of the championships, only dropping one set along the way. En route to the final four, Falcon knocked off four ranked opponents, pushing her record

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2011 LSU WOMEN’S TENNIS

INTRO

against ranked adversaries to 26-2 on the year. However, Falcon’s pursuit of the individual national championship was denied when USC’s Lindsey Nelson defeated her, 7-6(2), 6-2. Overall, Falcon finished 38-3 and tied for seventh in school history with 38 wins in a single season in 2006-07. After an amazing individual season, Falcon deservingly received several accolades. She was named an ITA All-American in singles - finishing ranked No. 2 in the nation - the 2007 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, First Team AllSEC, Southwest Regional Player to Watch, ITA National Co-Player to Watch, Honda Award Finalist, LSWA Louisiana Player of the Year and the LSWA Newcomer of the Year. One season later in 2007-08, Falcon followed up her brilliant sophomore campaign by earning a second singles All-America honor. To open the fall season

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Falcon was ranked No. 1 in the nation - the first Lady Tiger to be crowned as the nation’s top singles player. For the second straight season Falcon led LSU in wins with a 27-7 record, including 12 victories over ranked opponents, and she finished the year ranked No. 15. Falcon again captured the ITA All-American Championships consolation title in the fall. Just like in 2007, Falcon earned First-Team All-SEC honors and was named LSWA Louisiana Player of the Year as well as earning ITA Scholar-Athlete recognition for the first time in her career. For her senior campaign, Falcon completed her incredible run at LSU, listing eighth on the program’s all-times wins list with a 99-18 career record. The three-time Louisiana Player of the Year earned her third-consecutive singles All-America honors, while also being unanimously named First-Team All SEC for the third straight season.

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