ATHENS, Ga. — Megan Falcon of the LSU women’s tennis team was named National Co-Player to Watch, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced on Tuesday.
Falcon shares the honor with Georgia Rose of Northwestern University. Rose, a Mettawa, Ill. native, is also a sophomore and ranked No. 13 in the country.
Falcon is ranked No. 2 nationally, which is the highest ranking in LSU women’s tennis history. She was unanimously named the Southwest Regional Player to Watch and added to this honor by becoming nationally recognized at a banquet in Athens, Ga., where she is representing LSU in the NCAA Individuals Championships.
“It’s a nice honor to be recognized on a national stage,” LSU head coach Tony Minnis said. “She should be really proud of what she has accomplished.”
Earlier in the season Falcon was named 2007 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and a member of the First Team All-SEC.
Falcon enters the NCAA Individuals Championships with a 34-2 overall record. She went undefeated in the regular season notching 24 wins in the No. 1 slot in dual play.
In her collegiate debut this past fall, she defeated nine ranked opponents in her run to an ITA All-American consolation title.
Falcon is ranked in doubles with two different teammates. She and freshman Hannah Robinson are ranked No. 30, and will represent LSU in the doubles portion of the NCAA tournament. She and sophomore Mykala Hedberg sit at No. 37 in the national rankings.
Falcon earned a No. 2 seed in the tournament, thus earning All-America honors. She will open play Wednesday, May 23, at 1:30 p.m. CT at the University of Georgia’s Dan Magill Tennis Complex against No. 54-ranked Renata Kucerkova of Fresno State.
Women’s Tennis ITA Award Winners:
Wilson/ITA National Coach of the Year ? Bryan Shelton of Georgia Tech
ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year ? David Anderton of Miami (Fla.)
ITA National Senior Player of the Year ? Jenna Long of North Carolina
ITA National Rookie of the Year ? Sarah Fansler of Southern California
ITA National Player to Watch ? (co-winners) Megan Falcon of LSU and Georgia Rose of Northwestern
ITA/Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship ? Danielle Mousseau of Minnesota
ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship ? Megan Moulton-Levy of William & Mary