Women's Tennis Sweeps ITA Region Individual Awards

SAN ANTONIO – The St. Mary's Women's Tennis swept the player awards in the South Central region for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), the group announced Tuesday.
 
Senior Ashley Penshorn (Montgomery, Texas) was named the ITA Senior Player of the Year for the second-straight season after choosing to come back for her fifth season. The co-captain also earned the Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship winner in the region. Penshorn is the third Rattler to win the prestigious award, joining Cristina Lopez (2012-13) and Kaylin Kruseman (2014-15) from the women's team. Penshorn finished her final campaign with a 23-4 record in singles and a 21-7 mark in doubles.
 
Fellow senior captain Angela Vargas (Ciudad de Acuna, Coahuila, Mexico) was tabbed as the ITA's SC Region Most Improved Senior in her second year with the Rattlers. Vargas was 24-5, winning 15 of her final 16 matches on the season. She is the first Rattler to be named Most Improved by the national association.
 
Freshman Stela Sifuentes (Eagle Pass, Texas) earned the team's third SC region Rookie of the Year award after going 20-3 in singles play. She won her final six matches of the season and was also 19-8 in doubles action. 
 
"Each one of these ladies is very deserving," said Director of Tennis Bill Macom. "Ashlely and Angela not only won a bunch of matches but really were fantastic as team captains. And Stela did an amazing job as a freshman clinching some key matches for us."
 
Abigail Csengery was also honored by the ITA, being named the South Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year. Csengery has spent the last two seasons on the sidelines after wrapping up her playing career with the Rattlers. She stepped into a larger role this season with the tragic loss of assistant Lilly Kimbell midway through the year. 
 
"Abby has done a great job the last two years as an assistant coach," added Macom.
 
In addition to the individual awards, the women's team was also awarded honorable mention honors in the Community Service award. The team volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, the San Antonio Food Bank, the Humane Society and hosted free youth clinics for the community. DBU won the region's award, while Lubbock Christian, Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Kingsville were also honorable mention winners.