Mertz Named ASC West MVP

ABILENE, Texas — Hardin-Simmons sophomore Lisa Mertz was named the American Southwest Conference West Division player of the year as she led the Cowgirls to their 11th straight American Southwest Conference West Division title and eight others associated with Hardin-Simmons were honored by the league’s coaches on Wednesday.

Mertz did not lose a set and won three of her matches 6-0, 6-0 in ASC West action. She also went undefeated in doubles action. She continues a long line of Cowgirls to be named ASC West MVP that goes back 10 seasons. Mertz, who is from Cleburne, was named a first-team all-ASC and all-ASC West performer. She was also named the ASC West Sportsmanship Award Winner.

Brittany Brazell and Danielle Cochran at No. 3 and No. 6 singles, respectively, were named to the all-ASC teams, which is the top players from each division. Jennifer Cheung and Diane Crouch were named first-team all-ASC at No. 2 doubles.

Shane Williford was named the ASC West co-coach of the year with Kay Whitley of Sul Ross State.

Mertz (1), Brazell (3) Chueng (5) and Cochran (6) were all named first-team all-ASC West Division in singles. Mertz and Brazell were first-team at No. 1 doubles and Cheung and Crouch were named first-team at No. 2 doubles.

Lauren Jay was named second team all-ASC West at No. 4 singles and Bria Camarillo and Cochran were second-team at No. 3 doubles. Morgan Rainer was honorable mention at No. 2 singles



AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE
WOMEN'S TENNIS 2009 ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
SINGLES
No. 1: Lisa Mertz So. Hardin-Simmons Cleburne, TX (CHS)
No. 2: Michelle Hagler So. Texas-Tyler Austin, TX (Westwood HS)
No. 3: Brittany Brazell Jr. Hardin-Simmons Abilene, TX (Wylie HS)
No. 4: Lauren Giovannini So. Texas-Tyler Dallas, TX (Bishop Lynch HS)
No. 5: Brittany Ude Jr. Texas-Tyler Corpus Christi, TX (Flour Bluff HS)
No. 6: Danielle Cochran So. Hardin-Simmons Grapevine, TX (GHS)
DOUBLES
No. 1: Beth Launius & Michelle Hagler Texas-Tyler
No. 2: Jennifer Cheung & Diane Crouch Hardin-Simmons
No. 3: Sydni Hermsdorf & Hillary Stone Texas-Tyler


ASC WEST DIVISION HONORS AND AWARDS

West Division Player of the Year: Lisa Mertz, So., Hardin-Simmons University
West Division Newcomer of the Year: Kristina Hernandez, Jr., Sul Ross State University
West Division Freshman of the Year: Megan Aarhus, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
West Division Co-Coaches of the Year:
Kay Whitley, Sul Ross State University; Shane Williford, Hardin-Simmons University
West Division Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year: Lisa Mertz, So., Hardin-Simmons University

(# indicates tie in voting at that position)
ASC ALL-WEST DIVISION
-FIRST TEAM-
Singles
No. 1: Lisa Mertz So. Hardin-Simmons Cleburne, TX (CHS)
No. 2: Kayla Smith So. Howard Payne Pasadena, TX (Memorial HS)
No. 3: Brittany Brazell Jr. Hardin-Simmons Abilene, TX (Wylie HS)
No. 4: Amber Long Jr. Mary Hardin-Baylor Copperas Cove, TX (CCHS)
No. 5: Jennifer Cheung So. Hardin-Simmons Abilene, TX (Cooper HS)
No. 6: Danielle Cochran So. Hardin-Simmons Grapevine, TX (GHS)
Doubles
No. 1: Lisa Mertz & Brittany Brazell Hardin-Simmons
No. 2: Jennifer Chueng & Diane Crouch Hardin-Simmons
No. 3: Amber Long & Andrea Wharton Mary Hardin-Baylor

-SECOND TEAM-
Singles
No. 1: Megan Aarhus# Fr. Mary Hardin-Baylor Georgetown, TX (GHS)
Laci Fitzgerald# Jr. Howard Payne Gruver, TX (GHS)
No. 2: Mallory Aarhus Fr. Mary Hardin-Baylor Georgetown, TX (GHS)
No. 3: Kristina Hernandez Jr. Sul Ross State Odessa, TX (Permian HS)
No. 4: Lauren Jay Fr. Hardin-Simmons Kingwood, TX (KHS)
No. 5: Cassie Emerson# Fr. Howard Payne Wills Point, TX (WPHS)
Christi Voss# So. Mary Hardin-Baylor Jarrell, TX (JHS)
No. 6: Andrea Wharton Jr. Mary Hardin-Baylor Groesbeck, TX (GHS)
Doubles
No. 1: Megan Arhus & Mallory Aarhus Mary Hardin-Baylor
No. 2: Rebecca Everett & Christi Voss# Mary Hardin-Baylor
Kathryn Head & Kori Stark# Howard Payne
Lauren Ivey & Lauren Lettunich# Sul Ross State
No. 3: Bria Camarillo & Danielle Cochran Hardin-Simmons

-HONORABLE MENTION-
Singles
No. 1: Lauren Ivey Fr. Sul Ross State Imperial, TX (Buena Vista HS)
No. 2: Christie Gallardo# Jr. Sul Ross State El Paso, TX (Eastwood HS)
Morgan Rainer# Fr. Hardin-Simmons Texarkana, TX (Pleasant Grove HS)
No. 3: Kathryn Head Fr. Howard Payne Angelton, TX (AHS)
Rebecca Everett So. Mary Hardin-Baylor Breckenridge, TX (BHS)
No. 4: Kori Stark Fr. Howard Payne Levelland, TX (LHS)
No. 6: Janet Hernandez Fr. McMurry Slaton, TX (SHS)
Doubles
No. 2: Gavee Olsen & Hilary Stone McMurry
No. 3: Cassie Emerson & Laci Fitzgerald Howard Payne



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