NEW ORLEANS, La. | Alabama State claimed two major awards and had five players named to Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) all-conference team announced by the conference office Thursday.
The Lady Hornets'
Reka Szentes and
Urska Velec each won the two major individual awards based on their play against conference competition this season, with Szentes winning the Player of the Year and Velec the Freshman of the Year.
Szentes finished the season 7-6 overall for Alabama State in singles play, including a 4-0 mark against conference competition, while played 11 of her 13 matches at number one singles. She finished the regular season 6-5 at number one singles, and split her matches at number two singles; while also finishing the regular season 10-5 in doubles play, including a perfect 5-0 in conference play.
Meanwhile, Velec finished the year 7-6 in her first collegiate season that included a 4-0 mark in conference play. She played in five of the six positions for Alabama State on the year, with six of those matches coming at number five singles; and she won her last six singles matches of the regular season heading into the tournament. Velec teamed with Szentes for the majority of her doubles matches, finishing 10-5 overall (10-4 with Szentes).
Worthy Goldman joined the duo on the all-conference team, finishing the regular season 8-5 overall and 4-0 in conference play. She finished the year winning three matches each at number four and five singles, while also posting a 4-4 mark in doubles play (2-0 in conference).
Lea Krajcovicova was named All-Conference after a 9-5 campaign in which she finished 5-1 in conference play. She played between number two and three singles, and posting a 5-1 mark at number two singles. She also went 8-4 in doubles play, winning all three of her doubles matches.
Maria Popova was the fifth and final member of the all-conference team from Alabama State as she finished 6-4 overall in singles play, including finishing 3-1 in conference action. Popova played in six positions for Alabama State in singles play, with four matches at number two singles. She teamed with Szentes and
Chloe Kabamba for two doubles matches, neither of which were in conference action.
The remainder of the team included Lucia Solis (Jackson State), Lily Zhang (Jackson State), Tanaka Chakanyuka (Southern), Jessica Lackey (Prairie View A&M), Anita Bozhko (Alabama A&M), Jazmine Boyd (Alabama A&M) and Anastasia Vaganova (Alcorn State).
Alabama State opens defense of its two-time defending conference championship Saturday in New Orleans.
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