The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its 2019 All-Conference awards for women's tennis. Averett University's #15 Heidi Sarkkinen earned Player of the Year, N.C. Wesleyan College's #9 Fariza Abdulloeva was named Rookie of the Year while her coach, Albie Brice, collected Coach of the Year accolades. Also, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team, which Abdulloeva was also named to.

All awards are voted on by the women's tennis coach at each institution. The divisional team voting is completed only by those coaches in the particular division. The all-conference and individual award voting is completed by all coaches.

Abdulloeva, a freshman from Samarkland, Uzbekistan, who is ranked 9th in the nation, is just the third Battling Bishop to earn USA South Rookie of the Year. Playing at the number-one singles position throughout the season, Abdulloeva has earned a 12-3 overall record with a perfect 6-0 mark against USA South opposition. Abdulloeva is currently the ninth ranked singles player in the ITA Division III Atlantic South Region rankings with a 17-4 overall record and a runner up finish at the Fall ITA Tournament. In doubles play, at the two top positions, Abdulloeva has teamed with five different partners to earn a 13-4 overall record and an undefeated 7-0 mark during League play. For her efforts this season, Abdulloeva earned First Team All-Conference honors as well as First Team East Division accolades. Finally, Abdulloeva was named USA South Rookie of the Week three times this spring.

In his third season at the helm of N.C. Wesleyan, Brice earns his first USA South Women's Tennis Coach of the Year honor. This spring, Brice has led N.C. Wesleyan to a 12-4 overall record and a perfect 7-0 League mark, good for the program's third USA South Regular Season championship. The Battling Bishops are currently ranked 11th in the latest ITA Division III Atlantic South Region rankings and head into the USA South Tournament as the East Division top-seeded team and the defending champions.

Rookie of the Year
Fariza Abdulloeva N.C. Wesleyan	Albie Brice N.C. Wesleyan

Freshman Milena Amedieva, ranked #14 in the nation and who pairs with Fariza on the top doubles team and is the primary #2 player on the Bishops was also selected to the all-conference first team with Abdulloeva. Amedieva was 14-5 on the season including a big upset win (7-6, 7-6) over Averett's Sarkkinen, handing her her first loss in three years. 

Other than Abdulloeva and Amedieva on the first team, #3 and #4 singles players, sophomores Julianna Johnson and Giulia Zanetti were also selected to the all-East Division second team.

Brice and Abdulloeva are looking to lead the Lady Bishops into their conference semifinal today vs. Averett at 2 PM at McCluskey Courts.

https://usasouth.net/sports/wten/2018-19/releases/20190411i6bi78