By: by Mark Toma
KENNESAW, Ga. – For the first time in the program’s history the Kennesaw State women’s tennis team had two players receive Atlantic Sun Conference postseason honors as Vera Shkundina and Therese Lagerkvist were honored by the conference on Wednesday afternoon in an announcement made by the conference office.
Shkundina was a Second Team All-Conference selection while Lagerkvist was a unanimous pick for the All-Freshman Team as the postseason awards were announced prior to the 2010 Atlantic Sun Conference Women’s Tennis Championship beginning Thursday.
“It’s great to have two players honored and to have an all-freshman team selection for the third consecutive season,” said Kennesaw State head coach Brandon Padgett. “This is a testament to the continued growth of our program and the talent that’s coming to Kennesaw State.”
Shkunina earned all-conference honors for the second consecutive season. Last year, the Ufa, Russia native was both a First Team All-Conference pick and an All-Freshman team selection. She was a Second Team selection as well as an All-Freshman Team pick.
Shkundina posted a 16-7 record this spring, including a 6-4 conference mark while playing all season at the No. 1 flight. She has won eight of her last 10 matches and has a five-match winning streak heading into the conference tournament.
“It’s great to see Vera follow up with a very solid sophomore season,” said head coach Brandon Padgett. “She deserves this recognition and I’m sure her success will continue in the future.”
Lagerkvist became the third consecutive Kennesaw State player to earn A-Sun All-Freshman team honors, joining Shkundina last season and teammate Ayano Tanaka in 2008.
“This is a tremendous honor for Tess and we couldn’t be more pleased for her and this accomplishment,” added Padgett. “She is a very hard worker and I am proud of her for the effort she puts into her game.”
The Koping, Sweden native has a team-best 17-6 record this spring, including a team-best nine match winning streak, and has a 23-10 overall record in singles matches. A winner in eight of her last 10 matches, Lagerkvist has played in the No. 3-6 flights this season and has an 11-4 record at the No. 6 flight.
Kennesaw State has had three players earn postseason A-Sun awards since joining the conference in he 2006 season.
2010 Selections
2nd Team All-Conference – Vera Shkundina
All-Freshman Team – Therese Lagerkvist
2009 Selections
2nd Team All-Conference – Vera Shkundina
All-Freshman Team – Vera Shkundina
2008 Selections
All-Freshman Team – Ayano Tanaka
