RICHMOND, VA. – The Colonial Athletic Association announced that Elon University women’s tennis had four student-athletes in Lizette Reding, Sibel Tanik, Victoria Saldh and Alison O’Dea named to All-Conference Teams on Tuesday, May 11.
“I’m very proud of our team and each of these individual honors is a great reflection of the entire team and how hard they work to push each other in practice each day,” head coach Elizabeth Anderson began. Lizette had an incredible season and won all of her singles matches against opponents from the CAA. She also has a very strong work ethic, great attitude and is very team oriented. I am very happy that she is able receive this recognition.”
Reding led the way for the Phoenix, earning CAA Rookie of the Year as well as Second Team All-CAA honors following a 16-3 finish in singles play. In the No. 3 singles slot, Reding racked up a 13-2 record, including winning eight out of her last nine matches to end the season. Throughout the year, Reding earned key victories over Radford, UNCW, Longwood, James Madison, William & Mary and Charleston. For her play, Reding becomes the first Elon student-athlete to win the CAA Rookie of the Year in program history.
Tanik picked up All-CAA First Team honors after finishing second on the team in singles wins (13), while also piling up a 12-4 mark in the No. 2 singles position. Tanik emerged victorious in her final six matches and won seven of her final nine matches overall. During the year, Tanik posted key wins against Radford, Towson, UNCW, William & Mary, UNCG, Charleston and Drexel. In the match against William & Mary, Tanik clinched the win for the Elon, giving the Phoenix its first victory over the Tribe in program history. In doubles play, Tanik finished with the second most wins on the team with 11.
Saldh rounded out the individual honors for the Phoenix with her selection to the All-CAA Third Team. After finishing the year tied for second on the team in singles wins (13), Saldh picked up the first All-CAA postseason honor of her career. Saldh finished the year with nine wins in No. 1 singles and a team-high 12 doubles victories. This season, Saldh claimed key wins for the Phoenix against Campbell, Radford, Towson, UNCW and UNCG. Following her match against Campbell, Saldh was named the CAA Player of the Week after leading Elon to its first victory against the Camels in program history.
Reding and O’Dea earned the final postseason honors for Elon, picking up an All-CAA Third Team Doubles selection. The tandem finished the year second on the team in doubles wins (11) and won seven of their final ten matches. Throughout the year, Reding and O’Dea were named CAA Doubles Team of the Week after helping secure the doubles point in Elon’s first ever program win against William & Mary. The duo concluded the year with a 4-2 mark in the No. 1 doubles slot and a 6-3 mark in No. 2 doubles.