HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana senior
Iva Velkovska and freshman
Audrey Chelini represented the Lady Lions on the 2009 All-Louisiana Women’s Tennis Team, which was released on Sunday by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
Velkovska was named to the first team of the All-Louisiana squad for the fourth straight season, joining former Lady Lion Emilija Arnaudovska as the only student-athletes in the program’s history to earn first team All-Louisiana honors all four seasons of their career. Chelini was named to the team as a second team selection.
Second on the school’s career singles victory list with an 81-13 singles record, Velkovska capped a tremendous career with a dominant 2009. Playing at No. 1 singles for the first time in her career, the Skopje, Macedonia native was 19-2 in singles play and 8-2 versus Southland Conference opponents, earning second team All-SLC recognition.
Velkovska teamed with Chelini, who hails from France, for a 10-9 record at No. 1 doubles. Chelini was very effective at No. 2 singles, posting a 14-7 singles mark.
LSU’s Megan Falcon was named the state’s Player of the Year for the third straight season. Mariam Kurdaze of Tulane was selected the state’s Freshman of the Year. UNO’s Kozue Matsumoto was tabbed the Louisiana Newcomer of the Year, while Alan Green of Xavier was the Coach of the Year pick.
The 2009 All-Louisiana Women’s Tennis Team was selected and nominated by the state’s sports information directors.
2009 LSWA All-Louisiana Women’s Tennis Teams
First Team
Megan Falcon – LSU – Senior – Alameda, Calif.
Iva Velkovska – Southeastern Louisiana – Senior – Skopje, Macedonia
Claire Clark – Louisiana-Monroe – Sophomore – Bossier City, La.
Anastesia Opata – Xavier – Junior – Lawrenceville, Ga.
Mariam Kurdaze – Tulane – Freshman – Tsilisi, Republic of Georgia
Marion Lehmann – Louisiana-Monroe – Senior – Besancon, France
Second Team
Angelina Callis – Xavier – Junior – Los Angeles, Calif.
Bianca Schulz – Northwestern State – Sophomore – Wiesenstiasse, Germany
Mykala Hedberg – LSU – Senior – Oxnard, Calif.
Nicole Kantor – LSU – Junior – St. Louis, Mo.
Audrey Chelini – Southeastern Louisiana – Freshman – France
Angela Dagond – Louisiana-Lafayette – Senior – Columbia
Honorable Mention: Staten Spencer, LSU; Kozue Matsumoto, UNO; Kathrin Lange, Northwestern State
Player of the Year: Megan Falcon, LSU
Newcomer of the Year: Kozue Matsumoto, UNO
Freshman of the Year: Mariam Kurdaze, Tulane
Coach of the Year: Alan Green, Xavier