Women's Tennis | 4/15/2010 3:07:32 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for women's tennis. A total of 32 student-athletes have been named to the teams including five Methodist players.

Methodist University's Kaitlin Flaherty has been named the Player of the Year while her coach, Francie Barragan, was named the Coach of the Year.

Flaherty, a junior from League City, Texas, collected her third-career individual USA South honor. Last season, as a sophomore, she was named Player of the Year and, as a freshman in 2008, earned Rookie of the Year honors. Playing at the number-one singles position, she compiled a 18-2 overall dual match record and an unblemished, 8-0, mark in USA South action. At the number-one doubles position, Flaherty teamed with Katherine Meindl to earn a 16-3 overall dual match record and a perfect, 9-0, mark in conference play. For her efforts this season, Flaherty collected her third consecutive First Team All-Conference honor. Finally, Flaherty earned USA South Player of the Week accolades five times this season.

In her fifth season at the helm of Methodist, Barragan earned her third consecutive USA South Coach of the Year honor. This is the fourth such honor for Barragan during her time with the Monarchs. This spring, she led Methodist to the program's 15th regular season championship as the Monarchs compiled an overall record of 19-2 and an unblemished USA South mark of 9-0. The regular season crown is Methodist's third consecutive and ninth in the last ten years.

Joining Flaherty on the First Team was her doubles partner Meindl. Meindl was 18-3 overall primarily at No. 2 singles while finishing undefeated at 9-0 in the USA South.

Rachel Purser was a Second Team selection while Heather Brayton and Dana Powell were named Honorable Mentions.

Also, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team, consisting of one member from each competing school. All honors are determined by votes from the women's tennis coach at each institution. Jennifer Hamel was chosen to represent Methodist.

The 2010 USA South Women's Tennis All-Conference Teams follow:

First Team Kaitlin Flaherty - Methodist  Emelie Lundgren - N.C. Wesleyan Kathryn Maples - Meredith Katherine Meindl - Methodist  Ashley Pearsall - Meredith Emilia Vuorela - Averett	Second Team Casey Collins - Meredith Morgan Huff - Christopher Newport Samia Kacher - N.C. Wesleyan Briana Malley - Shenandoah Kim Morrissett - Christopher Newport Rachel Purser - Methodist
Third Team Katie Allegro - Greensboro Marion Gloor - Christopher Newport Meredith Kelly - Greensboro Michelle Lemmons - Greensboro Kristin Seidel - N.C. Wesleyan Erin Spinks - Christopher Newport	Honorable Mention Carole Ateba - N.C. Wesleyan Heather Brayton - Methodist  Dana Powell - Methodist  Kristen Starnes - Peace
All-Sportsmanship Team Ilona Kilpi - Averett Erin Spinks - Christopher Newport Lea McMillan - Ferrum Michelle Lemmons - Greensboro Renee Miller - Mary Baldwin Betty Edwards - Meredith Jenn Hamel - Methodist  Bristy Parker - N.C. Wesleyan Elizabeth Burns - Peace Brittany Bascope - Shenandoah

Player of the Year
Kaitlin Flaherty - Methodist

Rookie of the Year
Emilia Vuorela - Averett

Coach of the Year
Francie Barragan - Methodist