Sharapova Named AAC Women’s Tennis Player Of The Week

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (SMU) – SMU senior Dasha Sharapova was named the American Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Week, league officials announced Tuesday.

The Gomel, Belarus, native earns her third career conference honor after going a combined 6-0 in singles and doubles play, while leading the Mustangs to 3-0 record last week against Georgia State, Cincinnati and Kansas State. Sharapova picked up the honor once during her sophomore season (March 17, 2015) and again last season (Feb. 16, 2016).

In doubles play, Sharapova and classmate Mary Wright paired up for the first time this spring and recorded a 3-0 record. On Monday, the duo defeated Georgia State’s Daniela Ramirez and Anastasia Grosheva, 6-2, to clinch the doubles point for the Mustangs. After a quick turnaround, the duo then defeated Cincinnati’s Antonella Bramato and Caroline Morton, 6-2, Tuesday before recording their third victory (6-3) Saturday against Kansas State’s Iva Bago and Livia Cirnu.

Sharapova leads the Mustangs with a 14-2 record in singles play after going 3-0 in the No. 3 singles slot. She defeated Georgia State’s Ramirez, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, Cincinnati’s Bramato, 7-5, 6-3 and Kansas State’s Ines Mesquita, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.

Sharapova is the second Mustang to garner Player of the Week accolades this season. Freshman Sarai Monarrez Yesaki received the honor two weeks ago (March 7, 2017).

SMU is 13-3 this spring and continues its homestand Sunday, March 26 against Louisiana Tech. First serve is slated for 12 p.m. CT at the SMU Tennis Complex.