April 29, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - - St. Agnes graduate Ashley Murdock became the first Lady Tiger tennis player since 2004 to be named to the All-Conference USA team it was announced Tuesday by the league office. Murdock was voted to the second team by the league coaches, giving Memphis its first all-league player since Marlene Dirnstorfer earned third team honors in 2004.

Murdock capped her first season in Memphis with a 15-4 overall mark, including a 9-4 record at No. 1 singles and a 4-0 mark at No. 2. She closed the season with a six-match winning streak as she helped the Lady Tigers to a nine-win season after the team won just one match last season.

Murdock also teamed with fellow sophomore Marjorie Ondeck at No. 1 doubles throughout the spring, posting a 6-6 mark at No. 1 and a 3-1 mark at No. 2. The duo won two straight matches to close out the season after being paired together after Murdock joined the Memphis roster in January after transferring from LSU.

In Memphis history, just four other players have received All-Conference USA honors. Christina Ladyman was the program's lone four-time honoree, while Sabrina Lindemann was honored three times. Monica Gonzalez-Gordo was honored both years she was in Memphis and Dirnstorfer earned her third-team honor in her senior season.

The Lady Tigers have no seniors graduating off the 2007-08 squad, so will return seven letterwinners next season, including Murdock. Three of those players are Memphis natives. Both Murdock and junior Kristin Chamberlain are graduates of St. Agnes, while freshman Lindsey Wiseman just finished her first collegiate season after graduating from Briarcrest.