April 24, 2008

All-Big Ten Selections Release

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern had one of its best showings ever in the annual Big Ten award selections. Four Wildcats were named to the All-Big Ten team, while freshman Maria Mosolova (Moscow, Russia/No. 204) was named both Player and Freshman of the Year. Head coach Claire Pollard was selected as Coach of the Year for the fourth-time in her 10-year tenure.

Mosolova, the fourth-ranked singles player in the nation, broke into the Big Ten and NCAA ranks with a storm behind her this season. She finished the dual regular season with an 18-2 mark (10-0 in-conference), and had the highest overall winning percentage among the 'Cats with her 33-4 record (.892). Mosolova was the seventh-consecutive Wildcat named Big Ten Player of the Year and the fourth-consecutive to be named Freshman of the Year. She becomes the first Wildcat to receive both awards concurrently since Audra Cohen in 2005.

Head coach Claire Pollard was selected as Coach of the Year, after finishing the regular season with the best record (23-1) in her 10 years at the helm. Pollard, who wins her fourth accolade (with the last coming in 2005), just finished her fourth-consecutive 10-0 Big Ten regular season. In her 10 years as head coach, she has compiled a 94-6 regular season, 31-0 postseason and 125-6 overall mark against Big Ten opponents. Under the guidance of coach Pollard, the Wildcats are currently unbeaten in their last 60 conference matches.

Georgia Rose (Mettawa, Ill./North Shore Country Day), Samantha Murray (Altrincham, England), Lauren Lui (Houston, Texas/Kinkaid) and Mosolova were each selected to the All-Big Ten team. It marks the first time since 1984 that four Wildcats were selected to the 12-member team.

Rose, who finished the regular season ranked No. 8 in singles, earns her 3rd honor in as many years. She currently stands at 33-10 overall in singles, and has amassed six wins over top 40 players. Rose also put up a perfect 11-0 mark at No. 1 doubles with partner Lauren Lui. The tandem is currently ranked No. 18 nationally.

Murray earns her second All-Big Ten honor in consecutive seasons. Currently ranked No. 30 in singles, she has recorded more wins this season than any other 'Cat, with 35. Five of her conference victories this season came in critical `superbreaker' third sets. Murray defeated five nationally ranked singles opponents this season. She went 10-1 in dual doubles with partner Suzie Matzenauer, and is ranked No. 14 nationally with partner Lauren Lui.

Lui, who earns her first career accolade, is ranked nationally at No. 50 singles. She won 17-consecutive dual matches to end the regular season and went a perfect 20-0 from No. 4 this season, including 10-0 in conference. Lui, who has not lost at No. 4 in her last 27 attempts, posted six wins over nationally ranked singles opponents. She has also been recognized for her dominant performance in doubles, as she is currently ranked with two different partners in the nation's top 20.

Senior Alexis Conill (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons) was honored as NU's representative for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. Recipients of the award have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The student-athlete must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship off the court. Conill, who will graduate with a degree in Economics this spring, has certainly demonstrated these qualities as a leader for the 'Cats.

Northwestern continues the path toward a record-breaking 10th-consecutive Big Ten title Friday, as it nears the conclusion of its storybook season. The Wildcats kick-off their Big Ten Championship debut at 9 a.m. Friday, April 25, against No. 8-seeded Minnesota in West Lafayette, Ind. The tournament is scheduled to run April 24-27, at the Schwartz Tennis Center at Purdue University. For more information, including schedules, brackets and results, please visit the Big Ten Championship Website.