May 13, 2008

SKILLMAN, N.J. - Conference USA was awarded four Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Regional Awards as announced by the governing body of college tennis. Tulsa men's tennis head coach Vince Westbook was named the Central Region's Coach of the Year, while Tulsa's Victor Kolik and Rice's Bruno Rosa were named Rookie Player of the Year in the Central and South Central regions, respectively. On the women's side, Marshall's Kellie Schmitt was named the East Region Player to Watch.

Westbrook has tallied a 246-191 (.563) career mark with the Tulsa men's program and led the nationally-ranked Golden Hurricane to its fifth conference championship title overall and third as a member of C-USA. In Tulsa's eight C-USA championship matches over the last three seasons, the Golden Hurricane has outscored its opponents, 37-3. His team recently lost a 4-3 heartbreaker to Oklahoma State in the NCAA Championship. The loss ends one of TU's best seasons under Westbrook, finishing with a record of 22-5, including a mark of 13-5 against ranked opponents. His team also obtained the highest ranking in school history earlier this season at No. 8.

Kolik, the C-USA Freshman of the Year, went 13-5 in 2008 at the No. 2 and 3 spots for Tulsa. The native of Israel went 7-3 at No. 2 and 5-1 at No. 3 for TU and was 4-4 against ranked opponents. In league play, he finished 2-0 and was named C-USA Player of the Week on one occasion this spring.

Rosa was named the 2008 C-USA Newcomer of the Year. The first-year performer saw almost all of his action at the top of the Owls' lineup and finished the spring with a team-best 17-6 record. Rosa strung together 14-straight victories to start the spring season that included the 2008 National Collegiate Tennis Classic championship. Rosa was named C-USA Player of the Week four times this spring and went 8-6 against ranked foes. He is ranked No. 14 in the ITA rankings.

Schmitt garnered her second consecutive Conference USA Player of the Year honor and All-Conference First Team honors in 2008. She gained an automatic bid into the 2008 NCAA Singles Competition as the No. 55 player in the country. Schmitt stands as the No. 3 East Regional singles player with an impressive 22-3 spring season mark and 33-7 overall season record. Schmitt garnered three C-USA Player of the Week awards this spring and earned the 2007 October Player of the Month.

National award winners will be announced May 20th.The Regional award winners are finalists for the national awards. For the complete list of winners, visit www.itatennis.com