The University of Akron Athletics
Shkundina, Geier & Blinova Honored With Team Awards
April 24 | Women's Tennis
AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron women's tennis team honored three of its players during the team's annual end-of-year awards luncheon on Friday.
Senior Olga Shkundina (Ufa, Russia) earned the Coaches' Award. Freshman Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) was named the team's Most Improved Player, while freshman Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) was named the Most Valuable Player.
"It is always a privilege to honor our student-athletes at the end of the season, but this season is definitely bitter sweet," Zips head coach Brandon Padgett said. " Today is the perfect dichotomy of endings and beginnings. It is a sad day seeing Olga leave our program, but a new chapter is beginning for her after gradation. Ariadna and Sophia are in the midst of their college careers beginning to blossom, which is exciting for them and for our program. I could not be more proud of the effort of this entire team this season, and it was an honor to reward these three young ladies for their outstanding accomplishments."
The Zips' lone senior, Shkundina played the season at No. 2 and No. 3 singles with a 5-2 Conference record and 12-5 mark overall. Shkundina also played No. 2 and No. 3 doubles with a 2-2 MAC mark and 5-4 record overall. Named the 2015 recipient of the Mid-American Conference's Leann Grimes Davidge Sportsmanship Award, Shkundina was also a second-team All-MAC selection.
Shkundina earned the 2013-14 and the 2-14-15 Coaches' Award and was named the 2012 Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year. She began college at age 15, graduated in four years with a degree in sports management, and competed at the highest level while fighting serious injuries.
"Olga had consistent results while playing injured," Padgett said. "She was amazing, and her attitude and effort were always outstanding."
Geier finished her inaugural season at 20-11 in singles play and 14-17 in doubles action for a 34-28 overall record. The 34 wins were the most of any Zip.
"Sophie showed massive improvement in her game from the beginning of the fall to the end of spring," Padgett said.
Blinova finished her freshman campaign with a team-best 21-10 singles mark and a 10-14 doubles mark for a 31-24 overall record.
"Ariadna had the most wins on the team," Padgett added.
Akron (11-11 overall, 3-5 MAC) concluded the 2014-15 season last weekend with a 6-1 win over Northern Illinois.
Players Mentioned
