Buckeyes Celebrate 2010 Campaign – Ohio State Buckeyes
6/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s tennis team held its annual team banquet last Friday at the Ohio State University Golf Club, with the squad looking back on its record-breaking season and honoring individuals for their efforts during the season.
Junior Paloma Escobedo moved on from her Most Improved award last year to the Most Valuable Player award following a season of strong performances. The Houston, Texas, native tallied 20 singles and 20 doubles victories. She paired with Christina Keesey to compile a team-best 8-2 Big Ten doubles ledger.
Sophomore Kelsey Haviland was honored with Most Improved accolades after winning 23 singles and 17 doubles matches. The Dayton, Ohio native more than tripled her doubles win total from her freshman campaign (5) and bested her previous singles win mark by nine.
Kara Cecil picked up the Coaches Award after a season of hard work and enthusiasm on and off the courts. The freshman from Plant City, Fla., earned four singles wins and three doubles victories.
Senior Kirsten Flower, from Upper Arlington, Ohio, joined with Keesey to form the 2010 senior class. Flower, who was 22-11 while playing at No. 1 singles this year and ranked nationally throughout the season, was a two-time All-Big Ten selection, earning a unanimous selection as a senior. She and her father, Jim, are believed to be the first father/daughter duo to earn All-Big Ten honors in tennis.
Keesey, a native of Northfield, Minn., ended her career fifth in the Buckeye record books with 81 singles victories, with an 18-14 ledger in 2010. She had 20 doubles wins in 2009-10 and ended her career with 82 to rank ninth in Ohio State history.
The Buckeyes were 20-10 on the year to mark the program record for victories in a season. The squad, which ended the year ranked 33rd, was rated a program-best 17th during the year. The team advanced to the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive season and the ninth time under head coach Chuck Merzbacher.
