April 12, 2011

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Samford's Andrie Meiring was named the Southern Conference's Women's Tennis Player of the Week Tuesday after the Bulldogs' senior netter turned in an unblemished record in both singles and doubles play last week. The honor, which was awarded by the SoCon league office, was Meiring's first of the season.

Meiring was named the SoCon Player of the Week for all matches played April 4-10. She was perfect in both singles and doubles competition last week as Samford claimed conference victories over Davidson (7-0) and Appalachian State (6-1). The Player of the Week selection was made by the conference office.

Meiring posted two straight-set wins at No. 2 singles last week. She defeated Davidson's Nisha Crouser, 6-2, 6-0, on Saturday and then blanked Appalachian State's Jennifer Ansari, 6-0, 6-0, on Sunday. Meiring has now won seven of her last eight singles matches. She is 17-3 this spring and owns an 8-1 record in league play.

A native of Stellensbosch, South Africa, Meiring teamed with junior Rebecca Kirven at No. 2 doubles and came away with a pair of victories last week. The Bulldogs' duo topped Davidson's Alison Ruah and Stephani Synn, 8-3, and then held off Appalachian State's Ansari and Gisela Fernandez, 8-6. Meiring and Kirven are 14-6 in doubles play this spring, including a 6-3 record in league play.

Other top performers in the SoCon last week included College of Charleston's Emma Hayman, Elon's Jordan Johnson, Furman's Monica Arguello and UNC Greensboro's Niltooli Wilkins.

SoCon Women's Tennis Player of the Week

Feb. 15 - Monica Arguello, Furman
Feb. 22 - Madelie Janse Van Rensburg, Samford
March 1 - Niltooli Wilkins, UNC Greensboro
March 9 - Shaina Singh, Chattanooga
March 15 - Taylor Morgan, Samford
March 22 - Nitooli Wilkins, UNC Greensboro
March 29 - Monica Arguello, Furman
April 6 - Taylor Morgan, Samford
April 12 - Andrie Meiring, Samford