Three Jayhawks Named to Academic All-Big 12 Tennis Team

April 25, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Three members of the University of Kansas tennis squad were named Academic All-Big 12 First Team, the conference office announced on Tuesday.

Senior Christine Skoda and sophomores Elizaveta Avdeeva and Stephanie Smith were each named to a list of 38 student-athletes who have maintained at least a 3.20 GPA, therefore garnering first-team accolades.

Skoda, an Edmonton, Alberta, native who is majoring in sports management, was named to last year’s team as well, earning second-team honors. Avdeeva, (Obninsk, Russia) is currently majoring in organizational communications, while Smith (Salina, Kan.) is a business administration major.

This marks the second year in a row that KU placed three members on the Academic All-Big 12 team. Joining Skoda on last season’s list were Luiza Loureiro and current Jayhawk Ashley Filberth, who were each named to the 2005 first team.

All three of this year’s recipients have put together strong seasons for Kansas. At the regular season’s end, Avdeeva leads KU with a 17-6 record in spring dual matches, and also boasts a team-high 20 combined fall and spring doubles wins teamed with freshman Ksenia Bukina. Skoda, who has occupied the No. 3 singles position this spring, is 14-9 in dual play heading into the Big 12 Championships, while Smith is 7-6 in singles action in dual matches.

KU begins play in the 2006 Big 12 Championships on Thursday in Waco, Texas. The eighth-seeded Jayhawks will face ninth-seeded Colorado, a team they defeated 4-3 earlier this season in Boulder.

To view the entire 2006 Academic All-Big 12 team, visit http://www.big12sports.com/sports/c-tennis/spec-rel/042506aaa.html.