May 6, 2008

Third year head coach men's and women's tennis coach Robert Hubbard was selected as the 2008-09 NCAA Division I All-Independent coach of the year and guided five of his Lady Broncs to the All-Independent team, which released on Monday (May 5).

"This is another moment for our team to shine," said Hubbard. "After putting together the best season in the history of the women's tennis program, placing five individuals and two doubles teams on the All-Independent Team is the icing on the cake. The women truly had a spectacular season and are deserving of this latest accolade. I am very proud of them."

Seniors Silke Buksik (Waiblingen, Germany/ Salier-Gymnasium Waiblingen), Julia Cirne-Lima (Porto Alegre, Brazil/ Eckerd College), sophomores Megan Bedeau (Scarborough, Ontario, Canada/ Northview Heights S.S.), Luisa Cantu (Victoria, Tamps, Mexico/ Colegio Jose de Escandon) and Stephanie Willerding (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/ Northview Heights S.S.) represented The University of Texas-Pan American on the All-Independent Women's Tennis Team.

Hubbard led the Lady Broncs to the program's best all-time single season record of 17 wins with eight losses. The 17-8 overall record gave the program the highest winning percentage for a season at .720.

Buksik, Bedeau, and Cantu were named to the first team All-Independent singles' team and first team All-Independent doubles' team. Willerding was selected to the first team All-Independent doubles' team and second team All-Independent singles' team along with Cirne-Lima.

Buksik recorded 25 wins for the year in singles action playing in the number-five spot in the lineup. Buksik set a new school record of 20 wins for the year in doubles competition in the number-two spot in the rotation with teammate Megan Bedeau, surpassing the previous school record of 18 victories. The senior captain finished with the most singles and doubles wins in a season with 45.

The senior captain posted wins over nationally ranked teams from Rice (singles and doubles), Lamar (singles and doubles), New Mexico State (singles), UTEP (singles and doubles), Southeastern Louisiana (singles and doubles) and University of Arkansas Little Rock (singles). Buksik also collected 17 double-doubles for the year (winning both singles and doubles in same dual match).

Playing in the number-three position in singles' action, Bedeau finished her sophomore campaign with an 8-7 overall record and a 4-4 record playing in the number-four spot in the lineup.

In doubles' competition, Bedeau and teammate Buksik dominated their opponents collecting an 18-7 record at the number-two position. The tandem posted six victories in their last 10 matches.

Cantu recorded a 17-5 record playing in the number-six position and a 2-0 record at the number-five spot in the lineup. In her last 10 matches, Cantu posted nine wins in her last 10 matches.

In doubles' action, Cantu and partner Willerding posted a 12-10 record in the number-three spot. The duo collected seven victories in their last 10 matches of the season. They collected wins over Oral Roberts, University of El Paso, UTA, UTSA, New Mexico State, McNeese State and San Jose State.

Playing in the number-four spot in singles' play, Willerding collected an 11-5 overall record and a 3-5 record at the number-three position in the rotation.

Senior Cirne-Lima collected a 16-7 overall record playing in the number-two spot in the lineup and a 1-1 record in the number-three position. Cirne-Lima posted seven wins in her final 10 matches of the season.

The 2007-08 NCAA Division I All-Independent Women's Tennis Team was selected by Sports Information Directors and head coaches at NCAA Division I Independent institutions.

UTPA Sports Information