Shannon Mathews earned her second straight bid into the NCAA Singles Championship after a 20-9 senior campaign.

Shannon Mathews Named BIG EAST Women's Tennis Player Of The Week

March 7, 2012

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Coming off a 2-0 week in doubles and 1-1 showing in singles, Notre Dame women’s tennis senior co-captain Shannon Mathews has been tabbed the BIG EAST Women’s Tennis Player of the Week, it was announced Wednesday. It is the second weekly honor for Mathews on the season and third of her career.

The Birmingham, Mich., native teamed with Kristy Frilling (Sidney, Ohio) at No. 1 doubles to knock off the Iowa pairing of Morven McCulloch and Shelby Talcott, 8-1, on Friday before defeating Duke’s 21st-ranked pairing of Beatrice Capra and Rachel Kahan (8-4) the following day in helping the Irish win the doubles point in both contests. The victory over Capra and Kahan represents the sixth win of the season for the Irish duo over ranked opposition.

In singles action, Mathews opened up the weekend with a 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 1-0 (10-6) triumph over 110th-ranked Sonja Molnar of Iowa at No. 1 singles. Molnar entered the match undefeated on the season, sporting a 6-0 dual record, before falling to the Irish senior. Mathews’ lone loss of the week came at the hands of Duke’s Capra, the No. 2 player in the country, 6-7 (4-7), 2-6.

Mathews and the Irish return to action March 12 against Texas Tech in the first of three spring break contests in Hawaii.

BIG EAST Women's Tennis Player of the WeekMarch 5  Shannon Mathews       Notre DameFeb. 28 Loreto Alonso Martinez  USFFeb. 21  Kristy Frilling       Notre DameFeb. 14 Jasmin Kling        DePaulFeb. 7  Rebeca Mitrea       DePaulJan. 31  Shannon Mathews       Notre DameJan. 24 Loreto Alonso Martinez  USF

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