May 18, 2000
LEXINGTON, Ky. –
Brooke Skeen, a junior on the University of Kentucky women’s tennis team,was honored on Thursday, May 18, with the Cissie Leary Award forSportsmanship by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
The award goes to a women’s tennis player who displays inspiring dedicationand commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team’s performance andexemplified the spirit of college tennis. The recognition is given to arecipient in each of the eight regions, with each regional award-winnereligible for the national award. Skeen was elected from the Southeastregion.
The honor bears the name of the legendary Yale University tenniscoach who set the benchmark for spirit and enthusiasm in women’s tennis.
Skeen, who produced a winning record in each of her first two years at UK,just completed her most successful season yet. The North Carolina nativeended the year with a dual match record of 25-13, five wins over top 100ranked players (including a win over 11th-ranked Baili Camino of Florida),Southeastern Conference Player of the Week honors and a top ITA ranking ofNo. 55.
“Throughout nine years of collegiate coaching, I can say that it isdifficult to find a player that has produced a greater impact on her teamthan Brooke did for our team,” coach Mark Guilbeau said. “Thanks largely toBrooke’s extremely high energy level, positive approach, competitive spiritand relentless determination, our young team was consistently influencedand pushed to become better players, students and people.”S
keen’s final match of the year took place in the NCAA Championships andwas representative of her entire season. Playing No. 2 singles for theCats, Skeen lost the first set and found herself down 5-1 in the second toCassie Haas of Texas A&M. After battling back from being down match point,the resilient junior rebounded to take the second set 7-5 and eventuallywin the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
“I have learned a lot since coming to UK,” Skeen said. “I learned what ittakes to be a successful college athlete. It takes discipline, effort,respect, hard work and teamwork. I was proud to be nominated for such agreat award and I realize that it is a great honor for me and all of myteammates.”
Skeen is now eligible for the national award that will be presented thisSunday, May 21, at Pepperdine Universtiy, the host site of this year’s NCAAChampionship.
