Hernandez named CUSA Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Women’s Tennis redshirt junior Sayda Hernandez has been named the Conference USA Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week, presented by Blenders Eyewear, the league announced Wednesday.

The Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, native went 5-0 last week in WKU’s three wins. In singles play, Hernandez defeated Alabama A&M’s Gabrille Henderson 6-2, 6-3 during last Wednesday’s 4-0 sweep in Huntsville, Alabama. She followed with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Tennessee State’s Jovana Nikolic and a 6-2, 6-0 win over Tennessee State’s Perri Howard in WKU’s doubleheader sweeps on Saturday at the Warren County Tennis Facility.

In doubles play, Hernandez paired up with Sofia Blanco – who has also claimed CUSA Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week honors this season – to defeat Alabama A&M’s Hannah Nagpall and Sofia Sotelo Raya 6-1 and Tennessee State’s Jovana Nikolic and Natalie Walsh 6-1.

This marks the first time in program history WKU has had two CUSA Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week winners in the same season, and Wednesday marked the latest in a season a Lady Topper has received the recognition. Blanco was named CUSA Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week on March 13.

WKU is 12-7 overall this season, and with the doubleheader sweep against Tennessee State on Saturday the Lady Toppers set a new record for the longest home winning streak in program history. The Lady Toppers are set to return to action Thursday at home for matches against North Alabama and Kentucky Wesleyan.