March 22, 2011
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa junior Sonja Molnar has been named Big Ten Player of the Week after going 2-0 at the No. 1 singles position against LSU and Tulane. It marked the first time this season a Hawkeye has been honored as the women’s tennis player of the week. Molnar was the last Iowa player to earn the award, as she won it on March 23, 2010. She has earned the honor five times in her career.
Molnar, currently ranked No. 114 by the ITA, defeated her first ranked opponent of the season March 16 against LSU. The Guelph, Ontario native topped No. 56 Whitney Wolf 7-5, 7-5. Molnar then beat Tulane’s Mariam Kurdadze, a two-time first team all-Conference USA performer, 7-6, 6-1, to clinch a 4-3 victory on March 18. Molnar is currently on a four-match win streak and is 8-3 during dual matches this season.
Molnar also teamed with senior Jessica Young in doubles during the two matches. The 40th ranked duo dropped an 8-6 decision to Wolf and Kaitlin Burns of LSU before beating Tulane’s Kurdadze and Emma Levy 8-3. The duo is 6-3 during dual matches this season.
Molnar was an all-Big Ten first-team selection in 2010 after compiling a 17-4 dual match record. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2009.
Iowa will open Big Ten play at Ohio State and Penn State this weekend.