March 31, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS - UIC senior Kathryn Sharples has been named the Horizon League women's tennis Player of the Week for March 24-30, as announced by the conference on Monday. The honor comes to Sharples for the first time in her career following a 4-0 performance against Butler and Wright State.

The Stewkley, England, native assisted in the Flames' two wins over the weekend as they defeated Butler, 6-1, on Saturday (March 29) before shutting out Wright State, 7-0, on Sunday (March 30) for their second league win.

At No. 1 doubles, Sharples combined with Mariana Palacios to defeat the Bulldogs' Stephani McLoughlin and Kailey Eaton, 8-7 (6), and the Raiders' Vanessa Madrigal and Tori Turner, 8-3, to mark their third-straight victory.

In singles, Sharples took the lead at No. 1 and collected victories against Butler's McLoughlin, 6-3, 6-0, and Wright State's Linsey Verstrepen, 6-4, 3-6, 10-8, to remain a perfect 3-0 at the position this season. Sharples additionally continued her singles win streak against Butler and Wright State, as she has never lost a match to either opponent.

Sharples will rejoin the Flames as they prepare for another two-match weekend and travel north to Milwaukee, Wis., to take on the Panthers on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT before heading to Green Bay, Wis., for a 2 p.m. match against the Phoenix on Sunday.