Fayetteville, N.C. - Apr. 16
The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for women's tennis. A total of 27 student-athletes have been named to the teams. Meredith College's Brooke Baird was named the USA South Rookie of the Year.

Baird, a freshman from Belmont, North Carolina, splitting time at both the number-one and two singles positions, compiled a 13-1 overall record and an 8-1 mark in USA South action. At the number-two doubles position, Baird teamed with Ashley Pearsall to earn a 13-2 overall record and an 9-0 mark in conference play. For her efforts this season, Baird collected First Team All-Conference honors and earned USA South Player of the Week accolades once.

Joining Baird on the first team is senior Morgan Martin. Martin, in an injury plagued season, in singles play was 5-5 overall and 2-2 in the conference. Her presence was felt more on doubles play teaming up with Kathryn Maples at the number one doubles position going 12-3 overall and 8-1 in the conference. Maples was named a second team honoree. Maples finished with an undefeated conference singles record of 7-0 and 12-2 overall.

Freshman Ashley Pearsall was put on the third team. Pearsall is coming off Rookie of the Week honors and was 13-1 in singles and undefeated in conference with an 9-0 mark. She also teamed up with Baird to be undefeated in conference doubles play. Molly Parks was named Meredith's representative on the All-Sportsmanship Team.

The Meredith tennis team is the number two seed in the USA South Athletic Conference tournament being held in Burlington, N.C. on April 17-19.

Player of the Year
Kaitlin Flaherty - Methodist

Rookie of the Year
Brooke Baird - Meredith

Coach of the Year
Francie Barragan - Methodist

The 2009 USA South Women's Tennis All-Conference Teams follow:

First Team Brooke Baird - Meredith Kaitlin Flaherty - Methodist Colleen Hightower - Shenandoah Alexandra Kerin - Peace Morgan Martin - Meredith Shannon Vivian - Methodist	Second Team Kayla Connor - Christopher Newport Lindsey Davis - Methodist Jamie Galasso - N.C. Wesleyan Johanna Heikkinen - Averett Kathryn Maples - Meredith Brittany Price - Greensboro
Third Team Briana Aviles - Mary Baldwin Alejandra Cobian - Peace Michelle Lemmons - Greensboro Briana Malley - Shenandoah Ashley Pearsall - Meredith Dana Powell - Methodist	Honorable Mention Brittany Bascope - Shenandoah Kiawna Berry - Ferrum Heather Brayton - Methodist
All-Sportsmanship Team Ilona Kilpi - Averett Mary Ann Feeney - Christopher Newport Heather Marshall - Ferrum Britney Price - Greensboro Melissa Farara - Mary Baldwin Molly Parks - Meredith Lindsey Davis - Methodist Leila Heinonen - N.C. Wesleyan Alejandra Cobian - Peace Brittany Bascope - Shenandoah