[BostonCard]

The ITA's annual national awards just came out, and Lele Forood is the Coach of the Year, while Michaela Gordon is the Rookie of the Year. 

And for Michaela:

At the time of awards nominations, Gordon had posted a 21-8 overall record, including a 12-7 mark in dual matches. She was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Stanford's first selection since 2011. She is ranked No. 15 nationally. Has played all of her dual matches at the top spot of the lineup, serving as a stabilizing force while junior All-American Melissa Lord was out due to injury. Selected to compete in the NCAA National Singles Championship. Ranks second on the team with four clinchers. Was 11-3 against Pac-12 players and 8-6 against nationally-ranked opponents. ITA Northwest Regional Championships singles champion in her collegiate debut.

Interesting that "clinchers" is kept as a stat.  It's a bit odd, because it basically rewards being the third (or fourth) best player on the team, adjusted for position, and thus unfairly punishes players that are so good as to sweep their opponent in straight sets (like Shin and Higuchi).  Obviously to be a "clincher" you have to be good enough to win, and can't still be on the court once the match is decided, but if you win too fast, that actually hurts.

BC

[BostonCard]

The ITA's annual national awards just came out, and Lele Forood is the Coach of the Year, while Michaela Gordon is the Rookie of the Year. 

And for Michaela:

At the time of awards nominations, Gordon had posted a 21-8 overall record, including a 12-7 mark in dual matches. She was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Stanford's first selection since 2011. She is ranked No. 15 nationally. Has played all of her dual matches at the top spot of the lineup, serving as a stabilizing force while junior All-American Melissa Lord was out due to injury. Selected to compete in the NCAA National Singles Championship. Ranks second on the team with four clinchers. Was 11-3 against Pac-12 players and 8-6 against nationally-ranked opponents. ITA Northwest Regional Championships singles champion in her collegiate debut.

Interesting that "clinchers" is kept as a stat.  It's a bit odd, because it basically rewards being the third (or fourth) best player on the team, adjusted for position, and thus unfairly punishes players that are so good as to sweep their opponent in straight sets (like Shin and Higuchi).  Obviously to be a "clincher" you have to be good enough to win, and can't still be on the court once the match is decided, but if you win too fast, that actually hurts.

BC