Pons and Horiguchi Garner All-Conference Awards
4/21/2021 12:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Carla Pons earns Player To Watch and Second Team Singles; Horiguchi earns First Team Singles
ARLINGTON, Texas – Two UTA women's tennis players earned Sun Belt Conference honors for helping lead the Mavericks to an undefeated conference regular season and regular season Sun Belt Conference Championship, the first since joining the league in 2013.  Carla Pons was named Player to Watch and earned a spot on the All-Sun Belt Singles Second Team, while Momoka Horiguchi garnered an All-Sun Belt Singles First Team selection.
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"I'm extremely proud of both Momoka and Carla," said head coach Diego Benitez. "They are co-captains of the team and these awards reflect the leadership that they carry within the team. Those two are always the first to practice and last to leave the courts."
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Pons finished with a team-high 21-4 combined fall and spring record, beating her career-high of 19 matches won in 2019. She won an impressive 84 percent of her matches, the 4th best mark in program history. In spring matches, Pons lost just two matches compared to her 16 wins. She had an unblemished 5-0 record against Sun Belt competition. Her 16 singles victories led the entire league.
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"Carla was an anchor for us, winning many key matches," said Benitez. "She's an extremely hard worker and deserves both awards. I'm excited to have her back next season."
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Horiguchi, a 2019 All-Sunt Belt Second Team selection in doubles with Pons, held down the top position for the Mavericks throughout the entire season. The junior went 9-4 in dual matches and won ten total matches dating back to tournament competition. Against Sun Belt competition Horiguchi went 3-1.
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"Momoka played the No. 1 position against the opponents best player day in and day out," Benitez explained. "She had a great record and deserves her first team selection."
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The Mavericks finished the season last weekend with a trip to the Sun Belt Conference semifinals after finished with an 18-4 overall record and 8-0 conference record. The 18 wins are the most since 2011, while the 8 Sun Belt wins are the most since joining the league.
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FOLLOW ALONG
For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, be sure to follow the women's tennis program on Twitter (@UTAMavsWTEN), Instagram (@UTAMavsWTEN) and Facebook ( /UTAMavsWTEN).
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"I'm extremely proud of both Momoka and Carla," said head coach Diego Benitez. "They are co-captains of the team and these awards reflect the leadership that they carry within the team. Those two are always the first to practice and last to leave the courts."
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Pons finished with a team-high 21-4 combined fall and spring record, beating her career-high of 19 matches won in 2019. She won an impressive 84 percent of her matches, the 4th best mark in program history. In spring matches, Pons lost just two matches compared to her 16 wins. She had an unblemished 5-0 record against Sun Belt competition. Her 16 singles victories led the entire league.
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"Carla was an anchor for us, winning many key matches," said Benitez. "She's an extremely hard worker and deserves both awards. I'm excited to have her back next season."
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Horiguchi, a 2019 All-Sunt Belt Second Team selection in doubles with Pons, held down the top position for the Mavericks throughout the entire season. The junior went 9-4 in dual matches and won ten total matches dating back to tournament competition. Against Sun Belt competition Horiguchi went 3-1.
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"Momoka played the No. 1 position against the opponents best player day in and day out," Benitez explained. "She had a great record and deserves her first team selection."
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The Mavericks finished the season last weekend with a trip to the Sun Belt Conference semifinals after finished with an 18-4 overall record and 8-0 conference record. The 18 wins are the most since 2011, while the 8 Sun Belt wins are the most since joining the league.
Â
FOLLOW ALONG
For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, be sure to follow the women's tennis program on Twitter (@UTAMavsWTEN), Instagram (@UTAMavsWTEN) and Facebook ( /UTAMavsWTEN).
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Players Mentioned
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