The University of Mississippi Athletics
Boxx, Nijssen Cap Outstanding Year For Rebel Tennis
6/7/2010 | Women's Tennis
OXFORD, Miss. - On Monday the ITA announced its All-America teams in conjunction with the final national singles and doubles rankings.
Ole Miss placed two players on the All-America team with Kristi Boxx and Karen Nijssen becoming the eighth and ninth All-Americans in the history of the program. Boxx was one of only nine players to earn the honor in both singles and doubles, while Nijssen made the team in doubles.
To earn All-America honors in singles, players must be a top 16 seed at the NCAA Championships, reach the round of 16, or end the year ranked in the top 20. In doubles, players must be a top eight seed, advance to the NCAA quarterfinals or end the year in the top 10.
Boxx, who ended the year ranked No. 30 in the nation in singles advanced to the round of 16 at the NCAA Singles Championship. She also earned All-SEC first team honors for the second year in a row.
The Grenada, Miss., native teamed with Nijssen, who made the All-SEC second team, for a final ranking of No. 10. The pair advanced to the second round at the NCAAs.
"This is a great ending to a great year," head coach Mark Beyers said. "We are proud of them for finishing 10th and becoming All-Americans. It's a tremendous accomplishment. They lost 6-4 in the third to Georgia in the second round, just missing out on earning it that way. Kristi making All-American in singles and doubles is a big accomplishment and puts her in an elite category."
Led by Boxx and Nijssen, Ole Miss accomplished a lot in 2010. The Rebels ended the year ranked No. 17 nationally, advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999, captured the SEC West Championship and posted their best finish (2nd) in the SEC since 1999.
It marked the first time since 2000 for the Rebels (17-6) to end the year ranked among the nation's top 20.
"It's been an excellent year, with us winning the West and getting to the Sweet 16," said Beyers, the ITA Southern Region Coach of the Year. "Now we can start getting ready for next year."
Ole Miss also dominated the final ITA Southern Region rankings, claiming the top spot as a team as well as in the singles and doubles.
