Press Release

April 29, 2009

Lipira Named MIAA Athlete of the Week

Jordan Lipira

MARYVILLE, Mo.-Northwest Missouri State senior tennis player Jordan Lipira (St. Joseph, Mo.) has been named the MIAA Women's Tennis Player of the Week for the period ended April 26. Lipira went 9-1 last week in leading the Bearcats to their 11th MIAA Championship.

Lipira was 5-0 in singles play and 4-1 with teammate Veronica Castilla in doubles. She moved into fourth place on Northwest's all-time wins list (153) and improved to 23-5 in singles and 16-5 in doubles play this season.

Lipira won all five singles matches last week in straight sets. She beat Washburn's Whitley Zitsch, 6-1, 6-2, in the championship match, avenging an earlier loss to Zitsch in a 5-4 Washburn win during the regular season. Lipira's win Sunday was the key in reversing the team result against the Lady Blues, which secured the Bearcats' 15th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.

Lipira and Castilla improved to 12-0 on the year before losing to Washburn's top doubles tandem, 8-4, in the championship match. Lipira and Castilla are 31-6 when teamed together during their careers.

Northwest beat Lincoln Monday and Graceland Wednesday before competing in the MIAA tournament Saturday and Sunday. The Bearcats beat Fort Hays State 5-0 in the first round, Truman 5-0 in the semifinals and Washburn 5-3 in the championship match.

Northwest will learn its first-round NCAA-tournament opponent Wednesday when the brackets are released.