May 21, 2008-Emporia State tennis players Natalie Villaflor and Julian Rios swept the North Central Region Senior Player of the Year Awards as presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) recently.

Villaflor was a unanimous first-team All-MIAA selection at #2 singles as well as #1 doubles with senior partner Marcela Bayon. She finished with a mark of 16-2 in singles action this season and was 17-2 with Bayon at #1 doubles. Villaflor had a string of 14 straight victories at #2 singles snapped in the MIAA Tournament when she retired due to injury against Missouri Western.

Rios finished 14-2 in singles this past season, going 9-1 at the #1 position and 3-1 in MIAA action. He was 8-8 in doubles using four different partners during the 2008 campaign.

Emporia State freshman Amanda Morris also picked up the women's Rookie Player of the Year award. The MIAA Freshman of the Year was 14-3 at #3 singles this season for the Lady Hornets, and teamed with senior Audrey Sherman to go 14-3 overall with a 13-3 mark at #3 doubles.

Both ESU tennis teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.