ITA Regional Awards
 
TEMPE, Ariz. – Slippery Rock University women's tennis standout Amaia Balaguer Brau has been named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) Atlantic Region Player to Watch, the governing body of collegiate tennis announced Wednesday.
 
Balaguer Brau is one of seven athletes in NCAA Division II to be recognized as a region's "Player to Watch".
 
The ITA Player to Watch Award goes to an athlete who has an outstanding season and is expected to perform at a high level the rest of their career. This award's criteria also include a player's sportsmanship and character.
 
After joining the Slippery Rock women's tennis program prior to the start of the 2023-24 season as a sophomore transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas, Balaguer Brau quickly established herself as one of the top athletes in the entire Atlantic Region.
 
A three-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division Athlete of the Week, Balaguer Brau competed out of The Rock's top singles and doubles flights for the duration of the season.
 
In singles competition, Balaguer Brau compiled a 19-9 overall record which included a 15-6 mark in dual matches and a 5-1 showing inside the PSAC West. She ended the season on a nine-match winning streak.
 
Balaguer Brau spent the majority of the year occupying a spot in the ITA's national singles rankings. In the latest rankings released by the ITA on May 1, Balaguer Brau was slotted as the No. 74 athlete in Division II.
 
During the individual portion of the season, Balaguer Brau advanced to the semifinals at the ITA Atlantic Region Championships.
 
In doubles matches, Balaguer Brau registered an overall record of 15-10 while playing the majority of the season with partner Nicole Kempton.
 
Balaguer Brau helped to lead Slippery Rock to a 15-8 team record in 2024. SRU advanced to the finals of the PSAC Tournament for a third consecutive year before earning an NCAA Tournament bid where The Rock won their first-round contest before losing in the Round of 32.





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