2023 ITA Regional Awards

TEMPE, Ariz. – Recognized for their efforts both on and off the court, Academy of Art women's tennis freshman Jessica Plazas was named West Region Rookie of the Year and the Urban Knights collectively received West Region Community Service Award Honorable Mention as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on Tuesday.

Plazas, at one point ranked the No. 36 singles player in the nation and No. 7 in the region, was honored as ITA West Region Rookie of the Year following All-PacWest Second Team (Singles) and Third Team (Doubles) selections. After a season where she went 7-4 including a 5-3 mark from the No. 1 position, Plazas amassed a 2-1 record against regionally-ranked competition and won six of her seven matches in straight sets. Among those victories included a 6-2, 6-4 victory on the first court over Arianna Audelo (No. 11 in the region) during ART U's match against No. 20 Point Loma. Perhaps her most impressive win came late in the season against the region's No. 10 ranked player Makenna Livingston of Colorado Mesa, which was the Acting major's lone three-set victory of the year with a 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-8) decision. With her doubles partner sophomore Erica Hellbe, Plazas finished 7-3 exclusively from the No. 1 position. The pair won each of their first three matches of the season while also triumphing in three of their last four.

 "Congratulations to Jessica for being nominated Rookie of Year," said Head Coach Clarisse Baca. "Many coaches saw the type of player that she is on and off the court and I am happy that she received the recognition."

In addition to Plazas' individual honor, the Urban Knights were one of two teams bestowed with ITA West Region Community Service Award Honorable Mention. The squad delivered 152 hours to the surrounding San Francisco community with each individual contributing an average of over 20 hours apiece.

"The 2022-23 year had many goals - one of which was to increase our community efforts and we double our time commitment," Baca said. "I'm proud of the team for showing up and making time within their busy schedule to give back."

This is the first ITA honor in Plazas' career and the second consecutive year that Academy of Art has been awarded West Region Rookie of the Year with Paulina Alvarez earning the distinction in 2022. It is the first community service selection for ART U to date.