Spencer goes after second straight OVC Player of the Year honor

4/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

Melissa Spencer began her four-year tennis career as the Racers' top seed, and has played all but three of her 138 singles matches at No. 1. This weekend, the senior from Roswell, Ga., will defend her status as Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year at the OVC Championship Tournament, held April 16-18 at the Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville, Tenn.

Spencer, who is 20-13 in singles play this season (9-0 in OVC play), was surprised to play at No. 1 singles as a freshman, but head coach Connie Keasling encouraged her to shoulder that responsibility.

"Coming in, I did not expect (to be the No. 1 singles player)," Spencer said. "It was a huge surprise. Coach had all the confidence in the world in me, though. I had the freshman jitters -- I was very nervous -- but I grew to accept it as any other match."

As a freshman, Spencer earned All-OVC accolades, going 24-16 in singles and 23-13 in doubles with partner Kerry-Lea Glass.