Kajuru And Kezuka Earn All-Big 12 Honors

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State tennis players Ange Oby Kajuru and Chie Kezuka were recognized by the Big 12 Conference coaches Thursday for their performances this season.

The two Cyclones are the first players in school history to earn Big 12 individual champion designation.

Kezuka and Kajuru were named No. 3 Doubles Individual Champions after going 7-1 in conference action this spring. For the dual season, the Cyclone duo posted a 17-2 record.

Kezuka, a sophomore from Fujisawa, Japan, went 8-1 in conference action and was named No. 5 Singles Individual Champion. Kezuka is 18-1 this spring as the Cyclones head into the postseason.

Kajuru, a Tokyo, Japan, native, also earned Second Team All-Big 12 Singles honors and all-freshman team accolades. She is the fifth All-Big 12 selection in school history and the third to be named to the all-freshman team.

Kajuru teamed up with Kezuka to earn Second Team All-Big 12 Doubles honors. They are the first Cyclone duo to earn all-conference accolades.

As a team, Iowa State is 16-6 overall, its most wins in a season since the 1986-87 campaign. The Cyclones are ranked No. 32 in the latest ITA rankings.

The NCAA Selection Show will be held Monday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. on NCAAsports.com.

Big 12 Awards
Player of the Year: Peyton Stearns, Texas
Freshman of the Year: Mhai Sawangkaew, Oklahoma State
Newcomer of the Year: Layne Sleeth, Oklahoma
Coach of the Year: Audra Cohen, Oklahoma

All-Big 12 First Team Singles
Maria Titova, Kansas
Anchisa Chanta, Oklahoma
Layne Sleeth, Oklahoma
Lisa Marie Rioux, Oklahoma State
Mhai Sawangkaew, Oklahoma State
Peyton Stearns, Texas
Sabina Zeynalova, Texas
Margarita Skriabina, Texas Tech

All-Big 12 First Team Doubles
Alicia Herrero Linana/Melany Krywoj, Baylor
Carmen Corley/Ivana Corley, Oklahoma
Lisa Marie Rioux/Ayumi Miyamoto, Oklahoma State
Peyton Stearns/Allura Zamarippa, Texas

All-Big 12 Second Team Singles
Alicia Herrero Linana, Baylor
Melany Krywoj, Baylor
Alina Shcherbinina, Baylor
Ange Oby Kajuru, Iowa State
Malkia Ngounoue, Kansas
Maria Linares, K-State
Charlotte Chavatipon, Texas
Kylie Collins, Texas

All-Big 12 Second Team Doubles
Ange Oby Kajuru/Chie Kezuka, Iowa State
Mhai Sawankaew/Martina Zerulo, Oklahoma State
Kylie Collins/Charlotte Chavatipon, Texas
Avelina Sayfetdinova/Kailey Evans, Texas Tech

All-Freshman Team
Alina Shcherbinia, Baylor
Ange Oby Kajuru, Iowa State
Maria Titova, Kansas
Anchisa Chanta, Oklahoma
Mhai Sawangkaew, Oklahoma State
Sabina Zeynalova, Texas

Individual Season Champions By Position
No. 1 Singles: Peyton Stearns, Texas (8-0)
No. 2 Singles: Mhai Sawangkaew, Oklahoma State (6-1)
No. 3 Singles: Sabina Zeynalova, Texas (7-0)
No. 4 Singles: Alina Shcherbinina, Baylor (6-3)
No. 5 Singles: Chie Kezuka, Iowa State (8-1)
No. 6 Singles: Emma Staker, Oklahoma (7-1)

No. 1 Doubles: Carmen & Ivana Corley, Oklahoma (6-2)
No. 2 Doubles: Alexandra Pisavera & Layne Sleeth, Oklahoma (5-2)
No. 3 Doubles: Ange Oby Kajuru & Chie Kezuka, Iowa State (7-1)