The University of Akron Athletics
Zara Harutyunyan Named No. 9 Female Athlete In School History
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AKRON, Ohio – Zara Harutyunyan, University of Akron
tennis player from 2009-12, has been honored as the No. 9 UA Female
Athlete of all-time, Akron's Title IX committee announced
Tuesday.
"In my opinion, Zara has been the most influential women's tennis
player to come out of our program," said head coach Brandon
Padgett, who mentored her as a junior and sophomore. "Shattering
all Akron and MAC records is impressive, but her ability to
intimidate opponents was perhaps even more impressive. It was truly
an honor to have coached her."
Harutyunyan, who recently finished her undergraduate degree after
completing her eligibility in May 2012, closed her collegiate
career as the program and Mid-American Conference's all-time leader
in wins with 242 (126 singles, 116 doubles). Her total singles and
doubles victories are also career-bests by a Zips tennis
player.
A three-time MAC Player of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011), she helped
the program to its first-ever MAC tournament championship in 2011
and a repeat title in 2012. The first freshman to win the league's
POTY award and the only student-athlete in program history to do
so, she was also a four-time First Team All-MAC selection and was
named to the MAC All-Tournament Team in 2011 (MVP) and 2012.
Along with career records, Harutyunyan set various program
single-season marks. Her 37 singles victories as a freshman in
2008-09 set the program's single-season record as did her 34
doubles wins as a senior in 2011-12 (bettering the record of 33 she
won in 2008-09). As a sophomore, she was the first player in
program history and only the fourth player in 30 years of MAC
tennis to qualify individually for the NCAA Singles Championship.
Also during her sophomore season she was the first player in school
history to finish the season in the Intercollegiate Tennis
Association's national rankings (No. 111).
Harutyunyan is currently working on her masters degree and is a
graduate assistant in the University's sports science/coaching
program.
