All-American selections recognize accomplishments of both teams

Published: Monday, June 30, 1997

Monday, 6/30/97 All-American selections recognize accomplishments of both teams TENNIS: No. 9 Taino graduates to pros, Kim honored in singles and doubles, Kocsis ranks 12th

By Mark Shapiro Daily Bruin Staff The UCLA men's tennis team left its final mark on the 1996-97 season with the announcement of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Americans and the release of the final team and individual rankings. Eric Taino, who turned pro at season's end, was one of three Bruins to garner All-American honors. Taino, who finished the season ranked ninth in the nation, earned All-American recognition in singles for the second consecutive year. Kevin Kim was named All-American in both singles and doubles after his performance his freshman year, making him the lone Bruin to collect honors in both categories. He finished the season ranked 35th in singles and third in doubles with partner Eric Lin. Lin was named an All-American for the first time in his career. Lin and Kim spent most of the season ranked in the top five in doubles. The Bruins finished the season with a 25-4 ranking and the No. 3 ranking in the country, behind national champion Stanford University and the University of Georgia, who defeated UCLA in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. Senior Alex Decret was ranked 48th in the year-end rankings, while Matt Breen was ranked 57th. The doubles team of Taino and Decret was ranked 27th. * * * The UCLA women's tennis team, which finished the season ranked fifth in the nation, had four of its members collect All-American honors at season's end. Junior Kati Kocsis earned recognition in singles as she wrapped up the season ranked 12th in the nation. Freshman Annica Cooper received like honors as she finished the season ranked 33rd. The freshman team of Katia Roubanova and Elizabeth Schmidt tallied honors in doubles and were ranked 16th at the end of the year. Both players were also ranked in singles. Schmidt garnered the 38th spot, while Roubanova was ranked 69th. Senior Kelly Rudolph was ranked 76th in singles, while the doubles team of Cooper and Kocsis was ranked 28th. UCLA Sports Info Eric Taino UCLA Sports Info Katie Kocsis Previous Daily Bruin Story Triumphs and tragedies, June 10, 1996