MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State Alena Jecminkova was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Central Region Senior Player of the Year, the ITA office announced Tuesday.

Jecminkova, a senior from Olomouc, Czech Republic, is the first Wildcat to receive the honor in the program's 27 seasons. ITA All-Americans Karina Kuregian and Yana Dorodnova are the only other 'Cats to be recognized by the ITA. In addition to be named an all-American, Kuregian was also honored as the ITA Central Region Rookie of the Year in 1994.

Jecminkova's honor comes on the heels of her third appearance in the 64-player NCAA Singles Championship next week in Stanford, Calif. The 2002 Big 12 Player of the Year is the only Wildcat in the program's history to qualify for more than one NCAA Singles Championship and just the third player in history to qualify. Pairings for next week's tournament will be available on Sunday at www.gostanford.fansonly.com.