Feb. 24, 2009

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern senior Georgia Rose has been named the Big Ten Women's Tennis Player of the Week following her clutch performances at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles in NU's 5-2 win against No. 4 Georgia Tech on Sunday. Rose helped knock off the nation's fifth-ranked doubles pairing before taking down the reigning NCAA singles champion in three sets.

Rose becomes the second consecutive Wildcat to garner the conference award following sophomore Maria Mosolova's recognition a week ago.

Facing a top-15-ranked opponent for the fourth time in as many dual matches, Northwestern (8-0) made an early statement in doubles, as has become its habit. Rose and teammate Lauren Lui, ranked 31st nationally, handled Georgia Tech's Amanda McDowell and Irina Falconi by an 8-2 margin, winning their 10th match as a team this season.

NU has secured the doubles point in all eight dual matches in 2009.

The 25th-ranked Rose then moved into singles where she faced the 2008 NCAA singles champion and ITA National Player of the Year Amanda McDowell. After gutting out a 7-6 affair in the first set, Rose dropped the second before cruising to a 6-1 win in the deciding set against the 10th-ranked McDowell.

Rose has won five of her last six matches against ranked opponents and is 7-1 in dual competitions this year. Her career record stands at 115-35.

Top-ranked Northwestern is back on the courts this weekend to take on No. 6 Duke at 3 p.m. Saturday and No. 13 North Carolina at noon on Sunday. Both matches will take place at the Combe Tennis Center on the campus of Northwestern.