TEMPE, Ariz. -- Christopher Newport University rookie Johanna Ranta-aho was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Atlantic-South Region Rookie of the Year on Thursday, becoming just the second player in program history to collect the honor. After a record-breaking freshman campaign, Ranta-aho adds to her mantel which also includes the Capital Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year designation announced after the conference championship. 

The ITA announced it's regional award winners for all four regions for both men's and women's tennis on Thursday and national award winners will be unveiled next week. Christopher Newport earned it's first Regional Rookie of the Year honor two years ago when Ranta-aho's teammate, McKinney Harwood, became the first player in program history, men or women, to garner the accolade.

Ranta-aho put together one of the finest overall seasons in program history for any level, and arguably the Captains' best freshman campaign all-time. The international transplant earned first team All-Conference honors in both singles and doubles en route to her Conference Rookie of the Year laurels. She became the fifth Captain to earn league rookie of the year honors and the second to achieve the honor in the CAC. 

She finished the year with a 21-6 overall record in singles play, ranking tied for third most for a single season in program history. Playing primarily in the No. 2 slot, Ranta-aho was 16-3 in dual play with a perfect 6-0 record against No. 1 competition. She also led the team in doubles victories, grabbing 17 wins in tandem play with a 17-9 overall mark. She was 15-5 in duals, including a 4-1 record on the top line. 

The Captains' rookie impressed from the very beginning of the season, as Ranta-aho put together the most impressive run in CNU history through the ITA Southeast Regional Championships. She became the first player in program history to reach the semifinals in the championship draw of the event, leading to the highest national ranking for an individual in CNU lore, listed at No. 36 in the ITA poll. 

In the final regular season rankings of the year, Ranta-aho was pegged as the 13th-ranked singles player in the Atlantic South and the second highest ranked player, regardless of class, in the Capital Athletic Conference. 

The Captains put together a 14-win season, tying the record for wins since joining the CAC in 2013-14. CNU wrapped up the year with a 14-7 overall mark, playing into the CAC Championship for the third straight season.

ATLANTIC-SOUTH REGION AWARD WINNERS
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Andrew Girard, Carnegie Mellon University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Alex Howard, Tufts University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award: Brooke Donnelly, Washington and Lee University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Johanna Ranta-aho, Christopher Newport University
ITA Player to Watch: Clementina Davila, Sewanee: University of the South
ITA Most Improved Senior: Katarina Su, Emory University
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Brooke Donnelly, Washington and Lee University
ITA Community Service Award: Wesleyan University

- - - - - Press Release Courtesy of Christopher Newport Athletic Communications - - - - - -