May 11, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina freshman Gira Schofield was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Southeast Region Rookie of the Year on Thursday.

The Boca Raton, Fla, native is currently ranked No. 48 in the country and in addition to making the All-SEC Second Team in April, she was named the Southeastern Conference’s Co-Freshman of the Year. Schofield went 25-10 overall in singles and was 14-7 in dual matches playing exclusively at the No. 1 position.

“She’s won about every honor possible for a freshman,” USC head coach Arlo Elkins said. “Gira’s a good player and this is a well deserved.”

Last week, Schofield became the 13th Gamecock to earn a spot in the NCAA Singles Championship and just the second to do so as a freshman. The tournament begins May 23 at the Taube Tennis Center in Stanford, Calif.