Southwestern University Pirates All-American senior Mary Cardone finished the season ranked as the No. 33 women's tennis singles player in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll.

Cardone finished the season with a 4-1 record playing exclusively in the No. 1 spot, including a three-set victory (6-4, 3-6, 6-0) over Caltech's Anna Tifrea in the Pirates' 7-2 upset win over the then No. 21-ranked team in Division III.

She also finished ranked No. 8 in the West Region.

"Mary is the first player in program history to finish all four seasons in the Final National Rankings for singles and I couldn't be happier for her," Head Coach Billy Porter said.

First-year Nina Mitrofanova finished ranked as the No. 16 singles player in the West Region. Mitrofanova earned All-American status this season with her victory in the ITA Fall Regional Championships. She went 3-1 in season play.

In doubles, junior Esther Bowers and Mitrofanova were ranked No. 11 in the West Region, compiling a 5-2 record in their first season together, playing from the No. 1 spot. Cardone and first-year Emma Kesterson finished No. 15 in the West Region with a 6-1 record.

"Getting Nina [Mitrofanova] and Emma into the Spring Regional Rankings as first-years after both ended the Fall in the Regional Rankings is a testament to their consistency and work in the offseason paying off," Porter said. "Esther is now in the Doubles Regional Rankings for the third consecutive year and all with different partners. She continues to be a force in our doubles lineup."

Southwestern finished the season with a 7-1 record, splitting its pair of matches against nationally-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Caltech. The Pirates finished the season cracking the top 20 in the ITA national polls for the first time in program history, finishing at No. 20.

For more SU Pirate photos, please see Carlos Barron Photography