Coulson chosen as top ITA Player to Watch in the state

Kelly Coulson, the No. 1 player on a talented SBCC women's tennis team, has been selected as the California Community College winner of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Player to Watch award.

   2020 ITA Regional Awards for Junior College Women

The freshman from San Marcos High went 10-3 in singles on an SBCC squad that won its last 12 matches and finished its abbreviated 2020 season with a 12-1 record and 23 straight WSC victories.

The season was shut down on March 12 by the COVID-19 pandemic. All spring sports athletes who had their seasons cut short will get another year of eligibilty.

Coulson was the Region 1 winner of the ITA award that goes to a freshman who will most likely improve and is coming back as a sophomore. She combined with former San Marcos teammate Maura Mannix to post a perfect 12-0 record in No. 1 doubles.

"Kelly competes with a mental calmness and maturity," said coach Christina Klein, who's compiled a 43-10 record in three seasons. "She is confident with her weapons and knows what she needs to do to win. As she competes she has fun, always with a smile on her face, ready for the challenge.

"Kelly is a very optimistic teammate to have and is always encouraging on court. No matter what drill we are doing, she also does that with a smile on her face and knows how to keep up the intensity to push herself to improve."

Klein said this year's team was the best one in her three years.

"Ending our season early was, of course, tough," she noted. "I definitely had the best team I've ever had at SBCC. I do have a lot of returners and am talking to a couple good local players. I am confident that we will continue to be just as strong next year."

Ten of the Vaqueros' 12 wins were by scores of 9-0 or 8-1. They posted six 9-0 shutouts, including three of their last four matches. They were 8-0 in conference and closing in on a second straight WSC title. They were ranked No. 4 in the state.

SBCC had the best individual match record in the state: 103-13 for an .888 win percentage.

"This is a great award for Kelly and I am very happy she received this very well-deserved recognition," said athletic director Rocco Constantino. "Our tennis student-athletes and the team in general have received a tremendous amount of positive recognition the past couple of seasons and I am very pleased people are taking notice of their accomplishments on a statewide and national level.

"Congratulations to Kelly and to Coach Klein on this accomplishment and the fantastic things they have done on the courts, in the classroom and in the community the past two seasons."