Samantha Ritz
  • Exercise Science & Human Perf/Pre-Professional
  • Class of 2017
  • Rowlett, TX

Samantha Ritz Earns NCCAA Honors

2018 May 17

McMurry University tennis player Samantha Ritz of Rowlett, TX has honored by the National Christian College Athlietic Association.

MOBILE, Ala. - The McMurry University tennis programs - under head coach Mark Hathorn - had a total of seven players garner post-season recognition from the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). The post-season honors were announced in conjunction with the NCCAA's national championships tournament at the Mobile Tennis Center, where the War Hawks women's squad was a member of the eight-team field.

For the War Hawks' men's team, sophomore Carlos Martinez was tabbed as a first team NCCAA All-American. Martinez had a banner season, amassing a 15-4 overall record, all at first singles. He also rolled up a composite 11-9 mark in doubles, also at line one.

Senior Clayton Pope was also named as an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete. Scholar-Athlete honors go to juniors and seniors who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or better.

Junior Samantha Ritz was a first team NCCAA All-American for McMurry's women. Ritz was 12-8 in singles, all at the line one position. She also earned eight doubles wins with three different partners during 2018.

Recognized as second team NCCAA All-Americans were junior Zayra Gomez and freshman Claire Huffine. Gomez was 12-7 on the year, primarily at the number three and four singles positions. She led the team in doubles, sporting a combined 13-8 record.

Gomez picked up 11 of those doubles wins with Huffine, who broke into the War Hawks' starting lineup in her first year, playing the second and third singles line. In singles, Huffine led McM in wins with a 13-6 mark.

Additionally, three members of the women's squad were also tabbed as NCCAA Scholar-Athletes. The trio included senior Symphony Munoz, junior Brianna Perez and Ritz.