April 14, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina senior women’s tennis player Gira Schofield earned SEC Player of the Week honors, the league office announced Tuesday.

Schofield posted an undefeated record at No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles play last week for the Gamecocks in helping them earn wins over Auburn and Alabama. Versus Auburn, Schofield topped then-No. 6 Fani Chifchieva in three sets for the highest ranked win of her career. She then defeated then-No. 105 Tiffany Welcher from Alabama 6-0, 6-1.

A native of Boca Raton, Fla., Schofield improved to 19-11 on the year in singles and 5-5 in the SEC. After being ranked No. 59 in the nation the past two weeks, she jumped to No. 41 in today’s release of the ITA rankings. Schofield achieved a career-high No. 19 earlier this spring.

Schofield and doubles partner Miljana Jocic posted a pair of 8-4 wins for the Gamecocks. Both of their wins clinched the doubles points against Auburn and Alabama. Schofield and Jocic are now 4-1 in league play at the second position.

Schofield’s four victories moved her into a tie for sixth place on the school’s all-time list for combined victories with 158. She also ascended into sole possession of fifth for doubles wins with 75.