Hope College's Nancy Benda has been chosen the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Central Region Rookie of the Year.

The freshman from Birmingham, Michigan (Seaholm HS), has a combined total of 39 wins between singles and doubles play this season.

Benda owns a 23-6 record at No. 1 doubles with partner Carli Capestany of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville). They will play at the NCAA Division III Individual Championships next week in Claremont, Calif.

Benda is 16-10 in singles play, including eight wins at No. 1 singles. She will compete at No. 1 singles at individual nationals as well.

Benda received All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association First Team honors earlier this season.

Benda helped Hope make its ninth NCAA Tournament appearance overall and third in a row this season.

The MIAA Tournament champion Flying Dutch reached the regional semifinals of NCAA postseason play and finished with a 17-6 record.