Job, Linares Selected to All-Big 12 Teams
May 11, 2021 | Tennis
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Sophomore Karine-Marion Job and junior Maria Linares were rewarded for their solid seasons in dual-match play in 2021, as the pair were selected to the women's tennis All-Big 12 Second Team, as announced by the conference today (May 11).
Job picked up Big 12 honors for both singles and doubles play, while Linares earned recognition for her contributions with Job in doubles' competition at the No. 1 spot.
After earning Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors last week, Job grabbed her first accolade on the All-Big 12 Second Team for singles' competition. Competing in all 19 matches from the No. 1 spot, she posted seven victories including three victories against ITA-ranked foes.
Two of those ranked wins came against some of the Big 12's best in the latter part of the Big 12 season, as the Lyon, France, native defeated Baylor's Mel Krywoj and Oklahoma's Carmen Corley, who were both selected to the All-Big 12 First Team in singles play.
"I'm happy for KJ (Karine-Marion Job) that she is receiving two conference honors this year," said head coach Jordan Smith. "Obviously, everyone on this staff and this team knows how much upside her tennis game has. The hardest thing for KJ has been remaining consistent with her belief in play. This season showed how much she has grown on the tennis court. The best part is that she's still getting better and excited to watch her continue this progress next season."
Linares, a product of Maracay, Venezuela, was paired with Job at the No. 1 position throughout the spring campaign. The pairing recorded four wins in the spring, including two-ranked wins against ITA opponents. The duo aided their cause on the all-conference team with an impressive victory against Iowa State's Thasaporn Naklo and Miska Kadleckova, who were ranked as the No. 73 pairing in the nation back on March 26.
On January 13, the duo received the No. 46 ranking in the ITA National Doubles poll due to their play in the fall, where both Wildcats posted an 11-2 mark together.
"KJ and Maria (Linares) were on fire this past fall, which allowed them to get nationally ranked," said Smith. "Obviously, that set the tone for them to be one of the best teams in the conference throughout the spring. It's their ability to be relaxed and free with each other on and off the court that has helped them start so well."
Job was one of 16 selections on the First and Second Teams for singles play, while both her and Linares were among eight tandems who placed on the All-Big 12 Doubles teams.
Oklahoma State junior Bunyawi Thaschaiwat was named the Big 12 Player of the Year, while Texas Tech junior Kaitlin Staines and Texas' Peyton Stearns were selected as the Newcomer and Freshman of the Year, respectively. Iowa State's Boomer Saia was the league's Coach of the Year.
This is Job's third-career Big 12 award, following her Academic All-Big 12 selection on May 6 and Big 12 Player of the Week nod on February 19, 2019.
Linares, a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, had previously been named to the 2018 All-Big 12 Second Team for singles as well as the 2018 Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
K-State concluded its spring season at the Big 12 Tennis Championship in Waco, Texas, where the Wildcats fell to Kansas in the first round on April 22. The Wildcats finished the spring slate with a 7-12 overall record and a 2-7 mark in conference play.
For the latest on K-State tennis follow @kstatesports and @KStateTEN on Twitter or Kansas State Tennis on Facebook.
Job picked up Big 12 honors for both singles and doubles play, while Linares earned recognition for her contributions with Job in doubles' competition at the No. 1 spot.
After earning Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors last week, Job grabbed her first accolade on the All-Big 12 Second Team for singles' competition. Competing in all 19 matches from the No. 1 spot, she posted seven victories including three victories against ITA-ranked foes.
Two of those ranked wins came against some of the Big 12's best in the latter part of the Big 12 season, as the Lyon, France, native defeated Baylor's Mel Krywoj and Oklahoma's Carmen Corley, who were both selected to the All-Big 12 First Team in singles play.
"I'm happy for KJ (Karine-Marion Job) that she is receiving two conference honors this year," said head coach Jordan Smith. "Obviously, everyone on this staff and this team knows how much upside her tennis game has. The hardest thing for KJ has been remaining consistent with her belief in play. This season showed how much she has grown on the tennis court. The best part is that she's still getting better and excited to watch her continue this progress next season."
Linares, a product of Maracay, Venezuela, was paired with Job at the No. 1 position throughout the spring campaign. The pairing recorded four wins in the spring, including two-ranked wins against ITA opponents. The duo aided their cause on the all-conference team with an impressive victory against Iowa State's Thasaporn Naklo and Miska Kadleckova, who were ranked as the No. 73 pairing in the nation back on March 26.
On January 13, the duo received the No. 46 ranking in the ITA National Doubles poll due to their play in the fall, where both Wildcats posted an 11-2 mark together.
"KJ and Maria (Linares) were on fire this past fall, which allowed them to get nationally ranked," said Smith. "Obviously, that set the tone for them to be one of the best teams in the conference throughout the spring. It's their ability to be relaxed and free with each other on and off the court that has helped them start so well."
Job was one of 16 selections on the First and Second Teams for singles play, while both her and Linares were among eight tandems who placed on the All-Big 12 Doubles teams.
Oklahoma State junior Bunyawi Thaschaiwat was named the Big 12 Player of the Year, while Texas Tech junior Kaitlin Staines and Texas' Peyton Stearns were selected as the Newcomer and Freshman of the Year, respectively. Iowa State's Boomer Saia was the league's Coach of the Year.
This is Job's third-career Big 12 award, following her Academic All-Big 12 selection on May 6 and Big 12 Player of the Week nod on February 19, 2019.
Linares, a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, had previously been named to the 2018 All-Big 12 Second Team for singles as well as the 2018 Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
K-State concluded its spring season at the Big 12 Tennis Championship in Waco, Texas, where the Wildcats fell to Kansas in the first round on April 22. The Wildcats finished the spring slate with a 7-12 overall record and a 2-7 mark in conference play.
For the latest on K-State tennis follow @kstatesports and @KStateTEN on Twitter or Kansas State Tennis on Facebook.
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