The 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year – the University of Evansville’s own – Diana Tkachenko – finished the 2017 season in the final ITA Regional Tennis Rankings.

Tkachenko completed her inaugural collegiate season ranked 20^th in singles in the Ohio Valley Region.

“This past season had so many positives; it has really been such a positive affirmation that others have taken notice,” Purple Aces head coach Jayson Wiseman said.  “For Chieko to have made the MVC All Select team and Diana to be named Freshman of the Year were great accomplishments for the program.”

“To have Diana recognized as one of the top 20 players in our region is really something for her and our team to build on,” Wiseman added.  “Looking at the players ranked ahead of her, she has beaten several of them in the past and a number of those players were seniors this year. After talking with Diana once the rankings came out, she is very motivated to improve on that ranking and really help push our whole team forward. She and I are both excited to get back to work this fall!”

During the 2016-17 season, Tkachenko went 31-8 overall and 6-1 in MVC action.  She began the year with an impressive showing in the fall, highlighted by a 2^nd place finish at second-flight singles in the MVC Individual Tournament, which was hosted by UE at Wesselman Park.

The Evansville Otters and Washington Wild Things will finish the suspended game from June 18 in Washington, Pa. on Saturday, July 22, at Bosse Field.

The contest will resume at 5:35 p.m. and the regularly-scheduled game between the Wild Things and Otters will take place approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion. Evansville isn’t scheduled to play again in Washington, Pa. during the regular season.

Fans with tickets to Boy Scout Night on July 22 are encouraged to come for the conclusion of the suspended game. The game will resume in the top of the third inning with Evansville leading 2-0 off Dane Phillips’ two-run home run. Phillips’ homer isn’t official until the game is completed.

Max Duval started the game and had thrown two no-hit innings while striking out four before weather forced the suspension.

The Evansville Otters conclude the first half of the regular season at Bosse Field Friday and Saturday against the Joliet Slammers. First pitch for the series opener on Friday is 6:35 p.m.

This weekend’s promotional themes feature Father-Daughter Night, postgame fireworks, a Heritage Federal Credit Union hat giveaway, A League of Their Own celebration with players wearing special jerseys based on the movie and Girl Scout Night. More information on the promotions can be found online at evansvilleotters.com.

The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions. Group packages and single game tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit evansvilleotters.com or call 812-435-8686.