ROME, Ga. – After completing an undefeated week, earning two victories in both singles and doubles action, Salem's Alanna Bridges was named USA South Rookie of the Week in an announcement from the league office on Monday, March 20th.

Bridges, a junior on head coach Ed Steele's roster, became the first player in Salem program history to earn a weekly honor from the USA South. She is the first Spirit to be recognized for their on-the-court performance by a conference since 2015, when Andrea Akers was named Great South Player of the Week for her play during the week of February 24-March 2, 2015. Bridges joins three other players— Ayala Pruitt, Andrea Akers (2x) and Ashley Koehler—to earn a weekly player of the week honor in Salem tennis history.

Bridges claimed the award after completing a perfect week, triumphing in two singles and two doubles matches against both Agnes Scott and Johnson & Wales. She began the week by pairing with teammate Harley Hedrick to defeat the Agnes Scott tandem of Cyrus Lichtenstein and Katherine Cox by an 8-5 margin when they collided in No. 3 doubles. When Bridges and Cox met in No. 4 singles, Bridges continued her dominance with a 6-1, 6-2 victory.

Four days later, when Salem made the short trek to Charlotte, N.C., to face Johnson & Wales, Bridges again delivered two points for the Spirits. The Morganton, N.C., native joined doubles teammate Haley Gilley and the No. 2 pairing posted an 8-4 victory against Kourtney Newton and Kendall Conrad. Bridges followed that up by becoming the only Spirit to earn a singles point, defeating Newton in the clash of No. 4 seeds.

"She has been a consistent performer and continuing to improve every week," said Steele. "Her hard work on the court is starting to show up in her play."