Arizona State senior Jacqueline Cako was named All-Pac-12 Second Team for the 2013 season, her third consecutive honor as a student-athlete at ASU. This award is the second Pac-12 Honor for Cako in the recent weeks -- the senior Sun Devil was also named the Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the Year.
"It definitely feels great, a little bitter sweet because it's the end of my time here at ASU, but I've finished in three years in what most people will never get the chance to do," Jacqueline Cako said. "I've been playing really well and I'm excited to carry the momentum into Illinois."
Cako finished the regular season with a win over Lacey Smyth of the University of Arizona, and won her first two matches over Courtney Dolehide of UCLA and Stacey Tan of Stanford in the Pac-12 Individual Championships. This topped off a 16-4 regular season performance in which she played consistently at the No. 1 court for ASU both in singles and doubles play.
"I've worked hard and I know that the team will remember that -- I've made a lot of great friends here and I know they are supportive of me. (Head Coach) Sheila (McInerney) has been extremely supportive of me in my three years here and I know that when I come back to train and practice over the summer they will always have my back," Cako said.
The third-year senior was awarded All-Pac-12 Second Team in 2011 and 2012, as both a freshman and sophomore.
"I'm very excited -- it's huge to be able to make it three years in a row. It's a great feeling to have this to go along with my Pac-12 Scholar Athlete award. It's always exciting to be awarded for your performance," Cako said.
Cako will compete in the NCAA Individual Championships in both singles and doubles, with her senior partner Nicole Smith. After that, Cako will train in Tempe, Ariz. over the summer working towards a pro career.
"I know I'm going to miss this place, I had a good college career. I'm proud of it and I'm happy to walk away leaving a good mark on the program," Cako said.
