WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Silvia Ambrosio broke two Purdue records, assembled a 10-game winning streak and maintained a national ranking for 34 weeks. The senior women's tennis player was ranked in the top 40 for 14 of those weeks, including breaking the highest-ever Purdue ranking twice. She defeated three ranked opponents in singles and led an unfinished match over Michigan's No. 3 Kate Fahey 3-6, 6-2, 2-0. She was the first individual to go to the NCAA Championships in 20 years.
Ambrosio embodied the true spirit of a Boilermaker with hard work and dedication. She improved from a 13-8 singles record in her junior season to a 14-7 record that included a 10-game winning streak during conference play her senior year. While the win-loss records do not seem vastly different, the two seasons' accolades tell a different story.
As a senior, Ambrosio was named Big Ten Player of the Week, maintained a national ranking in both singles and doubles for over 30 weeks, unanimously won All-Big Ten honors, earned a ticket to the NCAA Singles Championships and secured the Ohio Valley Most Improved Senior Award, placing her in line to win the award nationally.
When the Nov. 14, 2018, rankings came out, so began a remarkable season. Jumping 53 spots from No. 72 to No. 19, Ambrosio earned the top spot in Purdue history. The previous highest ranking came from Hala Sufi in 2006 at No. 29.
While ranked No. 19, the Boilermaker went undefeated and opened the season with two ranked victories over Ole Miss's No. 68 Sabrin Machalova and No. 43 Gabriela Knutson of Syracuse.
In the next ITA National ranking, Ambrosio moved up yet again, shattering her own record by jumping 10 spots to No. 9.
At the time, Ambrosio talked about the pressure of being ranked so high nationally. She said it changed the dynamics - people were coming after her now. The pressure of the top 10 in the country could be seen in her February matches, where she had her only losses of the regular season.
After rallying from a six-game losing streak, Ambrosio went on to be 9-1 in regular-season conference play, where she earned her longest winning streak of her career. The streak was snapped at the Big Ten Tournament by No. 3 Fahey of Michigan.
However, Ambrosio's season was not finished as she earned the honor of representing Purdue on the national stage. The last Boilermaker to earn a ticket to the NCAA Championships was Jennifer Embry in 1999.
In the first round of the tournament, Ambrosio matched up with No. 46 Cameron Morra of North Carolina. Taking the first set in a 6-0 sweep, Ambrosio ultimately fell 6-0, 2-6, 0-6.
Ambrosio finished her two-year Boilermaker career with 27 singles wins and 30 doubles victories. She broke records and led her team by example. She overcame adversity and pushed herself to new limits.
Ambrosio's name will remain in the record book, but she will be remembered for so much more.
Ambrosio embodied the true spirit of a Boilermaker with hard work and dedication. She improved from a 13-8 singles record in her junior season to a 14-7 record that included a 10-game winning streak during conference play her senior year. While the win-loss records do not seem vastly different, the two seasons' accolades tell a different story.
As a senior, Ambrosio was named Big Ten Player of the Week, maintained a national ranking in both singles and doubles for over 30 weeks, unanimously won All-Big Ten honors, earned a ticket to the NCAA Singles Championships and secured the Ohio Valley Most Improved Senior Award, placing her in line to win the award nationally.
When the Nov. 14, 2018, rankings came out, so began a remarkable season. Jumping 53 spots from No. 72 to No. 19, Ambrosio earned the top spot in Purdue history. The previous highest ranking came from Hala Sufi in 2006 at No. 29.
While ranked No. 19, the Boilermaker went undefeated and opened the season with two ranked victories over Ole Miss's No. 68 Sabrin Machalova and No. 43 Gabriela Knutson of Syracuse.
In the next ITA National ranking, Ambrosio moved up yet again, shattering her own record by jumping 10 spots to No. 9.
At the time, Ambrosio talked about the pressure of being ranked so high nationally. She said it changed the dynamics - people were coming after her now. The pressure of the top 10 in the country could be seen in her February matches, where she had her only losses of the regular season.
After rallying from a six-game losing streak, Ambrosio went on to be 9-1 in regular-season conference play, where she earned her longest winning streak of her career. The streak was snapped at the Big Ten Tournament by No. 3 Fahey of Michigan.
However, Ambrosio's season was not finished as she earned the honor of representing Purdue on the national stage. The last Boilermaker to earn a ticket to the NCAA Championships was Jennifer Embry in 1999.
In the first round of the tournament, Ambrosio matched up with No. 46 Cameron Morra of North Carolina. Taking the first set in a 6-0 sweep, Ambrosio ultimately fell 6-0, 2-6, 0-6.
Ambrosio finished her two-year Boilermaker career with 27 singles wins and 30 doubles victories. She broke records and led her team by example. She overcame adversity and pushed herself to new limits.
Ambrosio's name will remain in the record book, but she will be remembered for so much more.