Florez Selected as GCU's 2008 NJAIAW Woman of the Year
TENNIS TEAM ALSO TO BE HONORED FOR NJ'S HIGHEST FALL GPA
1/31/08
Senior Autumn Florez, a two-sport, student-athlete in both softball and tennis, has been selected as Georgian Court University’s 2008 NJAIAW Woman of the Year.
Autumn will be honored on February 3rd at Seton Hall University’s National Girls & Women in Sports celebration for the inception of her Lion’s P.A.W. program, which came to fruition at the NCAA Leadership Conference last May. “The Lion’s P.A.W. stands for Participate And Win. It is a program to encourage GCU students and faculty to come out and support their Lions,” says Florez. “For every game they attend, they will receive one stamp at halftime and another at the end of the game. The more stamps accumulated the more chances they will have to win prizes. I hope this program grows and we see an increase of students and faculty at GCU sporting events.".
As for her selection for this award, the Manchester, NJ native stated, "Being chosen as Woman of the Year is a great honor for me. Georgian Court has allowed me many opportunities to grow as an individual both on as off the playing fields. I am grateful to hold this honor as a Georgian Court woman."
Also receiving accolades at Seton Hall's celebration will be the GCU tennis team, of which Autumn is a member. For the second consecutive year, Lions' tennis achieved the highest team grade point average (3.50) of ALL fall teams at New Jersey's colleges and universities. Florez (3.85 GPA), senior Melissa Gaffney (3.81), and Corrine Stinemire (3.85) represented the team and the university on the CACC's All-Academic Team.
Lions Fall 8-1 to West Chester University
10/ 10/ 2007
Lakewood, NJ- In non-conference competition, Georgian Court Tennis suffered a defeat Wednesday by West Chester University with a final score of 8-1. The Lions
fell to 7-9 overall and 4-3 in the CACC.
Georgian Court’s victory on the day came from Autumn Florez (Manchester,
NJ/Manchester) who defeated her opponent Maria Kestaris (3-6, 6-4, 10-6).
Corrine Stinemere (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College) pushed her opponent
into a super tie breaker coming up just short losing 10-8.
The Lions continue to move forward as they enter the CACC Team
Championships this weekend to be played at Philadelphia University.
*******
Georgian Court Women’s Tennis Stun Goldey-Beacom
10/7/2007
Wilmington, DE- In an amazing showing Georgian Court Women’s Tennis stunned Goldey-Beacom winning the match 8-1. The Lions rebounded well after two tough losses, exhibiting their amazing will power.
Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College) and Melissa Gafney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey) defeated the Lighting’s Stephanie Bain and Dana Roy at the #2 and #3 positions. Freshman Natalie Grieci (Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Borough) and Katarina Dockum (Island Heights, NJ/Rutgers) also defeated their Goldey Beacom opponents at #4 and #5 singles. The Lions' lone loss came at the hands of Lusiana Souto as she defeated Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester).
The Lions swept the doubles competition as Gaffney and Grieci defeated the Lighting’s Dana Roy and Arielle Alford at the #2 position. The Lions will be traveling to Philadephia University this weekend to play in the CACC Team Championships.
*******
GCU Tennis Comes Up Short against St. Thomas Aquinas
10/5/2007
Orangeburg, NY – The Georgian Court University Tennis team fell just shy of defeating St. Thomas Aquinas College in a spirited effort. The Lions are now 6-8 overall.
Georgian Court’s Autmun Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) and Corrine Stinemere (Manchester, Ocean County College) continued their excellent play defeating St. Thomas Aquinas’s Caroline Gizzi and Allison Reeg in singles matches. Also winning for GCU in singles competition was Katarina Dockum (Island Heights, NJ/Rutgers) who defeated Alyssa Butterfield (6-2, 6-3).
Although the stellar team of Florez and Stinemere defeated Reeg and Caroline Gizzi 8-4 in doubles competition, it was not enough to capture the victory. St. Thomas Aquinas College would capture the next two doubles sets to win the match 5-4.
Georgian Court University is still hopeful on the remainder of the season and looks to improve their record this Sunday at Goldey Beacom College. Goldey-Beacom is 4-5 overall and 2-4 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action.
~Courtesy of Marshawn Denny
*******
Georgian Court Tennis Falls to USP 7-2 in Conference Action
10/2/2007
Lakewood, NJ – The Georgian Court University Tennis team fell to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opponent University of the Sciences of Philadelphia 7-2 Tuesday afternoon. The Lions fall to 6-7 overall and 3-3 in the CACC.
GCU’s two victories on the day came from Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) who defeated the Devil’s Sarah Leonhard (6-3, 6-4) at #2 singles and Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College) who defeated Zahra Hasan (6-1, 7-5) at #3 singles.
The Lions look to avenge their loss on Thursday afternoon at St. Thomas Aquinas College. The Spartans are 2-7 overall. STAC’s two victories came against East Coast Conference opponent Molloy College and Chestnut Hill College, a member of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
~ Courtesy of Marshawn Denny
*******
 Tennis’s Stinemire Receives Nod from CACC
10/2/2007
New Haven, CT – Georgian Court University Tennis senior, Corrine Stinemire (Ocean County College) received a nod from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference for her performance in the Lions’ 3-1 record last week.
Georgian Court and the Manchester, New Jersey native began the week against Cheyney University defeating the Wolves 9-0 Monday afternoon. Stinemire teamed with fellow senior, Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) to defeat Cheyney’s Imani Johnson and Rhea Miles 8-1 at #1 doubles then proceeded to defeat the Wolves’ Saquatia Knight 8-0 at #3 singles.
Despite falling to Queens College at #3 singles and #1 doubles, Stinemire bounced back to defeat Caldwell College’s doubles team of Emilie Skidmore and Suzanne Dragovcic with Florez at #1 doubles. Stinemire then scored for the Lions at #2 singles by beating the Cougar’s Patty Messick.
Stinemire rounded out her efforts for Georgian Court by defeating Millersville University’s Andrea Konas to help push the Lions past the Marauders 6-3.
The Lions host the University of the Sciences Tuesday afternoon for just their second match on GCU’s brand new courts. This is the first time in quite some years that the Lions are playing on their own campus. Georgian Court defeated the Devils 8-0 last season.
*******
The Lions Defeat Millersville to Improve to 6-6 Overall
9/30/2007
Lakewood, NJ – The Georgian Court University Tennis team hosted Millersville University on their brand new courts on the Lakewood campus Sunday afternoon. The Lions defeated Millersville 6-3 to improve to 6-6 overall.
Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) and Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College) defeated the Marauders’ Jenny Habecker and Andrea Konas at the #2 and #3 positions. Freshman Natalie Grieci (Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Borough) and Katarina Dockum (Island Heights, NJ/Rutgers) also defeated their Millersville opponents at #5 and #6 singles.
The Lions were also victorious at doubles with Nikki Schlegel (Toms River, NJ/Ocean County College) and Melissa Gaffney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey) defeating the Marauders’ Lindsay Knappenberger and Debbie Schaefer at the #2 position. Dockum and Grieci teamed together to defeated Millersville’s Habecker and Jenny Ward at #3 doubles.
Georgian Court hosts the University of the Sciences on Tuesday afternoon. The Devils are currently 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Amanda Bedway leads USP at #1 singles with a record of 6-1 overall.
*******
Tennis’s Stinemire Receives Nod from CACC
10/2/2007
New Haven, CT – Georgian Court University Tennis senior, Corrine Stinemire (Ocean County College) received a nod from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference for her performance in the Lions’ 3-1 record last week.
Georgian Court and the Manchester, New Jersey native began the week against Cheyney University defeating the Wolves 9-0 Monday afternoon. Stinemire teamed with fellow senior, Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) to defeat Cheyney’s Imani Johnson and Rhea Miles 8-1 at #1 doubles then proceeded to defeat the Wolves’ Saquatia Knight 8-0 at #3 singles.
Despite falling to Queens College at #3 singles and #1 doubles, Stinemire bounced back to defeat Caldwell College’s doubles team of Emilie Skidmore and Suzanne Dragovcic with Florez at #1 doubles. Stinemire then scored for the Lions at #2 singles by beating the Cougar’s Patty Messick.
Stinemire rounded out her efforts for Georgian Court by defeating Millersville University’s Andrea Konas to help push the Lions past the Marauders 6-3.
The Lions host the University of the Sciences Tuesday afternoon for just their second match on GCU’s brand new courts. This is the first time in quite some years that the Lions are playing on their own campus. Georgian Court defeated the Devils 8-0 last season.
*******
Tennis Improves to 5-6 Overall with 2-1 Week
9/28/2007
Lakewood, NJ – The Georgian Court University Tennis team finished this week with wins over Cheyney University and Caldwell College to improve to 5-6 overall. The Lions fell to Queens College Wednesday afternoon, but remained 2-1 for the week.
Leading the Lions was the doubles team of Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) and Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College) finishing 2-1 in their matches this week. Florez/Stinemire defeated Cheyney University’s #1 doubles team in GCU’s 9-0 defeat of the Wolves Monday afternoon. Florez and Stinemire bounced back after a loss to Queens College’s doubles team of Alyssa Morra and Jessie Franklin to defeat Caldwell College partners Emilie Skidmore and Suzanne Dragovcic Thursday Afternoon.
Also contributing wins this week for Georgian Court were Melissa Gaffney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey Twp.) and Nikki Schlegel (Toms River, NJ/Ocean Count College). Gaffney defeat Cheyney University at #4 singles Monday afternoon and Caldwell College at #3 singles Thursday afternoon. Schlegel won at #2 singles against Cheyney before teaming with Gaffney to defeat Caldwell at #2 doubles.
The Lions received wins at #5 and #6 singles and #3 singles against Cheyney University as well as wins at#4, #5, #6 singles and #3 doubles versus Caldwell College.
Georgian Court hosts Millersville University Sunday afternoon at 12pm on the Lions’ brand new state-of-the-art home courts. This will be the first time in quite some years that the Lions will hold home-court advantage. Millersville is currently 1-2 in their non-championship season. They defeated Shippensburg University on September 18th for their first win of 2007.
*******
GCU Tennis Sweeps the Wolves of Cheyney University
9/25/2007
Toms River, NJ – Georgian Court University's Tennis team swept Cheyney University 9-0 Tuesday afternoon at the Toms River Country Club in Toms River, New Jersey. This was the first meeting of the two teams as Cheyney is a new NCAA Division II program. Georgian Court improves their record to 4-5 overall while the Wolves fall to 0-4 overall.
Georgian Court at all three doubles positions with wins by the teams of Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester)/Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College), Melissa Gaffney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey)/Natalie Grieci (Pt. Pleasant, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Borough), and Daisy Prendergast (New Egypt, NJ/New Egpyt)/Sandrine Holloway (St. Catherine, Jamaica).
Having gotten a late start to the match, singles were played as pro-sets with the Lions snagging wins at all six positions. Leading Georgian Court at #1 singles was Florez who defeated Cheyney's Rhea Miles, 8-1. Nikki Schlegel (Toms River, NJ/Ocean County College) won at #2 singles while teammate Stinemire won at #3 singles. The Lions also received wins from Gaffney (#4), Grieci (#5), and Katarina Dockum (Island Heights, NJ/Rugers) (#6).
Georgian Court travels to Queens College for a non-conference match on Wednesday, September 26th. The Purple Knights are currently 4-0 overall.
*******
Tennis Falls to Holy Family University 7-0 Thursday Afternoon
9/21/2007
Lakewood, NJ – The Georgian Court University Tennis team fell to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opponent, Holy Family University 7-0 Thursday afternoon at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, New Jersey. Georgian Court falls to 3-5 overall and 1-2 in the CACC.
Georgian Court travels to Bloomsburg University Saturday for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s annually regional tournament.
*******
Florez and Stinemire Help Georgian Court Tennis
Defeat Chestnut Hill College
9/18/2007
Philadelphia, PA – Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) and Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College) helped lead Georgian Court University’s Tennis team past Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opponent Chestnut Hill College 6-3 Tuesday afternoon. Florez and Stinemire won the #1 and #2 singles and teamed up to defeat the Griffins at #1 doubles. With this win, Georgian Court improves to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in conference action.
Also scoring for the Lions were Melissa Gaffney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey) at #1 singles while her and teammate Katarina Dockum (Island Heights, NJ/Rugers) defeated Chestnut Hill at #2 doubles. Freshman Natalie Grieci (Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Borough) also scored for Georgian Court at #5 singles.
Georgian Court faces Holy Family University Thursday afternoon in CACC action. The Tigers are 5-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Lions fell to Holy Family in both meetings last season.
*******
Tennis Falls to 1-1 in Conference Play with Loss to Philadelphia University
9/15/2007
Toms River, NJ – Georgian Court University Tennis fell to 1-1 in conference play with a 9-0 loss to Philadelphia University (5-2, 2-1) Saturday, September 15th at the Toms River Country Club in Toms River, New Jersey. The Lions are now 2-4 overall while the Rams improve to 5-2 overall.
This week, Georgian Court faces CACC-newcomer Chestnut Hill College Tuesday afternoon and Holy Family University Thursday afternoon. The Lions then travel to Bloomsburg University for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s regional tournament.
*******
GCU Tennis Improves to 2-2 with
CACC Victory over Post University
9/8/2007
Waterbury, CT – Georgian Court University’s Tennis team improved their record to 2-2 overall with a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference win over Post University (0-1). The Lions defeated the Eagles 9-0 in Waterbury, Connecticut Saturday afternoon.
Leading the Lions’ was senior Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) who defeated Post University’s Caitlin McKeon-Nichols 6-0, 6-0 at #1 singles and the team of Jenna and Jamie Salversen at #1 doubles with teammate Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College). Stinemire also defeated her opponent, Vanessa Lagares, 6-1, 6-0 at #2 singles.
The team of Melissa Gaffney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey) and Katarina Dockum (Island Heights, NJ/Rutgers) defeated the Eagles’ McKeon-Nichols and Jenna Angeloni 8-0 at #2 doubles. Gaffney and Dockum also picked up victories for the Lions at #3 and #4 singles.
Freshmen Daisy Prendergast (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) and Natalie Grieci (Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Borough) added the Lions 7th, 8th, and 9th points for the Lions with victories at #3 doubles and #5 and #6 singles.
Georgian Court hosts Dowling College (2-2) Monday afternoon at the Toms River Country Club. The Lions suffered a loss to Dowling earlier this season.
*******
GCU Tennis Falls to 1-2 with Loss to Stockton
9/7/2007
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court University’s Tennis team fell to the Osprey of Stockton College 7-2 Thursday, September 6th at Ocean County Park. The Lions fall to 1-2 overall while Stockton improves to 3-0.
Georgian Court’s lone victory came at #2 doubles with Melissa Gaffney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey) and Katarina Dockum (Island Heights, NJ/Rutgers) defeated the Osprey’s Kelli Williams and Shannon Thom. Williams retired after leading Gaffney 6-5 at #3 singles giving the Lions their other point.
The Lions begin their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference schedule Saturday afternoon against Post University. This will be the first match for the Eagles.
*******
Tennis Falls to Dowling 9-0 in Non-Conference Action Tuesday Afternoon
9/5/2007
Stony Brook, NY – Georgian Court University’s Tennis team fell to Dowling College 9-0 in non-conference action Tuesday, September 4th. The Lions fall to 1-1 overall while Dowling improved to 2-1 overall.
Senior Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) battled hard at #1 singles taking Dowling’s Cristina Hoffman to two tie-breaking sets before falling 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5). At #1 and #2 doubles, Florez along with teammate Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) and the team of Melissa Gaffney (Forked, River, NJ/Lacey)/Natalie Grieci (Point Pleasant, NJ/Point Pleasant Borough) fought hard but fell to the Golden Lions 8-5, 8-6 respectively.
Georgian Court faces the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Thursday, September 6th at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, New Jersey. This will be the first meeting for the teams.
*******
Tennis’ Schlegel Earns CACC Rookie of the Week Honor
9/4/2007
New Haven, CT – Georgian Court University Tennis newcomer, Nikki Schlegel (Toms River, NJ) earned Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Rookie of the Week honors for the week ending September 1, 2007. The Ocean County College transfer helped the Lions defeat Adelphi University 6-3 Thursday, August 30th in the non-conference match.
At #1 Singles, Schlegel defeated the Panthers’ Amanda Aniboli 6-3, 6-1. Schlegel and teammate, Melissa Gaffney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey) were the lone winners in doubles pairings for Georgian Court defeating the Panthers' Katie Flynn and Katie Henn 8-6 at the #2 position.
Georgian Court travels to Stony Brook University to face Dowling College in their first of two meetings this season.
*******
GCU Defeats Adelphi 6-3 in Season Opener
8/31/2007
Lakewood, NJ - Georgian Court University’s Tennis squad defeated Adelphi University 6-3 in their season opener Thursday afternoon at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, New Jersey. While the Panthers defeated Georgian Court 2-1 in doubles action, the Lions came back strong defeating Adelphi 5-1 in singles play.
Although Georgian Court was defeated at #1 and #3 doubles, junior-transfer, Nikki Schlegel (Toms River, NJ/Ocean County College) and junior Melissa Gaffney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey) defeated the Panthers' Katie Flynn and Katie Henn 8-6 at #2 doubles.
Leading singles action at the #1 position was Schlegel who defeated Adelphi's Amanda Aniboli 6-3 and 6-1. The Lions defeated the Panthers at the #2 through #5 positions with senior Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester), senior Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College), Gaffney, and freshman Natalie Grieci (Point Pleasant Beach, NJ/Point Pleasant Borough) defeating the Panthers, respectively. Despite winning the first game, junior-transfer, Katarina Dockum (Island Heights, NJ/Rutgers) fell to Adelphi's Kristina Radeva 2-1.
Georgian Court travels to Dowling College Tuesday afternoon for a non-conference match set to begin at 3:30 p.m. This will be the first of two meetings for the schools. Dowling defeated St. Joseph's College 9-0 on Tuesday afternoon and was set to face Chestnut Hill College Thursday afternoon.
*******
Cross-Country and Tennis Begin the 2007 Season
with Sights Set on Conference Titles
8/17/2007
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court University’s Cross-Country and Tennis teams returned to campus Monday, August 13th to begin their pre-season workouts. The Lions teams are raring to go with their eyes set on Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference titles.
After winning their fifth conference championship in seven years, the Lions Cross-Country Team welcomes back five veteran racers. Junior Kim Galvin from North Bergen led the Lions in every race last season. Captains Eileen Jemison of Toms River and Adrianna Correa of Jackson were top seven finishers last year and will provide effective leadership this season. Sophomores Caitlin Cranwell of Howell, Emilia Lopez of North Bergen, and Ogechukwu Okeke of Nigeria will also be in the pack.
This year’s freshmen class will compliment the cross-country returnees nicely. Heather Miara of Sayreville, Krystal Belcher of Palmyra, and Jennifer Musumeci of Toms River contributed to the success of their high school programs. Also joining Georgian Court are Ammy Gutierez of Fairview and Tara Jemison of Toms River. Rounding out the newcomers are red-shirts Iyanah Gilford of Perth Amboy and Christie Gallant of Avon by the Sea. The Lions are looking forward to a solid season under Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Women’s Cross-Country Coach of the Year, Kerwin Lanz.
Also welcoming a new season is Georgian Court’s tennis team which finished third in the conference tournament last season behind first-year Head Coach Adrienne Ballengall.
Despite graduating the Lions #1 singles and #1 doubles player, Dunja Dunda, the Lions return four players while welcoming five newcomers. Leading Georgian Court this season will be seniors Autumn Florez and Corrine Stinemire both of Manchester. Junior Melissa Gaffney of Forked River returns with red-shirt Roxanne Gieda of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.
Georgian Court welcomes freshmen Brittany Aimone of Toms River, Natalie Grieci of Point Pleasant Beach, and Daisy Prendergast of New Egypt to the Lions line-up. Transfers Nicolete Schlegel from Ocean County College and Katarina Dockum from Rutgers University’s Cook College will round out the squad. Georgian Court is shooting for their first-ever conference title with Coach Ballingall at the helm.
*******
Tennis’s Dunja Dunda Receives Prestigious Scholarship
7/13/2007
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court University 2007 Tennis graduate, Dunja Dunda has been selected to receive the NCAA’s prestigious Post-Graduate Scholarship. A native of Croatia, Dunja is one of only 29 other Division I, II, and III young women to receive this honor.
Dunda boasts and extensive list of accomplishments in her three short years while attending Georgian Court. Dunda was selected to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference’s Fall All-Academic Team three years in a row. She has also been named to the President’s List and the Dean’s List throughout her tenure at GCU. Dunja was also the recipient of the International Student Scholarship and the Global Leadership Award from Georgian Court.
Claire Gallagher, Associate Professor and Faculty Athletics Representative, said of Dunja’s accomplishments, “She is a leader both on and off the court; she has balanced her service, academic, and athletic ‘lives’ and has been successful in all three.”
Dunda’s success outside of athletics sometimes overshadowed her amazing court awareness and talent in the tennis world. Dunda received Georgian Court University’s Tennis Team’s Most Valuable Player Award the past three years. She has been the Lions #1 singles player as well as a member of their #1 doubles team. Head Coach Adrienne E. Ballingall said of Dunja, “from a tennis and athletic perspective Dunja is a very skilled competitive athlete playing in the #1 position in both singles and doubles. On several occasions Dunja came from behind to win matches; never would she lose heart.”
With her diploma in hand, Dunda has her eyes set on a Master of Science Degree in Social Work. She hopes to continue her education at Columbia University where she can pursue studies in International Social Welfare and Service to Immigrants and Refugees. Dunja also aspires to begin a non-profit organization which will continue to run her Croatian-American Leadership Initiative program on a yearly basis.
“This is a great honor for a Georgian Court University athlete. Dunja has developed into a well-rounded, successful young woman. Her work on campus has afforded other young women the opportunity to follow in her footsteps as she is leading a group of students to Croatia this month to exchange leadership views with other students. Dunja is a remarkable young woman and GCU knows she will be successful in whatever she aspires to do,” said Director of Athletics & Recreation, Laura Liesman, of Dunja’s selection by the NCAA Committee.
*******
Georgian Court’s Tennis Team Receives
Accolades for High Team GPA
1/20/2007
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court’s Tennis team has won the NJAIAW Team Academic Award for achieving the highest grade point average of any women’s tennis program in New Jersey this past fall. The New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Women (NJAIAW) accepts nominations for the award from all of its members which include all NCAA Division I, II, and III schools in New Jersey.
Each team must have a minimum 3.0 composite grade point average. The teams must also participate in an NCAA sponsored sport and must have met the minimum requirements for sport sponsorship. The Lions achieved a composite grade point average of 3.589. "Academics are very important to all of our GCU women, and this honor is a testament to the hard work and dedication our tennis players put into their academics in addition to their athletics. We continue to be extremely proud of their academic accomplishments," said Director of Athletics & Recreation Laura Liesman.
Georgian Court’s team will be honored at a luncheon held during National Girls and Women in Sports Day at Seton Hall University. The luncheon is hosted by the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Women (NJAIAW). Georgian Court will also host a National Girls & Women in Sports Day celebration on Monday, February 5th during the basketball contest versus Nyack College beginning at 7pm.
*******
GCU Doubles Team Takes 2nd at the Conference Tournament
10/22/2006
The doubles team of Dunja Dunda (Zagreb, Croatia/Green Mountain College) and Alexa Wilkinson (Corpus Christi, TX/Mary Carroll) took 2nd place in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Individual Championships Saturday afternoon. The pair, seated #2 behind Lauren Neill and Rupali Parekh of Holy Family University, received a 1st round bye in the tournament before defeating Holy Family’s Quena Borres and Shakir Willett 9-7.
Dunda and Wilkinson then went on to defeat 8-0 Amanda Brennan and Katie Stracquatanio of Philadelphia University in the 3rd round before meeting #1 seated Holy Family. The pair fell to the Tigers’ Neill and Parekh 8-4, however, in the championship match.
The Lions’ Dunda and Wilkinson also played in the singles bracket tournament championships yesterday afternoon. Dunda, seated #3 fell in the 1st round of play to Holy Family University’s Parekh and Wilkinson, unseated, fell to another Tiger, Lauren Neill as well in the 1st round. Both Neill and Parekh have advanced to the tournament semi-finals.
Dunda completed her collegiate tennis career as a member of the 2006 All-CACC Tennis team along with freshman teammate Wilkinson. Also named to the All-CACC team were Philadelphia University’s Maddie Smith, Caldwell College’s Oksana Manoukian, and Holy Family’s Lauren Neill and Rupali Parekh.
Georgian Court University finished their 2006 season with a record of 5-5 overall and 4-2 in the CACC under first-year head coach Adrienne Ballingall.
*******
Soccer and Tennis Matches Cancelled for Monday Afternoon
10/6/2006
Lakewood, NJ - The Georgian Court University Soccer game scheduled against Mercy College for Monday afternoon has been cancelled. Additionally, the GCU Tennis match scheduled for Monday afternoon against Adelphi University has been cancelled.
Soccer returns to play on Thursday afternoon traveling to New York Institute of Technology for a non-conference game at 3:00 p.m. Tennis returns to the courts for the CACC Team Championships scheduled for Saturday, October 14th.
*******
Lions Snap Devils Win Streak
10/6/2006
Philadelphia, PA – The Lions of Georgian Court University handed the Devils of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia an 8-0 loss in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference women's tennis matchup in Philadelphia yesterday afternoon.
The loss snaps the Devils two game win streak and drops USP's record to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play. Georgian Court evens their record at 5-5 overall and moves to 4-2 in conference matches.
The Devils all three doubles matches to start off the afternoon, including two hard fought contests that went to tiebreakers. Dunja Dunda (Zagreb, Croatia/Green Mountain College) and Alexa Wilkinson (Corpus Christi, TX/Mary Carroll) defeated the Devils’ Amanda Bedway and Sarah Leonard at #1 doubles 9-8 (7-5) while Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) and Melissa Gaffney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey Twp.) picked up a GCU victory at #2 doubles by defeating Christina Sebastiani and Tara Torrone 9-8 (7-2). The Lions’ Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College) and Kimberly Helk (Willingboro, NJ/Holy Cross) rounded out doubles play by defeating the Sciences’ Danielle Perfetti and Anna Garber 8-4 to complete the sweep of the doubles matches by GCU.
Five of the six singles matches were played before darkness set in. Dunda picked up a GCU victory at #1 singles by defeating Bedway 6-4, 7-5, while Stinemire defeated Sebastiani 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 at #3 singles. At #2 singles, GCU's Wilkinson defeated Leonard 6-1, 6-2. Gaffney defeated Torrone, 8-1 at #4 singles and Florez completed Georgian Court’s shutout of Philadelphia Sciences by defeating Gabrielle Exler 6-3, 6-4
Stay posted on all Lions’ news on our website, as well as our hotline at (732) 987-2626.
~Courtesy of Bob Heller, University of the Sciences
*******
GCU Tennis Drops to 4-5 After Losing 4 Straight
10/4/2006
Pennsylvania – Georgian Court Tennis (4-5, 3-2 CACC) traveled to western Pennsylvania this past weekend for a three-match marathon against Clarion University (5-2), California University of Pennsylvania (10-0), and Slippery Rock University (5-1).
 With the ever-present rain cloud that seems to be following the Lions, Georgian Court was able to complete their match against Clarion Friday afternoon after rolling and drying the outside courts. GCU’s first singles player, Dunja Dunda (Zagreb, Croatia/Green Mountain College), was able to secure an impressive win over Clarion’s Corin Rombach.
The Lions then traveled to their Saturday morning match against California University of Pennsylvania. With rain in the forecast once again, Georgian Court was forced indoors to play the Vulcans for only about an hour with modified scoring. Cals strong team prevailed, however, taking all seven matches.
Traveling to their last match of the marathon at Slippery Rock University, the Lions were once again forced indoors due to rain. Play a modified match again, Georgian Court was able to score an impressive doubles win with the Lions’ Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College) and Autumn Florez (Manchester, NJ/Manchester) over the Rock’s Jessica Hilborn and Lara Rizzi.
Philadelphia University handed Georgian Court their 4th straight defeat Tuesday afternoon in a conference match beating the Lions 6-3. GCU recorded a victory at #1 doubles with the team of Dunda and Alexa Wilkinson (Corpus Christi, TX/Mary Carroll) who defeated the Rams’ Rebekah Elliott and Lori Pick 9-7.
Wilkinson added a win for the Lions at #2 singles by beating Katie Stracquatanio in the tie-breaking set 10-4. Florez was able to breeze by Philadelphia University’s Lori Pick 7-5, 6-0 and give the Lions their 3rd and final points of the match.
The Tennis squad travels to the University of the Sciences for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference match Thursday afternoon. The Devils are 2-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play. Georgian Court is looking to pick up a conference victory with a win over USP. Stay posted on all Lions’ news on our website, as well as our hotline at (732) 987-2626.
*******
GCU Tennis Improves to 4-1 with Win Over Caldwell College
9/28/2006
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court Tennis (4-1, 3-1 CACC) defeated Caldwell College (3-4, 2-2 CACC) in conference play yesterday afternoon. The Lions improve their record to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) match-ups.
With sunny skies the Lions defeated the Caldwell Cougars 4-2 in singles play at Pine Park. Dunja Dunda was unable to hold of Caldwell’s Oksana Manovkiah and suffered her first loss of the season. Brittini Frantellizzi also picked up a second win for the Cougar’s at #4 singles by defeating Melissa Gaffney 6-1, 6-1. The Lions bounced back and their remaining four singles players defeated Caldwell in straight sets:
Alexa Wilkinson (GCU) def. Emilee Skidmore (Caldwell) 6-1, 6-1
Corrine Stinemire (GCU) def. Joellen Keaney (Caldwell) 6-3, 6-2
Roxanne Gieda (GCU) def. Patty Messick (Caldwell) 6-2, 6-3
Autumn Florez (GCU) def. Laura Siniggallo (Caldwell) 6-1, 6-1
The Lions won two of their three doubles matches securing their fourth win of the season. At #1 doubles GCU’s Dunda/Wilkinson defeated Manovkiah/Brittini Frantellizi of Caldwell 8-6. The Lions’ Stinemire/ Gaffney defeated Joellen Keaney/Jacquelynn Ross 8-1 at #2 doubles. It was Caldwell, however, that pulled out the win at #3 doubles beating Georgian Court’s Gieda/Kimberly Helk.
The Tennis squad will travel to three schools this weekend for a full weekend of competition. First, the Lions meet Clarion University (3-2) Friday, September 29 then travel to undefeated California University of Pennsylvania (7-0) and Slippery Rock University (3-1) Saturday morning. Stay posted on all Lions’ news on our website, as well as our hotline at (732) 987-2626.
*******
Tennis Match Against the University of the Sciences Rescheduled
9/27/2006
Lakewood, NJ - The Georgian Court University Tennis match against the University of the Sciences, originally scheduled for September 16th, has rescheduled for Thursday, October 5th at 3 p.m. The match will be held at the University of the Sciences.
*******
GCU Tennis Posts Two Consecutive Wins Against CACC Teams
9/19/2006
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court Tennis (3-1, 2-1 CACC) defeated Molloy College (0-3, 0-1 ECC) yesterday and Post University (0-2, 0-2 CACC) today. The Lions improve their record to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) play.
Securing their second win of the season, the Lions swept Molloy College 9-0. After fighting her way to a first set come behind win, fourth singles player Roxanne Gieda (Dillsburg, PA/Trinity) was able to win the second set and match against a tough player in Molloys’ Nicole Bernardo. Gieda’s win and straight set singles wins by all players secured the victory for the Lions.
The rain could not keep the Lions off the courts today, where they faced CACC opponent Post University. The Eagles, currently 0-1 for the 2006 season, were defeated by the Lions in straight sets.
The Tennis squad will travel to Bloomsburg University this upcoming weekend to play in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Regional Championships. Stay posted on all Lions’ news on our website, as well as our hotline at (732) 987-2626.
*******
Tennis’ Dunja Dunda Receives Honorable Mention Nod
9/18/2006
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court University’s Dunja Dunda, a member of the Tennis team, was selected Honorable Mention for Player of the Week by the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) this past week. Dunda played a stellar match on Tuesday, September 12th against CACC opponent Holy Family University.
Dunda, a senior majoring in Sociology, is the Lions’ #1 singles player. She challenged the Tigers’ #1 player, Lauren Neill, to a 3-set dual and tallied the lone win for the Lions at 7-6, 3-6, 7-5.
The Georgian Court tennis team will look to beat Molloy College today, September 18th at Molloy for a 3:30 p.m. match-up. Molloy (0-2, 0-1 ECC) will be looking to kick-off their 2006 campaign against GCU with a victory, but with the weather wreaking havoc on the Lions' 2006 season, GCU is anxious to pick up another victory.
*******
Lions Soccer and Tennis Postponed due to Weather
9/18/2006
Lakewood, NJ - The Georgian Court University soccer match scheduled for Saturday, September 16th but cancelled due to rain will be played on October 18th at 3:30 pm on the Georgian Court Campus.
The Lions' Tennis match scheduled for Saturday, September 16th was cancelled as well due to the weather. No make-up date has been announced.
*******
Tennis Falls to 1-1 in Conference Play with Loss to Holy Family University
9/13/2006
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.. – Georgian Court (1-1, 1-1 CACC) was defeated 8-1 by Holy Family (3-0, 2-0 CACC) yesterday afternoon. The Lions played one match prior to this one, which they defeated Goldey-Beacom in straight sets at all positions on Sunday.
In singles play, the Tigers won five of six matches. Holy Family’s Rupali Parekh won at number two flight with a 7-5, default win over Alexa Wilkinson (Corpus Christi, TX/Mary Carroll H.S.). Wilkinson was forced to retire in the second set, up 5-4, due to an injury.
Quena Borres of Holy Family won her match at number three singles 6-2, 6-1 over Corrine Stinemire (Manchester, NJ/Ocean County College), while Shakir Willett won at number four flight 6-1, 6-2 over GCU’s Melissa Gaffney (Forked River, NJ/Lacey). Both Borres and Willett remained 3-0 in singles play in the young season.
The Tigers’ Liana Lui won her match at number five flight 6-0, 6-0, for the second straight match, defeating Georgian Court’s Roxanne Gieda (Dillsburg, PA/Trinity).
The Lions’ Dunja Dunda (Zagreb, Croatia/Green Mountain College) took a win against Holy Family’s Lauren Neill in a marathon 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 match at number one singles.
In doubles play, Holy Family’s Neill and Parekh won at number one flight 8-3 over Dunda and Gaffney. Borres and Willett won at number two flight 9-7 over GCU’s Stinemire and Wilkinson and Lui and Pulsinelli won at number three flight 8-2 over the Lions’ Autumn Florez and Roxanne Gieda.
The Lions travel to the University of the Sciences on Saturday, September 16th. The Lions will look to rebound from this loss to notch another conference win against the 0-2 Devils.
~Courtesy of Jim Wagner, Holy Family University
(215) 637-7700 ext. 3482
*******
Tennis Defeats Goldey-Beacom in Straight Sets
9/10/2006
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court University Tennis was scheduled to travel to Chestnut Hill College to play Saturday, September 2nd, but Tropical Storm Ernesto kept the players from the courts. With anticipation building, the Lions were able to begin their 2006 season with a win under new Head Coach Adrienne Ballingall today.
Their first win came against CACC opponent, Goldey-Beacom College, a 2nd-year program. The Lions defeated the Lightning, in straight sets at every position. The Lions hope to continue bringing home victories as they face their rival, Holy Family University Tuesday, September 12th.
*******
GCU Athletes’ Travel Great Distances to Help Others
7/13/06
 Lakewood, NJ – The community of El Panon, Honduras witnessed first hand the distances some athletes of Georgian Court University will go to extend a helping hand. On a recent six day delegation to the small Honduran town, Lion tennis players Didem Cakiroglu and Dunja Dunda (pictured to the left with two other students and Sr. Mahon) helped construct the first water purification system for the poverty stricken town.
While in Honduras the delegation first visited an orphanage in San Pedro Sula that is run by the Sisters of Mercy. Casa de la Misericordia is a home to many children who have been infected with the AIDS virus. The athletes had the opportunity to interact with the children and watched as the kids played with the toys and games the delegation had brought for them. Sister Mariann Mahon who led the Mission stated “The students and children were able to communicate through the universal language of laughter.”
The delegation next went to the village of Copan, where they were welcomed with songs of praise for their work to bring electricity to a schoolhouse in the town. Members of the Georgian Court community helped to raise money that went to this construction. Sister Mariann said that “the people of San Manuel were grateful for the donations that made it possible to bring electricity to the town.”
The Mission Delegation’s final stop was El Panon, Didem and Dunja joined the others in filling in trenches where the pipes had been placed. Both washed bricks that were to be used for the water tank, and they even mixed cement that would be used in the construction. Dunja on her time in Honduras, “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to go to Honduras and experience for myself such a different world. The people I met both young and old taught me lessons about work, values, beliefs, and life. It was an experience I will take with me for the rest of my life.”
Lakewood, NJ—Georgian Court University posted 11 student-athletes to the 2nd Annual CACC All-Academic Teams for the fall 2005 semester. Representing GCU’s four fall sports, the 11 citations were the most among the 13 member institutions comprising the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference in women’s sports.
Taking the lead was the GCU tennis program. The CACC Championship runner-ups posted four of the 10 student-athletes comprising the CACC All-Academic Tennis squad. Team captain Mallory D’Amico (3.71 GPA) was one of just three seniors honored. JuniorDunja Dunda (3.65 GPA) and sophomores Autumn Florez (3.82 GPA) and Didem Cakiroglu (3.54) rounded out the team.
GCU posted three players each from cross-country and volleyball. Twin sisters Samantha (3.75 GPA) and Rosemarie Esposito (3.68 GPA) joined Adriana Correa (3.89 GPA) as cross-country honorees. In volleyball, senior captain Alicia Scott (3.71 GPA) was flanked by sophomores Heather Walker (3.68 GPA) and Diana Rubio (3.67 GPA).
The Lions earned another citation in soccer, where sophomore Megan Kielt (3.77 GPA) was honored.
In order to be named to the CACC All-Academic teams, recipients must have participated in a fall CACC Championship sport, be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, have been a student at their current school for at least two semesters, and achieve a cumulative grade-point-average of at least 3.50. The complete list of honorees, separated by sport, is below.
GCU posted eight CACC All-Academic Team members in fall sports a year ago. The 11 citations this year were the most among women’s sports mentions, with nine citations apiece going to Felician College and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. The four honorees in tennis and three in volleyball were tops in each of those sports.
Laura Liesman, Director of Athletics & Recreation at Georgian Court University, was pleased by the strong showing in the academic showcase.
“To have the most women recognized with this honor in the conference speaks volumes to GCU's commitment to educational excellence,” she said. “These women are able to balance their studies, athletic and personal commitments, and excel in each arena. We are proud of their athletic accomplishments but even prouder of this academic recognition by the conference as it shows their commitment and dedication to all aspects of their collegiate life."
11/21/05
Lakewood, NJ—The Georgian Court University tennis program capped its historical season, by visiting the Fort Dix military base in New Jersey to drop off phone cards they had collected over the season for troops stationed in Iraq. The cards will be used by soldiers in Iraq who will use them to call family and friends in the United States.
With several GCU tennis student-athletes directly affected by the war in Iraq, the team hatched the plan when learning about the difficulties associated with phone service overseas. It is believed that the phone cards will alleviate this process. The team collected the phone cards at every home match this season.
“In sports we can sometimes forget the many men and women serving in the military that sacrifice daily to make our freedom possible,” said GCU Head Tennis Coach Greg Wyzykowski. “The collection of phone cards was just a very small way we could show them we cared.”
The team dropped off the phone cards at Fort Dix, where they were met by military representatives who were appreciative of the gesture. After exchanging stories and a group photo, the officers promised the team a safe arrival of their donated items to Iraq. Currently, three of the young women on the team have loved ones stationed there.
“We were very excited about this program,” said Mallory D’Amico, senior captain of the squad. “We felt that this was a great opportunity to reach out to our community and give back to our loved ones serving in Iraq.”
The visit to Fort Dix was the culmination to what was a terrific season for the Lions. With women’s tennis a CACC sport for the first time, GCU improved on a 4-9 campaign in 2004, with a 2005 mark of 8-5, finishing with the CACC’s No. 1 seeding in the first-ever conference playoffs. GCU then beat No. 4 seed Caldwell College, 5-0, before falling to USP in the championship game.
The Lions, who will only graduate one player in D’Amico, will play several matches in the spring. The added experience should make for a significantly improved season next fall, and with it, perhaps a return to the conference championship and beyond.
11/21/05
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court University tennis junior Dunja Dunda was named among the top regional players in the northeast, earning the No. 14 ranking in the 2005 Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Fall Final Rankings. The rankings take in the fall season’s entire body of work. Dunda was one of only two student-athletes named among the top 15, that hailed from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
Dunda, who appeared in every match of the season for the Lions, including stops in the NJAIAW and ITA Tournaments, amassed an 8-4 record in team matches this season during Singles play. A two-year player for the Lions who previously transferred from Green Mountain College, Dunda has started every match for the Lions at the No. 1 position. In postseason play this season, Dunda was 2-0 in singles play, earning a win in the semifinal and championship.
As a team, GCU finished 8-5 this season as conference runner-up. The Lions defeated Caldwell College, 5-0, in the CACC semifinal, before falling to the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 6-3, in the championship leg.
NJIT’s Iulia Doci earned the northeast region’s No. 3 ranking, the highest among CACC netters. As a team, NJIT was the only CACC team to play on the regions team poll, earning the No. 7 spot. Kutztown University, of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference was named No. 1 overall.
*******
Five Lions Earn CWAA All-Academic Status
11/7/05
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court University named five athletes to the Collegiate Women’s Athletic Association’s All-Academic teams for women’s volleyball, tennis, and cross-country. They are the first all-academic honorees for their respective sports since the CWAA was adopted in 2004.
GCU’s handful of honorees were dominated by seniors. Alicia Scott, a senior outside hitter with the GCU Volleyball team was one of seven honorees for volleyball. Notching the third-highest GPA among all honorees, Scott boasted a 3.73 GPA in history/secondary education at GCU, with a minor in English. On the court, she is second on the team in kills (241), and leads the team, ranked 5th in the nation, with 117 blocked shots.
A pair of seniors also reigned supreme in cross-country. Twin-sisters Rosemarie and Samantha Esposito were honored. Samantha boasted the second highest GPA among the seven honorees, notching a 3.71 GPA in business administration. Rosemarie was fourth-highest at 3.64 in the same major. The Lions took the bronze at this year’s Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship.
Senior Mallory D’Amico, a sociology/elementary education major at GCU, boasting a 3.68 GPA, was honored to the inaugural tennis team. Teammate Dunja Dunda, a junior majoring in history, was also honored, boasting a 3.67 GPA.
The athlete’s are the first CWAA honorees in their respective sports. The CWAA, which was started in 2004, awarded academic honors only in the sport of basketball a year ago. The conference honors student-athletes representing over 40 all-women institutions throughout the United States, spanning every NCAA division.
*******
Lakewood, NJ – Georgian Court University Head Women’s Tennis Coach Greg Wyzykowski was named the 2005 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year by his peers, it was announced yesterday. Wyzykowski, who led the Lions to an 8-5 record (4-2 CACC), and a 2nd place finish in the Inaugural CACC Team Championship Tournament, is the first Coach of the Year ever honored by the CACC for tennis, which became a conference sponsored sport in 2005.
After a dismal 4-9 mark in 2004, Wyzykowski helped the young Lions, who did not graduate any seniors in ‘04, to positive results in 2005. With the CACC adopting the sport culminating in a postseason championship for the first time, GCU earned the CACC’s #1 seed prior to the finals, thanks to a 4-2 record in conference play. The Lions then defeated Caldwell College, 5-0, in the semifinals, before falling to champion University of the Sciences, 6-3, in the final.
Wyzykowski’s efforts went a lasting way in the formation of the conference sport. He became the first-ever CACC Tennis Coaches Chairperson, helping unite the collection of CACC coaches and helping adopt new conference operating procedures. In 2006, Wyzykowski will double his duties through the NCAA, where he will serve as a regional coaching representative. The Coach of the Year award was voted on by each CACC tennis coach, and tallied through the conference office.
Wyzykowski has completed his sixth season with the Lions.
*******
Lakewood, NJ – The Lions earned a pair of weekly honors by the Collegiate Women’s Athletic Association, it was announced today. Tennis star Katherine Henriques and soccer standout Erica Kaps both earned Player of the Week honors in their respective sports.
Capping their season this past weekend as part of the CACC 2005 Individual Tennis Tournament at Colts Neck, Henriques was a participant in both singles and doubles play, teaming with Dunja Dunda in doubles. Prior to competition over the weekend, Henriques swept a singles and doubles flight against St. Thomas Aquinas, in what was an 8-1 GCU victory. The award is the first for Henriques, a junior transfer from Brookdale Community College. The Lions closed their season with an 8-5 overall record.
After a 1-1 week, Kaps was honored for women’s soccer. The sophomore midfielder was instrumental in GCU’s 3-2 win over Bloomfield College last week, tallying a goal and adding an assist. During the week, she posted a healthy 13 shots on net. Kaps, who posted a lone assist during the 2004 season, has now tallied 4 goals and 2 assists, starting all 16 games for the 2-13-1 Lions.
With the fall seasons winding down, the CWAA expects to name its All-CWAA squads for each sport as well as its All-Academic teams in the weeks to come.
*******
Along with the two weekly winners, GCU’s Dunja Dunda (Tennis) and Kim Galvin (Cross-Country) were both given honorable mention nods by the CWAA.
*******
GCU Places 2nd in Inaugural CACC Championship Tourney
10/16/05 Colts Neck, NJ - It was a bittersweet weekend for the Georgian Court University netters at Colts Neck Racquet Club, as the school made history by participating in the first-ever CACC Women's Tennis Championship, but fell to the Devils of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 6-3, in Sunday's Final.
The weekend started on a positive note. No. 1 GCU drew No. 4 Caldwell College as its first opponent in the tourney, and although the Lions just did squeek by the Cougars, 5-4, earlier this season, the Lions defeated Caldwell 5-0 this time around. Because GCU had won five straight points over Caldwell, the remaining four games were not played.
Katherine Henriques and Autumn Florez, both winners in Doubles on Saturday, also won their Singles matches to clinch the victory. Dunja Dunda, Corrine Stinemire, Mallory D'Amico, and Melissa Gaffney all added doubles wins.
On Sunday, however, GCU couldn't turn the tide against USP. Earlier this season, the Lions defeated the Devils, 8-1, but this time USP countered with three new faces in their lineup for singles and two new doubles teams. Florez and Stinemire brought GCU out of doubles action trailing only 2-1, but in singles only Stinemire and Dunda mustered wins, and USP earned the win, 6-3.
Despite the bitter outcome, GCU has plenty to cheer for. Sporting a revamped lineup from 2004, the team sits at 7-4 with one more regular season match to go, a far-cry better than the 4-9 mark last year. With one graduating senior on the team, GCU stands to be amongst the top of the CACC for years to come.
CACC will hold its Individual Singles and Doubles Championships next weekend at Colts Neck. GCU will enter three singles players and two doubles teams to the mix, although those players are yet to be named.
|