Tuesday, August 7, 2007

TUSCULUM WOMEN'S TENNIS EARN ITA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM STATUS

Danae Valderrama	Bronwyn Hartley

SKILLMAN, N.J. --- The Tusculum College women's tennis squad has been named a recipient of the 2007 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division II All-Academic Team Award announced officials Tuesday. The Pioneers earn this award for a fourth consecutive season.

Danae Valderrama and Bronwyn Hartley garnered ITA Scholar Athlete distinction, which recognizes those student-athletes who earned a 3.5 GPA during the 2006-07 academic year.

Valderrama, a senior from Orlando, Fla., is a four-time All-South Atlantic Conference selection, including 2007 where she garnered First Team honors. Valderrama earns this award for a second time in her storied career (2004, 2007) as she posted an impressive 68-17 career singles record, including 21-3 in league play. During the 2006-07 campaign, she went 15-6 at No. 1 singles, including 6-1 in SAC matches.

Hartley, a rising senior from Beamsville, Ontario, Canada, recorded an 11-7 mark at No. 4 singles and earns this award for the first time in her career.

Tusculum, under the direction of head coach Tommy Arnett, is one of 43 Division II teams to be recognized, posting a team cumulative grade point average of 3.353. The Pioneer men's squad also earned ITA All-Academic Team status, making Tusculum College one of only eight tennis programs in the country to have both its men and women's teams honored.

Tusculum went 15-6 last year, marking the Pioneers' seventh consecutive winning season and sixth in a row during the Arnett era.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of nine colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

- TC -

ITA NCAA II All-Academic Women's Tennis Award Recipients

Armstrong Atlantic State University

Barry University

Bellarmine University

Benedict College

Bloomsburg University

Brevard College

California State Los Angeles

California University of Pennsylvania

University of Charleston

Clarion University

Coker College

Columbus State University

Drury University

Erskine College

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Tech

Fort Hays State University

Georgia College & State U

Indianapolis, University of

Johnson C. Smith University

Lewis University

Lynn University

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Michigan Tech University

Newman University

Northern Kentucky University

Northwood University

Nova Southeastern University

Palm Beach Atlantic University

Pfeiffer University

Quincy University

Rockhurst University

Rollins College

Slippery Rock

University of South Dakota

Southern Arkansas University

Southwest Baptist University

St. Andrews Presbyterian College

Tarleton State University

TUSCULUM COLLEGE

Valdosta State University

West Liberty State College

West Virginia State University