Six love tennis and the classroom
NEWPORT, R.I. - While transitioning to a new head coach for the first time in two decades, Salve Regina University women's tennis continued to enjoy success in the classroom. The Seahawks posted an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.23 to qualify as an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic Team.
Six individuals from the team also earned recognition as ITA Scholar-Athlete while posting a GPA of 3.50 or better. Senior Elizabeth Liguori (Westerly, R.I.), juniors Elizabeth DiFilippo (West Chester, Pa.) and Hayley Maxwell (Pound Ridge, N.Y.), sophomores Julie Grant (Warwick, R.I.) and Lindsey Macedo (Berkley, Mass.), and freshman Emma Gruber (New Canaan, Conn.) each qualify as an ITA Scholar Athlete.
The Seahawks are one of five women's tennis programs in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) to earn the team honor, joining Eastern Nazarene College, Endicott College, Gordon College, and Western New England University on the list. Five league schools had at least six individuals recognized with ITA Scholar Athlete status.
"Six of our players qualifying for this honor is very impressive," says Salve Regina head coach Cory Tusler, who replaced Ed Habershaw after the latter had started his coaching career in 1992. "Tennis is a two-season sport at the collegiate level so it takes great commitment to excel."
Salve Regina opens its 2014-15 season with a road conference match at Western New England (September 6) and welcomes prospective members into its pre-season and tryouts on Friday, August 22.