Aug. 24, 2009

From Lafayette Sports Information

EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette men's and women's tennis teams have both been awarded the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Academic Award for the 2008-09 year. The women's team has now captured this award six straight years while it marks the fifth straight year of recognition for the men's squad. The Leopards were the only team in the Patriot League to win the award.

In addition, six players were honored with the Scholar-Athlete Award. On the women's team, Nancy Parker '09 (Geology), Sarah Sykes '09 (Biochemistry) and rising junior Kristie Cavanagh (Psychology and English) were recipients.

Lee Kojanis '09 (Biology) and rising seniors James Murphy (Economics & Business) and Eric Wiley (International Affairs) won the award on the men's side. All Scholar-Athlete Award winners must have maintained a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher for the academic year.

Sykes was named the Patriot League Women's Tennis Scholar Athlete of the Year and maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA during the spring semester. The Marquis and EXCEL scholar was honored with the American Chemical Society Prize, given by the Lehigh Valley Section of the American Chemical Society to the outstanding senior chemistry major for achievement in chemistry.

In June, 11 players earned spots on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll with six men and five females recognized, including Wiley who was also an All-League player for the third straight year.

The Leopards open their fall season on Sept. 19 with a match at Rider.