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University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Women's Tennis Holds Annual Banquet
May 18, 2009 | Tennis
May 18, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass women's tennis team held its annual banquet last week to celebrate a season full of accomplishments. Head Coach Judy Dixon also announced the team's end-of-season awards along with next year's team captain, Maude Lecluyse. The 2008-09 season had a number of high points including a strong performance at the Eastern Collegiate Invitational in the fall, wins over Albany, Long Island, and Columbia, and Dixon's 200th career win at UMass.
The evening started when Dixon recognized five Minutewomen (Laura Danai, Stephanie Gimenez, Gabriella Jannotta, Lecluyse, and Magdalena Ploch) who cracked the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll. Candynce Boney, Lecluyse, and Ploch were all honored for their league awards. Ploch was recently named Outstanding Rookie Performer and a first-team honoree. Boney was named a second-team member while Lecluyse cracked the Academic All-Conference Team.
Danai was also recognized for being named Spring Scholar Athlete and the Leadership Award recipient.
Dixon then announced awards that were voted on by the team.
Most Improved Player - Kaitlyn Carpenter
Sophomore Kaitlyn Carpenter upped her win total to 11 this season, including many impressive showings against some top opponents. Projected to play in the middle of the lineup, she stepped up to No. 2 singles on numerous occasions and posted a solid 4-4 record. Overall, her nine dual wins were good for fourth best on the team. The native of Alburtis, Pa. also improved in doubles, posting a 13-12 record after going 6-7 as a freshman. Her versatility was evident, playing with five different partners, with the most (9) coming alongside Boney.
Most Valuable Player - Maude Lecluyse
Already one of the best doubles players in school history, Lecluyse put together another impressive season in 2008-09. She tied her career-high with 18 doubles wins which included 10 consecutive victories with Danai to start the year. Her 13 singles victories also set a new career-high, with all of them coming in dual matches. Heading into her senior campaign, Lecluyse is already amongst the top five winningest doubles players in school history with 52 and with a strong senior season, should reach second on the school list, and has an outside chance of breaking Masha Pozar's mark of 74.
Coach's Award - Lauren MacKay
Senior Lauren MacKay won the award as the UMass player who best represents UMass Tennis both on and off the court. After acting as a key reserve her first three years on campus, MacKay stepped into the starting role this year and thrived. Her eight singles wins were by far a career best and equaled the number of victories her first three years combined. The co-captain recorded a solid 5-6 dual record including a 4-4 mark at No. 6. She also contributed in doubles play with an 8-6 record. Off the court, she has been a consummate team player and was also given the "Sticker Award" for the player who goes above and beyond for the team.
