Liina Suurvarik and Laura Gravino of the Illinois State womens tennis team received first-team Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete honors today, while Shelby Lipson gained honorable mention.
Head coach Chris Hoover was not surprised to see his athletes get rewarded for their hard play.
Laura, Liina, and Shelby are constant leaders for are team both on the court and in the class room, Hoover said. They have been able to play outstanding tennis and keep up their grades which shows the kind of work ethic they put forth.
Liina Suurvarik has maintained her stellar play while keeping up her 3.89 GPA in international business. Suurvarik, who is nationally ranked No. 40 by the ITA, posts a singles record of 32-5 and is undefeated in the Valley with a 7-0 record. This is the second time in her career Suurvarik earned Valley Scholar-Athlete honors.
Laura Gravino was the other Redbird making first-team scholar athlete. Gravino has been one of the hottest players for the Birds lately posting a singles record of 7-0 in the Valley and 6-0 in doubles play this season. This was the first time Gravino made the Valley Scholar-Athlete team.
Senior Shelby Lipson gained honorable-mention scholar athlete for the Redbirds. Lipson has been controlling the No. 6 singles with a 6-1 record in the Valley. This is the third-straight year that Lipson has earned Valley Scholar-Athlete honors.
To be eligible for selection to the Valley Scholar-Athlete team, a student-athlete must carry a 3.0 GPA and at least a sophomore in academic standing that participates as a starter or important reserve role for her team.
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