After having one of the most impressive seasons for an Illinois State womens tennis player, Liina Suurvarik was selected to the 2003 Verizon Academic All-District V Womens At-Large First Team for the second consecutive season. Ten female athletes who play in one of 14 sports are elected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America. District V covers Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Suurvarik posted 37-6 singles record and ended the year national-ranked No. 38 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Suurvariks 13-0 Missouri Valley Conference record helped the Birds take their second conference title in three years. Suurvarik was named first team All-Valley at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles.
Head coach Chris Hoover was not surprised to see Suurvarik, a 3.89 student in international business, keep earning recognition.
She is one of the best players to play for our program, Hoover said. The fact that she continues to get awards not just for her play on the courts but for her academics speaks volumes for the type of player she is both on and off the courts.
Verizon Academic selections are required to be a sophomore in athletic and academic standing, a starter or important reserve, and carry at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average. Suurvarik joins approximately 80 other all-district selections on the national ballot for Verizon Academic All-American status. The team is elected by approximately 100 CoSIDA members, and will be announced June 20.
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