Posted: Oct 25, 2011
Wellesley Tennis Sweeps Major NEWMAC Awards
WELLESLEY, Mass. – The Wellesley College tennis team was honored by the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference on Tuesday, with the Blue sweeping the major post-season awards. Senior Marie Watanabe was named Player of the Year, first-year Melissa Clark was named Rookie of the Year, while head coach Brian Kuscher earned Coach of the Year honors.
In addition to the major awards, eight Wellesley student-athletes were named to the All-Conference team, each of the eight garnering at least one first-team selection.
Watanabe was recognized as the league's top player for the second time in her career. She previously earned the honor in 2009, while earning conference Rookie of the Year honors in 2008. A perfect 7-0 in NEWMAC singles play this year, Watanabe also earned first-team All-Conference at No. 1 singles, while combining with first-year Sojung Lee to earn All-Conference accolades at No. 1 doubles. As a doubles pair, Watanabe and Lee went 6-0 in NEWMAC matches this season. Lee also earned second team All-Conference honors in No. 5 singles, posting a 4-1 record.
Clark was named the league's Rookie of the Year, going 6-1 in NEWMAC play this season. A second-team selection at No. 3 singles, she paired up with classmate Joyce Chen to earn first-team All-Conference honors at No. 3 doubles. Clark and Chen had a fantastic year in doubles, going 5-0 against NEWMAC opponents.
Kuscher earns his first Coach of the Year honor, after leading the Blue to the 2011 NEWMAC Championship. The team posted a 7-0 regular season record and defeating Wheaton and MIT in the playoffs to take the title. This is Kuscher's fourth season at the helm of the Blue, and his second NEWMAC title.
Sophomore Erica Choo was named to the All-Conference first-team for her play at No. 2 singles. Working her way up the ladder, she went a combined 5-0 in NEWMAC singles this season, ending the year as the number two player in the line-up. Sophomore Kendall Tada also earned first-team honors in singles, going 6-0 between the number five and six flights.
Sophomore Diana Granger and first-year Emily Bary were honored at No. 2 doubles, earning first-team All-Conference accolades. The duo combined for a 5-0 record against NEWMAC opponents this season. Granger, the NEWMAC tournament's Most Outstanding Player, also earned second team All-Conference honors at No. 4 singles, compiling a record of 5-1.
The Wellesley tennis team will now look ahead the spring season including participating in the 2012 NCAA Championships.
2011 Women's Tennis All-Conference Team and Award Winners
Watanabe was recognized as the league's top player for the second time in her career. She previously earned the honor in 2009, while earning conference Rookie of the Year honors in 2008. A perfect 7-0 in NEWMAC singles play this year, Watanabe also earned first-team All-Conference at No. 1 singles, while combining with first-year Sojung Lee to earn All-Conference accolades at No. 1 doubles. As a doubles pair, Watanabe and Lee went 6-0 in NEWMAC matches this season. Lee also earned second team All-Conference honors in No. 5 singles, posting a 4-1 record.
Clark was named the league's Rookie of the Year, going 6-1 in NEWMAC play this season. A second-team selection at No. 3 singles, she paired up with classmate Joyce Chen to earn first-team All-Conference honors at No. 3 doubles. Clark and Chen had a fantastic year in doubles, going 5-0 against NEWMAC opponents.
Kuscher earns his first Coach of the Year honor, after leading the Blue to the 2011 NEWMAC Championship. The team posted a 7-0 regular season record and defeating Wheaton and MIT in the playoffs to take the title. This is Kuscher's fourth season at the helm of the Blue, and his second NEWMAC title.
Sophomore Erica Choo was named to the All-Conference first-team for her play at No. 2 singles. Working her way up the ladder, she went a combined 5-0 in NEWMAC singles this season, ending the year as the number two player in the line-up. Sophomore Kendall Tada also earned first-team honors in singles, going 6-0 between the number five and six flights.
Sophomore Diana Granger and first-year Emily Bary were honored at No. 2 doubles, earning first-team All-Conference accolades. The duo combined for a 5-0 record against NEWMAC opponents this season. Granger, the NEWMAC tournament's Most Outstanding Player, also earned second team All-Conference honors at No. 4 singles, compiling a record of 5-1.
The Wellesley tennis team will now look ahead the spring season including participating in the 2012 NCAA Championships.
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| Brian Kuscher | Marie Watanabe | Melissa Clark |
| Coach of the Year | Player of the Year | Rookie of the Year |
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| Emily Bary | Joyce Chen | Erica Choo |
| All-Conference | All-Conference | All-Conference |
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| Diana Granger | Sojung Lee | Kendall Tada |
| All-Conference | All-Conference | All-Conference |
2011 Women's Tennis All-Conference Team and Award Winners
NEWMAC Athlete of the Year: Marie Watanabe, Wellesley
NEWMAC Rookie of the Year: Melissa Clark, Wellesley
NEWMAC Coach of the Year: Brian Kuscher, Wellesley
NEWMAC Sportsmanship Award: Clark
First Team All-Conference
#1 Singles- Marie Watanabe, Wellesley
#2 Singles- Erica Choo, Wellesley
#3 Singles- Anastasia Vishnevetsky, MIT
#4 Singles- Julia Hsu, MIT
#5 Singles- Vynnie Kong, MIT
#6 Singles- Kendall Tada, Wellesley
#1 Doubles- Marie Watanabe & Sojung Lee, Wellesley
#2 Doubles- Diana Granger & Emily Bary, Wellesley
#3 Doubles- Melissa Clark & Joyce Chen, Wellesley
Second Team All-Conference
#1 Singles- Lyndsay Cooke, Wheaton
#2 Singles- Alexandra Marlowe, Wheaton
#3 Singles- Melissa Clark, Wellesley
#4 Singles- Diana Granger, Wellesley
#5 Singles- Sojung Lee, Wellesley
#6 Singles- Juanita Becerra, MIT
#1 Doubles- Lauren Quisenberry & Anastasia Vishnevetsky, MIT
#2 Doubles- Julia Hsu & Michelle Dutt, MIT
#3 Doubles- Juanita Becerra & Vynnie Kong, MIT