Skyhawk netters noted for smarts

Seven members from last season’s University of Tennessee at Martin tennis team have received national recognition for their strong achievements on and off the court, as the International Tennis Association has named its ITA Scholar-Athletes for the 2010-11 season.
The ITA distributes the award based on varsity tennis accomplishments and outstanding scholastic achievements. Among UT Martin’s winners are returning players Johanie Van Zyl (4.0 Grade Point Average in 2010-11), Anna Winkelmann (4.0), Ivon Simic (3.91), Katie McCall (3.70), Jodie Tiley (3.63) and Alice Laing (3.61). The Skyhawks as a team boasted a 3.68 GPA for the academic year.
On the court, UT Martin secured its fifth Ohio Valley Conference championship, closing out another successful season under head coach Dennis Taylor with a 12-9 overall record (7-1 OVC). The 12 victories were the 15th time in 19 Division-I seasons that UT Martin had manufactured double-digit win totals under Taylor.
“I try to emphasize academics as well as the athletics side,” Taylor said. “I am equally as proud of this award as I am the OVC championship award.”
The ITA is the governing body of college tennis, overseeing men’s and women’s tennis at NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior/Community College. The ITA is comprised of nearly 1,700 coaches representing over 1,200 institutions across the country.

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