NORFOLK, Virginia - Veteran coach Jenny Garrity was selected Coach-of-the-Year and junior Christina Lee collected First-Team honors to lead UNCW's contingent on the Colonial Athletic Association's All-Conference team announced Thursday night.
On the eve of the team's debut in the CAA Women's Tennis Championships, the Seahawks, ranked 74th by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, featured five honorees. In addition to Garrity and Lee, freshmen Angie Sekely (Second-Team) and Kelly Cameron (Third-Team) were each recognized for their singles play, while Sekely and rookie Olga Blank collected Second-Team All-CAA accolades in doubles.
The fourth-seeded Seahawks battle No. 5 Old Dominion on Friday at 8:30 a.m. in one of four quarterfinal matches at ODU's Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center.
"To have four different players selected to the All-CAA team says a lot about where our program is going and with three of those players being freshmen, it also says a lot about where we're headed," said Garrity.
Garrity, who has piloted the Seahawks to nine straight winning seasons, picked up her first CAA Coach-of-the-Year honor and the third of her career. She was also named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach-of-the-Year in 2000 at N.C. State and Big 12 Coach-of-the-Year in 2001 at Kansas.
"I'm very humbled and honored to receive the CAA Coach of the Year Award," said Garrity. "I don't think there's a bigger honor than one in which you are nominated and selected by your coaching peers. We have tremendous coaches in this league and it's enjoyable for me battling against their teams throughout the spring. I'm rewarded every single day though by being around the wonderful young women in our program and we really look forward to opening play on Friday."
Lee compiled a 20-4 record this spring and becomes the first UNCW player to be named First-Team All-CAA in singles. The Charlotte native (Providence Day School) carries an 11-match winning streak into this week's tournament and owns a 50-12 career record over three seasons. She moved up from the Second-Team last season.
"I'm absolutely thrilled for Christina to be the first UNCW player to make First-Team All-CAA," said Garrity. "We have had many players close, as Christina was last year, but she is the epitome of a college student-athlete and team player. The effort she gives every single day inspires our whole team and she handles herself with class every match. She has worked hard to become one of the league's top players and I'm so pleased for her to be rewarded in this manner."
Sekely, Cameron and Blank exemplified UNCW's youth movement in women's tennis. Sekely (Mississauga, Canada/Lorne Park) went 15-4 in singles, Cameron (Hilton Head Island, S.C./Smith/Sterns) fashioned a 13-4 mark and Blank (Kfar Sava, Israel/Rothberg) paired with Sekely for an outstanding 16-3 record at No. 1 doubles.
"Kelly and Angie have been amazing additions to our squad this year as freshmen and both were asked to play big roles in the top four as rookies. They have had tremendous courage and determination every single day. Their effort in matches is the reason they have pulled out so many tight victories, and I know they are looking forward to their first CAA Tournament.
"Olga and Angie have played some amazing doubles matches this spring and were also asked to play a big role at the No. 1 position all year. They have worked really well together in their matches and have been really consistent with their play, which is the hardest things to do successfully match-in and match-out. I have been so impressed with their fight and will under pressure to stay in their game plan and out-work opponents."
