Eight Women's Tennis Players Honored by ITA as All-America

HADLEY, Mass. – Eight individuals representing four NESCAC institutions have been honored by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) as All-America, it was announced on Monday.

Of the eight individuals selected by the ITA as All-America, five earned the honor last spring. The returning members included seniors Brittany Berckes of Amherst, Meghan McCooey of Tufts, and Grace Baljon of Williams along with Tufts junior Julia Browne and Middlebury sophomore Victoria Aiello. All eight players were named to the All-NESCAC First Team in May.

Headlining the eight honorees from the conference was Browne, as she earned singles and doubles All-America plaudits. The 2009 and 2010 NESCAC Player of the Year won this year's NCAA Women's Tennis Singles Championship as the third seed in the 32-player tournament, downing Baljon of Williams in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5. Browne was also individually recognized by the ITA with the Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship. Fellow Jumbo McCooey joined her doubles partner in claiming All-America honors for the second year in a row after the duo reached the semifinals of the NCAA Women's Tennis Doubles Tournament.

Although she finished second to Browne in the national singles tournament, Baljon of Williams led the Ephs to their third consecutive NCAA Women's Tennis title back in May. A three-time All-American in singles, Baljon finished her career with singles and doubles All-America accolades as she compiled a 91-23 singles record and an 83-20 doubles record. She was also recognized by the ITA as the Co-National Senior Player of the Year along with Siobhan Finicane of Pomona-Pitzer.

Also from Williams on the All-America team were sophomores Kristin Alotta and Taylor French. Alotta was recognized for her singles play, while French teamed with Baljon this year to earn All-America.

Middlebury sophomore Victoria Aiello followed a sensational first year with the Panthers by once again earning All-America recognition. Aiello was chosen as the 2009 NESCAC Rookie of the Year and is a two-time All-NESCAC First Team selection.

Closing out the All-America honorees from the NESCAC were Brittany Berckes and Laura Danzig from Amherst. The duo helped the Jeffs reach the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament after winning their sixth-straight NESCAC title. Berckes and Danzig garnered singles and doubles All-America recognition.

In order to be recognized by the ITA as All-America, a player must meet the following criteria: singles players must be a top eight seed in the NCAA singles tournament, or win one round at the NCAA singles tournament, or finish in the top 20 in the final ITA rankings, or win the ITA Fall Regional tournament, or win first-round match at the ITA National Small College Championships; doulbes players must be among the top four seeds in the NCAA doubles tournament, or win one round at the NCAA doubles tournament, or finish in the top 10 in the final ITA rankings, or win ITA Fall Regional tournament, or win a first round match at the ITA National Small College Championships.