KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Following a second place finish in the MIAA regular seaosn, the Kalamazoo College women's tennis team earned recognition with three players earning All-MIAA spots. Laura Hanselman earned a spot on the First Team while Helen Pelak and Maddy Winarski both made the Second Team.
Hanselman, a junior from Ann Arbor, Mich., completed the conference season with a 5-3 record at one singles. Hanselman is now 12-4 in MIAA play in her career. The junior played primarily at one doubles during conference play, as well. Along side Sonal Bahl, the duo finished with a 4-2 record in MIAA play. Hanselman also played and won a match at three doubles with Maya Srkalovic. This marks the first time Hanselman has been named to the First Team. As a freshman, Hanselman was placed on the Second Team while playing primarily two and three singles.
"Laura has overcome great adversity since last year," said Coach Mark Murphy. "Last year ended early with shoulder surgery. She has come back stronger than ever and has been a strong number one singles and doubles player for us. She was very deserving of First Team honors."
Playing primarily three singles this season, Pelak, a sophomore from Mclean, Va., finished the MIAA schedule with a 5-3 record for the second straight season to bring her conference wins total to 10. Playing at both one and two doubles, Pelak and Caroline Norton finished with a 6-2 overall record including winning both matches at No. 1. This is Pelak's first All-MIAA recognition as she helped the Hornets earn home court advantage in the first round of the MIAA tournament.
Coach Murphy said, "Helen has been outstanding this year. She has continued to improve and compete at a very high level. Helen is quite deserving of her first All-MIAA award."
Winarski, a sophomore from Rochester Hills, Mich., followed up her First Team All-MIAA freshman season with Second Team recognition following her second year. Playing two singles all season, Winarski finished with a 7-1 record in MIAA play for the second year in a row and 15-5 overall. In doubles, Winarski and Ella Knight combined to win five of six matches. The duo won both matches at two doubles while going 4-1 at No. 3. Winarski was acknowledged as MIAA Player of the Week during the final week of regular season play.
"Maddy has had another excellent year for our team," said Coach Murphy. "She continues to be a great competitor and the conference has recognized her two years in row."