April 20, 2007

Raleigh, N.C. - With a 19-3 record for the season, the Wildcats women's tennis team of Bethune-Cookman University is reaping the rewards for a very successful season. B-CU placed four student-athletes on this year's All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Team as announced late Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C.

Last year's MEAC Rookie of the Year Kiara Powell did not fail in a showing her repeat status as an All-MEAC competitor for the Wildcats of B-CU by being selected to the First Team All-MEAC squad. Powell finished the season with a 23-9 (20-1 dual) mark overall and her second perfect season in conference play at 10-0. Her record in the MEAC now stands at 20-0 as a sophomore ... the best starting mark in school history for any women's player. Powell is also in the midst of a 20-match winning streak, not having lost at singles since Feb.17 at Georgia Southern.

Joining Powell on this year's All-MEAC First Team is freshman Monika Musilova who finished 20-0 in MEAC play as well, all while earning a 20-1 record for the spring (34-4 on the season). Musilova was also a finalist for the MEAC Rookie of the Year award, falling just short to South Carolina State's Iveta Blodniece. Musilova is the second consecutive B-CU women's player to earn All-MEAC First or Second Team honors as a freshman. In fact, Musilova just recently had her 20-match winning streak snapped against North Florida.

Lucia Polakova a senior for the Wildcats, is joining her other two teammates on the First Team after compiling a 7-1 record in the MEAC, as well as a 23-11 overall mark (15-4 dual). During the course of the year, Polakova collected an eight-match winning streak, as well as another five match-streak towards the end of the season. Polakova plays at the No. 2 position for B-CU, and combined with Valerie Kendrick for a 6-1 doubles record in MEAC play this year.

Making her way onto the All-MEAC Second Team for the `Cats is Olga Ruislova, the Wildcats No. 1 position singles player for two straight years at Bethune-Cookman. Ruislova was a staple for the `Cats with determination and gusto at the top, usually pushing her teammates for more at every match. She finished the season with a 13-9 spring record and 7-3 in conference play, and is riding a nine-match winning streak alongside Powell at the doubles No. 1 position for B-CU.

All four Wildcats will be looking to earn the first MEAC title for head coach Trey Bogue this weekend, as well as bring home the first conference crown to Daytona Beach in women's tennis since 2001. The tournament begins today and runs through Sunday for the men and women's championship match.

This year's MEAC Women's Player of the Year went to Mirian Cruz (S.C. State) who was almost a unanimous decision for the top honor. Coach of the Year honors were recived by Florida A&M's Rochelle Goldthreate. For more information on the All-MEAC Team as well as this year's MEAC Tournament which kicks off today, please call the MEAC Office at (757) 416-7100. This year's MEAC Tournament is taking place at the Millbrook Tennis Center in Raleigh, N.C.