ANDERSON, S.C. – For the second time in four semesters and a departmental record eighth time since the award's inception in 2007, the Anderson University women's tennis team has edged the men's golf squad for top academic honors following the spring semester, as announced by the department on Monday afternoon.
"We are so proud of our women's tennis team for excelling both in the classroom and on the courts this spring," said Vice President for Athletics Bert Epting, Jr. "Winning this prestigious award for the eighth time in school history is a great accomplishment, one which exemplifies the Trojan way! Great job ladies and Go Trojans!"
Competition for the academic honor was as spirited as ever, with eighteen teams achieving at least a 3.0 GPA for the semester, with women's tennis nosing out the men's golf team for the top spot by less than two one-hundredths of a point and the difference between first and sixth place being decided by less than eight one-hundredths.
The number of student-athletes attaining at least a 3.0 GPA for the spring semester increased by nearly eight percent over the fall term, with more than 77 percent of AU student-athletes (233) reaching at least a 3.0 GPA for the spring semester, including 78 student-athletes who posted a perfect 4.0 GPA for the term.
The women's tennis team, which posted a stellar 3.609 GPA for the spring semester – and included four players with perfect 4.0 GPA's – captured the honor from the Trojan men's cross country team, which had claimed the accolade in the fall for the first time in program history.
"I am so proud of the girls," said Anderson Director of Tennis Joey Eskridge. "This year they were exceptional on the court as well as the classroom. We lost five matches to Top-20 programs by a 4-3 score, so I am glad the girls are getting the department academic award. It is one of our goals every semester."
The Dr. Shirley Jacks Award is given to the team that possesses the highest grade point average at the end of each semester and the women's tennis team will be presented the trophy at an athletic event during the fall.
