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For Immediate Release
September 1, 2006
2006 Season Wrap-up
NWU’s tennis teams added to their traditions
of success in 2006.
The women started the season slow with a 2-7 start,
but later ripped through the competition on their way to 10 consecutive
wins. In that span, the women completed league play at 8-0 to win
the GPAC crown, and they defeated Dordt College for the GPAC Tournament
title. Unfortunately, their season ended one win shy of the national
meet as the Prairie Wolves lost 5-2 to the College of St. Scholastica
in the NAIA Region III championship match.
The men fared a bit better early in the season with
a 5-5 start, but followed with six straight losses, including five
at the Hilton Head Tournament. They bounced back by winning nine
consecutive matches and 11 of their last 13. After sharing the regular
season GPAC title with the University of Sioux Falls, NWU downed
the Cougars 5-1 in the finals of both the conference tournament
and the NAIA Region III tournament. The Prairie Wolves then advanced
to the NAIA Championships, where they fell to Northwood University
(Fla.), 6-3.
Both teams ended the year ranked in the NAIA Region
III polls; the women (16-11) finished No. 2, and the men (16-13)
were No. 1.
In addition, the NWU men’s team ranked No.
2 in the nation academically among the 2006 NAIA Scholar Teams.
The Prairie Wolves combined for a GPA of 3.76, just behind Roberts
Wesleyan University (3.79). Individually, juniors Grant Johnson
and Zac Kerr joined senior Amy Stickney as Daktronics/All-America
Scholar-Athletes.
Men’s All-GPAC selections went to Kerr, Johnson,
Nate Anderson, Nick Eker, Eric Holmes and Eric Tesmer, while Kylie
Fisher, Lauren Pfister, Mikayla Albin, Alex Yeagley, Mikaela Caudill,
Becca Brown and Natalie Brooks were recognized from the women’s
team. Head Coach Dr. Rick Harley was named Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC
Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year and shared the honor for the
women.
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