Aug. 5, 2005

The Sacred Heart University women's tennis team, under head coach Mike Guastelle, earned the distinction of being an Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Academic Team for the fourth straight year. The Pioneers, one of seven schools from New England (Boston College, Brown, Dartmouth, Fairfield, Massachusetts and Yale) posted a team grade point average of 3.33 to earn a spot on the list. Along with earning team honors, five of Guastelle's players earned ITA Academic All-American honors.

Earning ITA Scholar-Athlete honors were senior Katelyn Kittredge (Medfield, MA), juniors Lauren Galatie (Monroe, CT) and Darcy Shoop (Rocky Hill, CT) and sophomore Pam Pillo (Shelton, CT). From the men's team, freshman Chris McDonnell (Naugatuck, CT) earned the honor.

The ITA All-Academic Team award is open to any ITA program that has a cumulative team grade point average of 3.20 or above (on a 4.00 scale). All eligible student-athletes whose names appear on the NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA/CAJUCO eligibility form and have competed in one or more varsity matches must average into the GPA for the current academic year (including fall 2004 and spring 2005).

In order to earn ITA Scholar-Athlete status a player must meet the following criteria: 1) be a varsity letter winner, 2) have a grade point average of at least 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale) for the current academic year, and 3) have been enrolled at their present school for at least 2 semesters. This award honors freshman through seniors year.

For full list of ITA Academic Awards click here