April 18, 2002


49TH RANKED LADY PALADIN TENNIS RECOGNIZED BY SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

CHARLESTON, S.C.-- The 49th ranked Furman women's tennis team received multiple honors on Thursday when the Southern Conference recognized the Lady Paladins for their successful 2002 season.

Furman senior and 53rd ranked Megan Dunigan was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year for the fourth straight season, thus becoming the first player in league history to be named Player of the Year on four separate occasions. Dunigan is 22-0 in 2002, including a 9-0 record in conference play.

Freshman Mary Kovarik was also recognized as she received Freshman of the Year accolades. Kovarik, who played mainly at the No. 2 position, is 15-6 on the year and 8-1 in league action.

Gene Holman, Mary Neill Hagood, Natalie The, and Caroline Bentley added to the Lady Paladin trophy case when they were named to the Women's All-Conference Singles Second Team.

Furman's doubles teams also received recognition as the tandems of Dunigan-The and Kovarik-Bentley landed membership to the All-Conference Doubles First Team.

The Lady Paladins, who are seeded No. 1 for the Southern Conference Tournament, will begin their search for a 5th straight league tournament championship on Friday when Furman faces the winner of the Western Carolina-Georgia Southern match. The match is slated to begin at 9:00 a.m. at The Citadel's Earle Tennis Center.


Southern Conference Women's Player of the Year

Megan Dunigan


Southern Conference Women's Freshman of the Year

Mary Kovarik


Women's All-Conference First Team (Singles)

Megan Dunigan
Mary Kovarik


Women's All-Conference First Team (Doubles)

Megan Dunigan and Natalie The
Mary Kovarik and Caroline Bentley


Women's All-Conference Second Team (Singles)

Gene Holman
Mary Neill Hagood
Natalie The
Caroline Bentley