April 29, 2008

LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's tennis team placed three student-athletes on the All-Patriot League Team after a runner-up finish at the 2008 Patriot League Tournament, two weekends ago, the league announced on Tuesday. Junior Paulina Gamboa (Mexico City, Mexico/Greengates School) and sophomore Tania Varela (Quito, Ecuador/Alliance Academy) earned first-team accolades, while freshman Lauren Lucido (Woodstock, Md./St. Paul's School for Girls) earned a second-team honor.

Junior Paulina Gamboa

This spring, Gamboa posted a record of 10-8 in singles, playing at both the No. 1 (0-3) and No. 2 (10-5) positions. She paired with sophomore Carlin Calcaterra (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central) in doubles, for a record of 10-7 (1-4 at No. 1, 9-3 at No. 2). Gamboa also paired with fellow honoree, Varela, one time this season, picking up a win at No. 1 doubles. At the Patriot League tournament, Gamboa went 4-0, picking up two wins at No. 2 singles, and two wins at No. 2 doubles with Calcaterra. Gamboa currently ranks seventh for career combined victories, ninth for career singles victories and fifth for career doubles victories, in Bucknell's record books.

Varela was the 2007 Rookie of the Year and continued to post solid numbers during her sophomore season. At No. 1 singles, Varela went 10-4 this spring. She paired with Lucido at No. 1 doubles, to post a record of 11-3. She also paired with Gamboa once at No. 1 doubles, picking up a win for the Bison. Like Gamboa, Varela went 4-0 at this year's Patriot League tournament. She picked up two wins at No. 1 singles and two wins at No. 1 doubles. As a result of her performance at the league tournament, Varela was named Bucknell's Bison Athlete of the Week on April 20. In Bucknell's record books, Varela ranks 13th for career combined wins, 10th for career doubles victories and 10th for combined winning percentage.

Lucido, the league's Rookie of the Month in October, played mostly at the No. 3 singles position and at the No. 1 doubles position, paired with Varela, during her freshman campaign. This spring, Lucido went 11-8 in singles (3-0 at No. 1, 1-2 at No. 2, 7-6 at No. 3), while she and Varela posted a record of 11-3 in doubles. As a freshman, Lucido entered Bucknell's rankings for combined winning percentage; she sits in 15th place.

The Bucknell women's tennis team closed out the 2008 season with a 9-11 overall record and 4-2 record in league play. The Bison placed second at the Patriot League tournament, falling to Army by a score of 4-3, in the closest championship match in league history.

2008 Women's Tennis All-Patriot League

First Team *
Kristin Beehler, Army, So.
Caitlin Finnegan, Army, Fr.
Sarah Giles-Madden, Army, Jr.
Annie Houghton, Army, Fr.
Paulina Gamboa, Bucknell, Jr.
Tania Varela, Bucknell, So.
Elise DeRose, Colgate, So.
Samantha Inacker, Colgate, So.

Second Team
Diana Alquero, Army, Sr.
Niki Flach, Army, Jr.
Lauren Lucido, Bucknell, Fr.
Ansley Scudder, Lafayette, Jr.
Julie Arthofer, Lehigh, So.
Allison Schwartz, Lehigh, Jr.

* - there are eight (8) members of the first team due to ties in voting

Major Award Winners
Player of the Year: Annie Houghton, Army
Rookie of the Year: Annie Houghton, Army
Coach of the Year: Paul Peck, Army