National Academic Honors for WLU Women’s Tennis
TEMPE, Ariz. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has honored Coach Heather Gallagher and her regionally-ranked West Liberty University women’s tennis program as a national ITA All-Academic Team for the 10th consecutive year.
In addition, a record seven members of Coach Heather Gallagher's regionally-ranked Hilltoppers earned national ITA Scholar-Athlete Awards for the 2019-20 academic year.
The West Liberty women posted a combined 3.76 team grade point average for the fall and spring semesters, far exceeding the 3.20 GPA threshold established by the ITA for All-Academic Team distinction. The Lady Hilltoppers’ seven individual honorees all recorded cumulative GPAs of 3.50 or higher for the academic year to earn the ITA Scholar-Athlete Award.
ISHIKA AGARWAL is a true freshman from Hyderabad, India and a member of the MEC All-Academic Team. A Business major, Ishika posted a perfect 4.00 GPA in each of her first two semesters.
LUISA AGUDELO is a graduate student from Cali, Colombia and a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete. A Marketing graduate and member of the MEC All-Academic Team, Luisa maintained a 3.74 GPA throughout the 2020-21 academic year.
GEMMA CLIFFE is a second-year freshman from Auckland, N.Z. and a repeat ITA Scholar-Athlete. A Business major and member of the MEC All-Academic Team, Gemma posted perfect 4.00 GPAs in each semester for the second straight year.
KATIE LOADER is a second-year freshman from Cambridge, Ohio and a repeat ITA Scholar-Athlete. An Accounting major and member of the MEC All-Academic Team, Katie had a combined 3.91 GPA for the 2020-21 year.
ALEX OLSON is a fourth-year junior from Parkersburg, W.Va., a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete and member of the MEC All-Academic Team. An Athletic Training major, Alex posted a 3.78 cumulative GPA during the fall and spring semesters.
ANITA PONTI is a third-year sophomore from Correggio, Italy, a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete and member of the MEC All-Academic Team. An Exercise Physiology major, Anita recorded a 3.78 cumulative GPA during the 2020-21 academic year.
NATHALIA VALENCIA is a second-year freshman from Cochabamba, Bolivia and a member of the MEC All-Academic Team. A Finance major, Nathalia maintained a 3.73 GPA during the 2020-21 academic year.
The Mountain East Conference was well represented with West Liberty being joined by Fairmont State, West Virginia State and West Virginia Wesleyan on the list of ITA All-Academic Teams.