Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College women’s water polo team tied for the second-highest team GPA in NCAA women’s water polo for 2008 and nine student-athletes were honored as Academic All-Americans, as announced Monday evening by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC).
The Lakers’ combined team GPA of 3.38 tied Wheaton College (Ill.) for second place while Harvard University claimed the top honor with a team mark of 3.40. Overall, 22 teams were recognized for their academic excellence with a team GPA of 2.75 or better.
Junior Jacqueline Phillips led the Lakers on the Academic All-American ballot by garnishing the level of Excellent. Sophomore Chrissy Becks, senior Kallen Dearnbarger and recent graduates Christie Haibach and Renee Sander earned the level of Outstanding, while junior Cathi Korenich and other alumni, Rhonda Marable, Christine Somera and Carrie Willison placed on the Superior level.
Mercyhurst went 14-9 overall and 4-2 in CWPA play with its only two conference losses coming to nationally ranked Michigan and Indiana. The Lakers came one win shy of tying the school record, captured third at the CWPA Western Division Championship, and became the first NCAA Division II program to earn a bid to the Eastern Championship since the field was narrowed to eight teams in 2005.