Women’s Tennis Players Honored at End of Season Banquet

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Harvard women’s tennis team celebrated its successful season with a banquet Monday afternoon.

Current captain Samantha Rosekrans and sophomore Holly Cao were announced as co-captains for the 2010-11 season.

Four awards were given out recognizing hard work and dedication both on the tennis courts and in the weight room. Coaches Traci Green and Laura Gordon presented the Jack Barnaby Most Valuable Player Award to Cao, who compiled a 15-4 record at No. 1 singles this spring. In the fall, she recorded 11 wins and captured the ITA Northeast Regional title.

The Alden Bryant Most Improved Player Award was given to freshman Kristin Norton. In her first season at Harvard, Norton posted a 14-6 record in dual matches at the No. 3 singles spot. She closed out the season by winning seven of her final nine matches, and went 5-2 in Ivy League play.

Brian Hess, the assistant director of strength and conditioning, gave out two awards based on performance in the strength and conditioning center. Sophomore Sam Gridley received the Most Outstanding in Strength and Conditioning Award, while Norton was the recipient of the Most Improved award.

The team will gather Tuesday evening to watch the NCAA Tournament selection show on ESPNews. With a 14-7 overall record and a No. 39 national ranking, the Crimson is hoping for an at-large berth to the tournament, which begins Friday, May 14 at campus sites.