June 16, 2008

Bridgeport, Pa. - The Mercyhurst women's water polo team had the second-highest team grade point average in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) for 2008 and eight individuals were named to the CWPA All-Academic Team for maintaining a 3.2 grade point average or better.

Mercyhurst's combined grade point average of 3.38 was the second best total among all eligible teams. Harvard just edged the Lakers with a 3.40 GPA. Twelve teams were honored for their academic achievement by posting a 2.75 team GPA or higher.

Four Mercyhurst athletes were named to the Outstanding All-Academic Team for holding a 3.71 cumulative grade point average or higher. They were freshman Chrissy Becks, junior Kallen Dearnbarger, senior Renee Sander, and senior Christie Haibach.

Four more team members were honored on the Superior All-Academic Team with a GPA between 3.41 and 3.70. They were seniors Christine Somera, Rhonda Marable, and Carrie Willison, along with sophomore Cathi Korenich. Sophomore Jacqueline Phillips was named to the Excellent All-Academic Team for maintaining a GPA between 3.20 and 3.40.

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.