Ben Bucca

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers women’s tennis team has been recognized for its success in the classroom by receiving the 2009 Division I All-Academic Team award from the International Tennis Association (ITA). Eight Scarlet Knights earned individual ITA Scholar-Athlete honors, tying Gardner-Webb for the most in NCAA Division I.

“I am extremely happy for the girls on last year’s team that achieved this academic accomplishment,” said head coach Ben Bucca. “Having eight out of nine girls receiving All-Academic honors truly puts us as one of the elite teams in the nation, both academically and athletically. It speaks well for the girls on the team, the program, and Rutgers University.”

A total of 102 Division I programs were recognized as women’s ITA All-Academic teams. To be nominated, the team must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher.

The members of the RU women’s tennis team to be named ITA Scholar-Athletes were: Katherine Arlak, Caitlin Baker, Jennifer Holzberg, Morgan Ivey, Leonora Slatnick, Christine Tran, Polina Zaretser and Amy Zhang.

In order to earn the ITA Scholar-Athlete award, the student-athlete must be a varsity letter winner, have a grade-point average of at least 3.5, and have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters.

For a complete listing of all the 2009 ITA All-Academic teams and ITA Scholar-Athletes, please visit www.itatennis.com.