Central Islip, N.Y. - Junior Erika Goldsmith
from Queens College has earned the title of ECC Player of Year, as
selected by the league’s coaches. Sara Burinato from
New York Institute of Technology has been named the ECC Rookie of
the Year.
Goldsmith was a force in the Queens College lineup in 2011,
finishing with a combined overall record of 23-1. She boasts
an 11-1 record in singles play with her only loss coming in the
quarterfinals of the USTA/ITA East Region Tournament. In ECC
action, Goldsmith posted an unblemished 6-0 record playing in both
the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. In doubles play, Goldsmith went a
perfect 12-0, including taking home the USTA/ITA East Region
“A” doubles title.
Burinato compiled a 14-1 record in singles in her first year for
NYIT, including a 5-1 record at the No. 2 singles in conference
play. The highlight of her rookie season came when she won
five straight matches to take home the USTA/ITA East Region
“A” Singles title and will now compete in the ITA
Nationals in Mobile, Alabama. She was also outstanding in doubles
action, teaming with Gabriela Rodriguez to post a 13-2 overall
record.
T. Richard “Dickie” Mahaffey III of the University of
the District of Columbia has been tabbed as the 2011 ECC
Women’s Tennis Coach of the Year by his peers. Mahaffey, who
also won the 2011 ECC Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year honor,
takes home the award after leading the Firebirds to a huge
turnaround this season. After finishing 0-6 in conference play a
year ago, UDC went 6-0 in 2011, clinching the regular season
championship and top seed in the ECC Championship.
2011 ECC
Women’s Tennis All-Conference
First Team
Sara Burinato, Fr., New York Institute of Technology
Rocio Benavent, So., New York Institute of Technology
Erika Goldsmith, Jr., Queens
Kristyna Nepivodova, Jr., District of Columbia
Jessica Nunez, So., District of Columbia
Robyn Romanoff, So., Dowling
Second Team
Phoebe Chiem, Fr., Queens
Maxime Duijst, Fr., District of Columbia
Francesca Fanchin, Fr., Queens
Gabriela Rodriguez, Jr., New York Institute of Technology
Anna Rodionova, So., Queens
Maria Vitkina, Sr., District of Columbia
Player of the Year: Erika Goldsmith, Jr.,
Queens
Rookie of the Year: Sara Burinato, Fr., New York
Institute of Technology
Coach of the Year: T. Richard
“Dickie” Mahaffey III, University of the District of
Columbia
