WILSON/ITA NAIA MIDWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Sept. 20-22, 2007 - Cedarville University Tennis Complex
COMPLETE RESULTS
13-7 (.650) Overall
6-3 (.667) American Mideast Conference South Division
SEASON HIGHTLIGHTS
NCCAA National Runner-Up
NAIA Region IX Qualifier
Four NCCAA All-Americans
Alisa Rutt
Three Lady Jackets scholar-athletes; Rutt tabbed All-AMC
CEDARVILLE, Ohio (5-24-2007) - Seniors Laura McCully and Betsy Verwys as well as junior Melinda Workman have been named NAIA Scholar-Athletes for the 2007 season. It's the second straight selection for McCully and Verwys to the group that includes juniors and seniors, who maintain a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade point average. [NAIA SCHOLAR-ATHLETES]
Alisa Rutt was voted to the nine-member All-American Mideast Conference Team in singles. She posted a 12-4 record in the #1 position to run her career record to 35-15. McCully, Verwys, and Workman were all recognized as AMC Scholar-Athletes. [ALL-AMC TEAM and AMC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES]
Tennis season started off right with trip to DR
The Lady Jacket tennis team prepped for what turned out to be a successful 2007 season with a missions trip to the Dominican Republic during spring break.
by Jim Sawin, sports information intern
CEDARVILLE, Ohio - A number of athletic teams at Cedarville University head south during spring break in order to compete in some favorable weather conditions. Baseball and softball head to Florida, golf to Georgia, and track and field to Tennessee. While all of the above teams travel south for competition, the women's tennis team went against the norm by taking a trip to the Dominican Republic without their tennis racquets. [FULL STORY]
Lady Jackets NCCAA runner-up; four garner All-America honors
The Lady Jackets pose with their runner-up plaque at the NCCAA National Tournament in Greer, S.C.
GREER, S.C. (5-10-2007) - NAIA No. 14 and unbeaten Indiana Wesleyan ended a terrific run by the Lady Jackets at the NCCAA National Tournament with a 5-0 victory over CU in the championship match. Cedarville, who was also the 2004 runner-up, closes the campaign with a 13-7 overall record.
The Wildcats, 22-0, won all three doubles matches by identical 8-3 scores. They wrapped up their third banner in the past five years with victories at #3 and #4 singles. [RESULTS]
Alisa Rutt, the squad's #1 singles player, earned a spot on the NCCAA All-America First Team and was then joined by freshman Georgiann McClure for a position on the All-America First Team in doubles. Laura McCully and Betsy Verwys were selected to the All-America First Team in singles and to the Second Team in doubles. Rutt and Olivia Dolph were also recognized as NCCAA Ministry Athletes. [NCCAA AWARDS]
Dee Morris
Johnson hands coaching reins to Morris
CEDARVILLE, Ohio (4-10-2007) - Pam Johnson, who won 280 women's tennis matches during a 30-year coaching career at Cedarville University, has resigned her post with the Lady Jackets and longtime assistant Dee Morris will assume the helm. Athletic director Pete Reese announced that the move is retroactive to the beginning of the season and that the team's 8-0 start this spring will be attributed to Morris' record.
Dr. Johnson, who will assume the position of Associate Coach with the Lady Jackets, remains at CU as the Dean of the School of Health and Human Performance. She is also the acting Dean of the School of Humanities, Fine Arts and Bible which is a role she assumed during this school year. The lack of time to devote to tennis was key to the decision.
"While this is difficult, it is appropriate," Johnson said. "With my responsibility in the deanship, I have just not had the time to commit to the program and Dee has handled all of the coaching duties this season anyway. She has been with me all of these years and is more than capable of being the head coach."
Pam Johnson guided the Lady Jackets to 280 victories.
Johnson is recognized as one of the foremost authorities in NAIA women's tennis. She has been a member of the NAIA National Tournament Committee since 1985 and has held the position of NAIA National Tournament Director since 1989. She also serves as the National Christian College Athletic Association tennis chair.
Johnson took over the Lady Jacket tennis program in the spring of 1977 and guided the women to four NAIA Region IX championships, seven NAIA District 22 championships, four American Mideast Conference titles, two Mid-Ohio Conference titles, and two Western Buckeye Collegiate Conference crowns. She took 12 teams to the NAIA National Tournament and coached 29 NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes.
Dr. Morris, who is an adjunct professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University, has served as a Lady Jacket assistant coach since 1977. She has a well-respected reputation within NAIA women's tennis and has been an active participant in many capacities.
Morris has been a member of the NAIA National Tournament Committee since 1989 and serves on the NAIA Rating Committee. She is also the women's tennis chair for the American Mideast Conference.
Kellogg signs with Cedarville
Homeschool student and Arlington, Ohio native Joy Kellogg (front left) has signed a letter of intent to attend Cedarville University and play tennis for the Lady Jackets. She played for Findlay High School and is seated along side head coach Ray Elbin. Also present for the signing were Joy's parents, Beth and Jerry Kellogg.
Attention, former Lady Jacket tennis players
from Head Coach Dee Morris
CEDARVILLE, Ohio - As you have discovered, after college graduation, "life" happens, with its triumphs, blessings, challenges and sometime sorrows as well. God's Word directs us to rejoice with one another, grieve with one another, and pray always for one another. With the help of our Sports Information staff, we'd like to facilitate your sharing news, prayer requests, changes in location, etc. with your former teammates.
When you have something you'd like to share with the Lady Jacket Tennis Family, e-mail it to me: morrisl@cedarville.edu. Each month, September through May, I will put them together, along with any current tennis happenings, and pass them on to Assistant SID Jim Clark, who will place them on our women's tennis website in an "electronic newsletter", i.e. "Volleys from the 'Ville" in pdf format. You will be able to access "Volleys" by means of a link. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Head Coach
Dee Morris
Associate Head Coach
Pam Johnson
Assistant Coach
Melissa Hartman
Tennis Facts
- 12 NAIA National Tournament appearances
- 4 NAIA Region IX Championships
- 8 Conference Championships
- 18 straight winning seasons
- 29 NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes
