August 13, 2008

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced The University of Texas-Pan American women's tennis team earned the distinction as an ITA All-Academic Team for the 2007-2008 season.

"This is just another well deserved laurel that the women's team achieved during the best season in the program's history," said head tennis coach Rob Hubbard. "They put an exclamation mark on what a student athlete is all about by earning this academic award. I am extremely proud of them."

The Lady Broncs were selected as an ITA All-Academic Scholar Team for the third consecutive year. Three student-athletes, Luisa Cantu (Victoria, Tamps, Mexico/Colegio Jose de Escandon), Giana Oliveira (Santa Anna, Brazil/Eckerd College) along with Enrique Montemayor (Brownsville, Texas/Hanna H.S.) earned individual ITA Scholar-Athlete Awards.

Giana Oliveira

"Giana and Luisa (her second time) have continued a proud pattern of academic excellence on our women's team by receiving the individual Scholar - Athlete Award," Hubbard said. "The past three academic years we have had at least two Scholar - Athletes on the team and they are continuing to uphold what we would like to think is becoming tradition. They were stellar not only on the court but more importantly in the classroom."

"This is Quique's second time receiving this award as he continues to represent the men's team both on and off the court in an exceptional manner. Quique is a true student-athlete," added Hubbard.

Enrique Montemayor

The ITA All-Academic Team award is open to any ITA program that has a cumulative team grade point average of 3.20 or above (on a 4.00 scale). All eligible student-athletes whose names appear on the NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA eligibility form and have competed in one or more varsity matches must average into the GPA for the current academic year (including fall 2007 and spring 2008).

In order to earn ITA Scholar-Athlete status a player must meet the following criteria (1) be a varsity lettermen, (2) have a grade point average of at least 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale) for the current academic year and (3) have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters (including freshman through senior year).