TOWSON, Md. --- The Moravian College women's tennis team has had four players named to the 2014 Landmark All-Conference Teams with freshman Brittney Eady earning Rookie of the Year honors and Head Coach Dawn Ketterman-Benner and her staff being named the Coaching Staff of the Year.
Eady, along with seniors Melissa Follett and Katie Zien, earned All-Conference First Team honors in singles, while Follett and senior Erica Venuti were on the All-Conference First Team in doubles. Eady and Zien made the All-Conference Second Team as a doubles tandem.
"I am thrilled that my seniors' talent was recognized and rewarded," Ketterman-Benner stated. "Katie, Melissa and Erica are the best of the best and have made Moravian tennis a dominant force in the conference. I am very proud of and very, very happy for these Moravian tennis players."
During her debut season, Eady was 16-4 in singles action, including an 11-3 mark at second singles. Eady was 5-1 in Landmark competition during the regular season. Eady and Zien had a 17-3 doubles record for the year with a 16-2 slate at second doubles and a 5-1 mark in the conference.
"Brittney is the future of Moravian tennis," Ketterman-Benner explained of the top freshman in the conference. "She is a passionate player who dominates on the court. She is most deserving of this Rookie of the Year honor."
Zien, who was on the All-Conference First Team in doubles the last three seasons and the All-Conference Second Team in singles a year ago, was 16-4 in singles with an 11-3 mark in third singles and a 6-0 slate in Landmark action. Follett, who was also on the All-Conference First Team in both singles and doubles last season, played first singles for the Greyhounds in her second year on the squad, posting an 11-7 mark with a 14-8 overall record. She was also 5-1 in Landmark action. Follett and Venuti were 11-9 as Moravian's top doubles team this season. Venuti made the All-Conference First Team in doubles for the second straight season after being on the All-Conference Doubles Team in 2012.
This summer, Ketterman-Benner is retiring from Moravian after 43 years of service including the last 28 as head coach of the women's tennis team. She has led the program to a 288-117 record, 11 conference championships, including three in the Landmark, and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. This year is her first Landmark Coaching Staff of the Year award and her fifth Coach of the Year honor. Ketterman-Benner is assisted by Jason Toedter, a 2004 Moravian graduate.
"Being named the Landmark Coach of the Year is a fitting tribute to Dawn as she ends a long and illustrious career," stated Director of Athletics Scot Dapp. "Her coaching record speaks for itself as her teams, year in and year out, are always in the championship hunt."
Ketterman-Benner has coached nine Greyhounds to Lehigh Valley Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Player of the Year honors, five Landmark Conference Players of the Year, three singles conference champions, and two conference doubles champions. She has also coached 26 players to All-Conference Honors, including eight to the first-team in singles and eight to the first-team in doubles. Additionally, her teams have earned the Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Academic Award for 13 straight years (2001-2013), and 55 of her players through those years have earned the ITA Scholar-Athlete honor.
"Being named Coach of the Year in my final year is the most gratifying," Ketterman-Benner said. "The Landmark coaches are all winners who are establishing Landmark tennis as a strong NCAA contender. This award is one I will cherish forever."
Moravian completed its 2013-14 season with a 14-4 record, and the Greyhounds were 5-1 in the Landmark regular season, earning the second seed in the Landmark Tournament. The squad, ranked No. 19 in the latest ITA Atlantic South Regional Rankings, fell to The Catholic University of America, 5-4, in the Landmark Semifinals to end the season.
