TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian University seniors Julianne Cassady, Maddie Figiel and Cristina Merone and freshman Izzy Szmodis have been selected to the 2023 Landmark Women’s Tennis All-Conference Teams.
The quartet led the Hounds to an 18-4 overall record and a 6-1 mark in the Landmark Conference regular season that earned the Blue & Grey the second seed in the Landmark Conference Tournament. Moravian would defeat third seed Goucher College in the Semifinals to advance to the championship contest for the four straight tournament before falling to top seed Drew University to finish out the year.
Cassady, made the First Team in both singles and doubles after being on the Landmark All-Conference Second Team in singles and doubles in 2022. Cassady had 12-9 mark in singles action while playing in the top spot in the Moravian line-up, and she finished her career with a singles mark of 30-23.
“This is an amazing recognition for Jules,” commented Director of Tennis Mariana Freitas. “She finished with a 5-2 record in the conference in both singles and doubles. This is a massive improvement from last year and it’s certainly due to her dedication and perseverance. She was able to learn from the previous season, and develop and grow as a player, which led to her success this year playing at the top spot in the lineup.”
Cassady and Szmodis combined for a 16-6 mark in at first doubles this season.
“That’s just incredible to me, to see the combination of a senior and a freshman to be recognized as All-Conference First Team in doubles,” stated Freitas. “I was hesitant at first to pair the two of them together, but it was fun to watch them become a really good team and see them be there for each other.”
Figiel, who was the 2021 Landmark Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament Most Valuable Player and was selected to the 2022 All-Conference Second Team in singles, made the All-Conference First Team in singles and Second Team in doubles with Merone this year. Figiel was 17-1 while playing second singles in 2022-23 to finish her career with a 42-3 singles slate, and her .933 winning percentage is second in program history.
“Maddie had a phenomenal year,” Freitas commented. “She went undefeated in conference play and only had one loss in singles against a non-conference opponent. She takes care of business every time she steps on the court, and she has been a constant win for us over the past four years.”
Figiel and Merone earned a spot on the Landmark All-Conference Second team as the duo combined for a 20-2 record at second doubles, setting a new program record for wins as they became the first doubles tandem in school history to earn 20 wins in a single season. Over the last two years, the duo is 34-2 in doubles action. Overall, Merone was 48-5 in doubles action in her career, the second most wins in program history with a .906 winning percentage ranking fourth while Figiel had a 40-4 career doubles mark with her .911 winning percentage sitting at third all-time.
“This is a well-deserved recognition for this duo that became the first in program history to reach 20 doubles wins in a single season,” Freitas said. “Maddie and Cristina have been our consistent, steady team all year. They are one of the best doubles teams we’ve ever had here at Moravian. I count myself lucky to have been with these two every step of the way.”
Merone, who earned her first postseason honors by also making the Landmark All-Conference Second Team in singles this year, was 16-5 in singles action this season including a 13-3 mark at fourth singles. Merone posted a career mark of 36-5.
“I am so happy and proud of Cristina for finally getting the recognition she deserves,” noted Freitas. “This award was a long time coming. She is incredibly coachable, she works very hard, and her career stats speak for itself. She is such a big competitor, and she always finds ways to win.
“I am incredibly proud of our seniors. Our team has greatly benefited from their contributions on and off the court. They are great leaders, and they push each other and their teammates to be their best,” finished Freitas.
To view the full 2023 Landmark Women’s Tennis All-Conference Teams, visit https://landmarkconference.
