October 12, 2002

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . Luther College won its 20th Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Women’s Tennis Championship in the 21 years of the Tournament with a 5-3 victory over defending Champion Cornell College on Saturday.

In the Championship match, second seeded Luther took a 2-1 lead after doubles as Miriam Blom and Tara Huinker won #1 doubles (8-5) and Jacie Haroldson and Amanda Roiger won #3 doubles (8-3). Haroldson, Roiger and Huinker captured #4, #5 and #6 singles respectively to give the Norse the 5-3 victory over the top seeded Rams. Number three singles was not finished.

Cornell’s Lindsey Pfalmer and Sarah Leavenworth won at #1 and #2 singles, respectively. Leavenworth and Marie Schutte captured #2 doubles.

During the Championship Tournament, Luther also recorded a 6-0 victory over Buena Vista and a 5-1 win over Loras. Cornell defeated Wartburg (5-0) and Coe (6-0) en route to the Championship match.

In other action on Saturday, #3 Loras defeated #4 Coe, 5-4, in the third place match; #5 Simpson defeated #6 Central, 5-4, in the fifth place match and #8 Wartburg upset #7 Buena Vista, 6-3, in the seventh place match. Complete match-by-match results are here.

Pfalmer Named MVP: For the second time in three years, Pfalmer was chosen IIAC Most Valuable Player. After missing the entire 2001 season due to injury, the senior returned to the Rams’ line-up this fall and posted a 12-1 singles record and a 17-3 doubles record. She also garnered IIAC MVP honors in 2000.

Burke Named Coach of the Year: Cornell Head Coach Fred Burke was named IIAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year and third time since 1998. After leading Cornell to the 2001 Conference title, Burke led the Rams to an 11-2 record this season and the top seed in the Conference Championship.

All-Conference Team: With the new format of the Conference Championship, the coaches will vote on the 2002 All-Conference Team. The Team will be announced during the coming week.

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