Bucknell University Athletics
Freshman Women's Tennis Player Veronica Brown Named Patriot League Co-Rookie of the Year
5/13/2003 8:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
May 12, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Freshman Veronica Brown (Derwood, Md./Colonel Zadok Magruder) became the first Bucknell women's tennis player to be named Patriot League Rookie of the Year, sharing the award with Army's Megan Noble for the 2002-03 season. Brown also earned a spot on the all-league second-team, becoming the first Bison player to get the nod since Kerry Callaghan and Kristin Inglis made the all-league doubles team in 1999-2000.
Brown had an impressive first year, posting a 27-9 singles record that included a 23-6 mark at second singles. She was instrumental in helping the Bison to their first-ever playoff berth as the fourth seed in the Patriot League Tournament. During the fall, Brown put together a 10-match singles win streak, her longest of the season. Brown capped her fall season by capturing the gold medal at the second flight of the Patriot League Individual Tournament, the first BU player in 10 years to bring home the first-place medal.
In doubles play, the rookie was equally as impressive, going 20-10 while playing every match at the first flight. In the spring, Brown teamed up with sophomore Nadezda Curcic to post a 15-5 record, including a 3-2 mark in conference action.
With her 47 combined wins in doubles and singles, Brown already stands in the top-20 on the Bucknell all-time combined wins list.
Bucknell was 16-6 on the season, tying a school record for wins. The squad went 2-3 in Patriot League play, earning the fourth seed in the conference playoffs for the first time.
Following is a complete listing of the 2002-03 All-Patriot Leaugue teams and major award winners:
| 2003 All-Patriot League Women's Tennis Team | |||||
| Player, School | Class | Singles | Doubles | Hometown | Previous PL Honor(s) |
| First Team | |||||
| Katarina Kollarova, American | Jr. | #1 | #1 | Vinicne, Slovakia | ? |
| Kristina Georgieva, American | Jr. | #2 | #2 | Sofia, Bulgaria | `02 |
| Annie Collier, Army | Sr. | #2 | #1 | Baton Rouge, La. | '02; '01; `00 |
| Marissa Limsiaco, Army | So. | #1 | #2 | The Woodlands, Texas | ? |
| Marissa Alikpala, Colgate | So. | #1 | #2 | Lincoln, R.I. | `02 |
| Kristen Nowicki, Lehigh | Jr. | #1 | #1 | Greensburg, Pa. | ? |
| Second Team | |||||
| Aleksandra Zerkalova, American | So. | #3 | #2 | Moscow, Russia | ? |
| Olga Mikhailova, American | Sr. | #4 | #2 | Moscow, Russia | '02 POY; `02 |
| Megan Noble, Army | Fr. | #3 | #1 | Charlotte, N.C. | ? |
| Veronica Brown, Bucknell | Fr. | #2 | #1 | Derwood, Md. | ? |
| Lauren Erikson, Colgate | Sr. | #2 | #1 | Hollis, N.H. | `01 |
| Chez Saricas, Lafayette | Fr. | #1 | #1, #2 | Stamford, Conn. | ? |
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Katarina Kollarov, American, Jr.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Megan Noble, Army, Fr.
Veronica Brown, Bucknell, Fr.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Paul Peck, Army (fifth award: 2001, 2000, 1999, 1996)
