April 17, 2008

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Southern Conference announced today the 2008 Men's and Women's All-Conference selections as well as the player of the year, freshmen of the year, coach of the year and sportsmanship award from Charleston, S.C., the site of the 2008 men's and women's championship. The All-Conference selections were selected by the leagues' coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own players.

Furman swept the Coach of the Year awards with Debbie Southern winning the women's and Paul Scarpa winning the men's. Southern led Furman to a 16-5 overall record, a 9-0 conference record and their 10th consecutive regular season championship. This is Southern's sixth straight Coach of the Year award.

Monica Arguello of Furman earned the Freshmen of the Year award. Arguello had a 17-4 overall record and a 9-0 conference record at No. 2 singles and was 10-6 at No. 2 doubles with teammate Lauren Osborne. The Lakeland, Fla., native is on a five-match winning streak and was the April 15 league Player of the Week. Arguello defeated Anamika Bhargava of Pepperdine, who was ranked No. 34 by Intercollegiate Tennis Association, in three sets.

Five women's tennis players also earned all-conference honors. Junior Laura Gioia and freshman Monica Arguello were both named to the first team all-conference for singles, while Laura Gioia and Natasa Manojlovic earned first team honors in doubles.

Earning second team all-conference honors were senior Lauren Osborne at flight three, sophomore Jessica Preeg at flight four, and senior Natasa Manojlovic at flight six. Arguello and Osborne also earned second team honors in flight two doubles.

Furman will begin play in the Southern Conference tournament on Friday, April 18, with a match against Appalachian State. Match time is set for 10:00 a.m.

Women's Awards
Player of the Year - Alejandra Guerra, UNC Greensboro
Freshman of the Year - Monica Arguello, Furman
Coach of the Year - Debbie Southern, Furman

Women's First Team All-Conference
Singles
Kelsey Linville, Davidson
Deanna Bailey, Elon
Laura Gioia, Furman
Monica Arguello, Furman
Alejandra Guerra, UNC Greensboro
Anna Milian, Elon

Doubles
Deanna Bailey/Anna Milian, Elon
Laura Gioia/Natasa Manojlovic, Furman
Alejandra Guerra/ Arielle Vonstrolley, UNC Greensboro

Second Team All-Conference (by position)
#1- Tessie Salame, Western Carolina
#2- Virginia Berry, Davidson
#3- Lauren Osborne, Furman
#4- Jessica Preeg, Furman
#5- Anna Lee Evans, College of Charleston
#6- Natasa Manojlovic, Furman

Doubles
#1D- Laura Borza/Link Leskosky, College of Charleston
#2D- Monica Arguello/Lauren Osborne, Furman
#3D- Chelsea Albertz/Anna Lee Evans, College of Charleston