April 28, 2008

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst women's water polo team produced one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2008, and when the Collegiate Water Polo Association announced its Western Division post-season awards, the Lakers were honored accordingly with head coach Curtis Robinette, freshman Rachel Griepsma and senior Christine Somera each earning mention.

Griepsma, after totaling a Mercyhurst freshman record 80 goals and leading the nation in goals per game average, became the first ever Laker to win CWPA Western Division Rookie of the Year. She was also named CWPA All-Western Division First Team. Somera landed a spot on the second team, and Robinette was named CWPA Western Division Coach of the Year.

Not only did Griepsma lead the Lakers in goals, she led the entire nation in goals per game average with 3.9 per outing. Her 80 goals is the second-highest single season total in Mercyhurst history, and she is the first freshman to lead the team in scoring since Ann Markley scored 52 in 2002.

Griepsma is also the only Laker to garner first team honors as a freshman.

Somera finished her senior campaign with 62 goals and a team-best 39 assists for a team-leading 101 points. It is her fourth time to be named CWPA All-Western Division, as she was tabbed on the first team in 2006 and 2007 and the second team as a freshman in 2005.

She is the only Laker to ever be a four-time honoree, and ends her four-year career as the all-time leader in points and ranks second in all-time goals and second in career assists.

Robinette, in his sixth year at the helm of the program, won his first coach of the year award and is the first coach in Mercyhurst's eight-year history to win it. He led the Lakers to a 14-9 overall record and a 4-2 mark in conference play. Mercyhurst's only two conference losses came to nationally ranked Michigan and Indiana.

The Lakers came one win shy of tying the school record for wins in a season, captured third place at the CWPA Western Division Championship, and became the first Division II program to earn a bid to the Eastern Championship since the field was narrowed to eight teams in 2005. It was Mercyhurst's first-ever appearance in the tournament.

Robinette has led the Lakers to no fewer than 11 wins in each of the five seasons.