Polina Zelentsova Named ECC Rookie of the Year; Marie and Franco Earn All-Conference Honors

WEST BABYLON, N.Y.- for the third consecutive year, the ECC's women's tennis Rookie of the Year is a Firebird. Polina Zelentsova, was named this year's ECC Rookie of the Year as was announced by the conference office this afternoon. Laura Marie and Mariona Franco also earned Second-Team All-Conference honors. 

Zelentsova takes home the highest rookie honor after going 6-4 overall and 2-1 in ECC play and advancing to the Round of 16 at the ITA Division II Women's East Regional Singles Championship in her first collegiate season. The two-time ECC Rookie of the Week earned No. 2 singles wins over D'Youville and St. Thomas Aquinas and teamed up with parter Sofia Bellucco to earn an ECC doubles win over D'Youville, finishing doubles play with an overall record of 3-5. 

Marie went 8-3 on the season, and 3-2 in the ECC play at No.1 and 2. She walso made it to the quarterfinals of the ITA East Regional Championships back in September. 

Franco went 6-3 on the season and 4-1 in conference play. She played at the No.3 and 2 positions.

2023 ECC Women's Tennis All-Conference
First Team
Caroline Hany-Fawzy, Queens
Apolline Lamy, Queens
Maja Makal, Queens
Kitsa Scime, Daemen
Elita Silins, St. Thomas Aquinas
Ebba Rosberg, St. Thomas Aquinas

Second Team
Sara Berggren, Queens
Mariona Franco Martin, District of Columbia
Laura Marie, District of Columbia
Eva Rivoal, Queens
Elise Semmartin, St. Thomas Aquinas
Samanta Villegas Robles, St. Thomas Aquinas 

Player of the Year: Ebba Rosberg, St. Thomas Aquinas
Rookie of the Year: Polina Zelentsova, District of Columbia
Co-Coach of the Year: Alan Nagel, Queens
Co-Coach of the Year: Daniel Rockhill, St. Thomas Aquinas