Bartell Earns IWU Women’s Tennis “Most Valuable” Honor

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Senior Debbie Bartell has been chosen as the “Most Valuable Player” for the 2005 Illinois Wesleyan University women’s tennis team.

Bartell (Wheaton, Glenbard West HS) was 14-1 at No. 3 singles and her only loss was a three-set defeat in the championship match of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament.  She also teamed with junior Kristina Sawyer (Batavia HS) for a 9-5 record and a second place CCIW finish at No. 2 doubles.
Bartell finished her career with a 50-18 record, placing her tied for sixth all-time at the school in singles victories.

In other team honors, junior Sandy Tobik (Manchester, Mo., Parkway West HS) was named the team’s “Most Improved Player” and junior Harley Culbertson (Hinsdale, Central HS) was elected as the 2006 team captain.
Tobik had a 9-6 record at No. 4 singles and was 12-4 at No. 3 doubles playing with junior Hana Mueller (Springfield, Southeast HS).

Bartel and senior Lindsey Irwin (Belleville, West HS) and freshman Allison Heim (Decatur, Mt. Zion HS) earned all-CCIW honors with Irwin named to the first team and Bartell and Heim on the second team.
Playing at No. 1 singles, Irwin was 7-8 overall and 4-2 against CCIW opponents during the regular season. Irwin had a 41-26 career mark and is No. 16 at the school in singles wins.

Heim was 12-4 playing at No. 2 singles.

Head coach Scott McCluskey, whose team placed third in the CCIW meet for the fourth straight season, awarded letters to 10 players. They are, with hometowns and high schools:

SENIORS – Debbie Bartell (Wheaton, Glenbard West HS); Lindsey Irwin (Belleville, West HS); Jane Szafraniec (Mt. Prospect, Rolling Meadows HS).
JUNIORS – Harley Culbertson (Hinsdale, Central HS); Michelle Donnelly (Metamora HS); Hana Mueller (Springfield, Southeast HS); Kristina Sawyer (Batavia HS); Sandy Tobik (Manchester, Mo., Parkway West HS).
SOPHOMORE – Sarah Rusch (Naperville, Neuqua Valley HS).
FRESHMAN – Allison Heim (Decatur, Mt. Zion HS).