December 15, 2006
CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206

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

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Sophomore Alison Heim has been chosen as the “Most Valuable Player” for the 2006 Illinois Wesleyan University women’s tennis team.

Heim (Decatur, Mt. Zion HS) was 10-5 overall and 8-4 at No. 1 singles, where she finished third in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament. Heim, who was a first team all-conference selection, also teamed with senior Kristina Sawyer (Batavia HS) for a 9-7 record and a third place CCIW finish at No. 1 doubles.

In other team honors, Sawyer was named the team’s “Most Improved Player” and junior Sarah Rusch (Naperville, Neuqua Valley HS) was elected as the 2007 team captain.
Sawyer was 8-8 in singles overall and 6-6 as IWU’s No. 3 singles player while Rusch was 9-6 overall and 6-5 at No. 4 singles. Rusch is 20th in career singles wins at IWU with a three-season record of 32-10.

Chosen to the second team of the all-CCIW squad was senior Sandy Tobik (Manchester, Mo., Parkway West HS), who was 9-7 overall and 6-6 at No. 2 singles.

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

SENIORS – Harley Culbertson (Hinsdale, Central HS); Kristina Sawyer (Batavia HS); Sandy Tobik (Manchester, Mo., Parkway West HS).

JUNIOR – Sarah Rusch (Naperville, Neuqua Valley HS).

SOPHOMORES – Katie Heaney (Shoreview, Minn., Mounds View HS); Allison Heim (Decatur, Mt. Zion HS); Colleen McShane (Roselle, Wheaton, St. Francis HS).

FRESHMAN – Cate Hunter (Oak Park, Oak Park-River Forest HS).