July 19, 2005

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Lady Tiger tennis team was one of four C-USA women's tennis teams to be named an ITA All-Academic Team for having a team GPA of 3.20 or higher during the 2004-05 season it was announced by the ITA, Tuesday. In addition, four Lady Tigers were named ITA Scholar-Athletes for having a GPA of 3.5 or higher while competing for the team during the season.

This marks the fifth consecutive year that the women's tennis team has been recognized for having a 3.2 or higher GPA. This is also the third ITA Scholar-Athlete Award for Marlene Dirnstorfer, who was a two-time Co-SIDA Academic All-District Second Team honoree. Dirnstorfer graduated from Memphis in May with both a bachelor's and master's degree in three years of eligibility.

This also marks the third award for Andrea Feichtinger. Feichtinger, who is one of two rising seniors for the 2005-06 roster, has already completed her undergraduate degree and is working on her master's degree, and like Dirnstorfer, will leave Memphis with a pair of degrees in hand.

Rising junior Alex Tjioe is earning her first ITA Scholar-Athlete Award. A regular in both the Lady Tigers' singles and doubles line-up, Tjioe is one of a pair of juniors returning for 2005-06.

Freshman Kathrin Kohl also earned an ITA Scholar-Athlete Award following her first semester of collegiate play. The German native competed in singles and doubles for the Lady Tigers in 2004-05.

Memphis will return five letterwinners for the 2005-06 season and will open the season Sept. 23-25th at the Baras Collegiate Classic Tournament at UT-Chattanooga.