Conners and Branch Earn CCC Honors

Sept. 16, 2004

Beverly, MA--Rookie Stephanie Branch and Sophomore Carli Conners are off to a strong start in the 2004 tennis season. As a result, Branch was named Co-Rookie of the Week and Conners earned Co-Player of the Week for their impressive play on the tennis court.

Branch (Boothbay Harbor, ME) picked up three victories in singles and two wins in doubles, posting a notable overall record of 5-1. She helped lead the EC Gulls to a 2-1 week.

"Stephanie is a very steady player," Head Coach Gale Bacon said. "She is continually improving her game."

Carli Conners (Medina, OH) has stepped up her tennis game this season. In the 2003 season, Carli played 6th singles, but in the 2004 season, she is playing second singles. As a result of her outstanding performance on the tennis court, Carli was nominated Co-Player of the Week.

She is currently 2-1 in singles, after the first week of tennis play. She backed up her singles play by teaming with her partner to go 2-1 in doubles, as the Gulls went 2-1 this past week.

"During preseason, Carli showed that she can play with top players," Head Coach Gale Bacon said. "She had a strong showing in the challenge rounds, and earned her 2nd singles spot."

This Saturday, the Gulls host Salve Regina, the 2003 CCC Champions, at 1PM.