July 8, 2009

Garden City, N.Y. - The National Tenpin Coaches Association has announced its 2009 Academic All-America team. Adelphi University had representation by way of nine Keglers, each of whom were honorable mentions.

The NTCA All-Academic First Team is headed by two-time National Player of the Year Josie Earnest of Vanderbilt. She was joined by teammate Michelle Peloquin, Amanda Small of New Jersey City University, Adriana Jaime of Delaware State and Valerie Calberry of Nebraska.

Among the Panthers honored were freshmen Kim Berit, Erika Drake, Danielle Merino, sophomores Jennifer Ferraro, Gina Lella, Danielle Locurto, Christina Reale, junior Dianna Molenko and senior Valerie Passaniti. The team concluded the 2008-09 season with a #15 national ranking, a 78-68 record, finished third in the NEC conference, placed three keglers on the NEC All-Academic team, two on the NEC All-Rookie team, one on the All-Tournament team and one on the All-Conference team.

A total of 97 student-athletes representing 27 institutions that sponsor NCAA women's bowling teams have been named to the NTCA 2009 All-Academic team. Student-athletes were required to achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.40 for the 2008-09 academic year. First, second and third-team distinction was accorded based upon the NTCA post-season All-America voting. The NTCA is the organization of NCAA bowling head coaches.