From Case Western Reserve University Athletics
Junior Madeleine Paolucci of the Case Western Reserve University women's tennis team was honored as the 2020 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division III Award winners were announced.
Paolucci was selected to receive the ITA Central Region Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award. She becomes the second Spartan to receive the honor, as former Spartan Nithya Kanagasegar earned the recognition in 2018.
The ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. This award which dates back to 1982, goes to NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO men's and women's players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
Paolucci, a 2020 ITA All-American and a three-time All-University Athletic Association honoree, was ranked ninth in the final ITA Division III poll in singles play and second in the Central Region. Playing at first singles throughout the season, she went 8-8 during the campaign, raising her career record to 43-27. Her 43 wins currently ranks 10th-best in program history.
In doubles action, Paolucci teamed with first-year Savannah Bright to post a 9-4 record together. The duo was ranked 25th in the final Division III rankings, and were the seventh-ranked doubles pairing in the Central Region.
Case Western Reserve compiled a 5-4 overall record in 2019-20, and was 25th in the last Division III team rankings, released on March 13.