Four Gophers Earn ITA Scholar-Athlete Status

SKILLMAN, N.J. — The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has announced its 2014 Scholar-Athletes, with four members from Goucher's women's tennis team recognized for their academic success during the past year.

Kirsten Cianci (Bolton, Conn./Bolton), Ryan Derham (San Anselmo, Calif./Sir Francis Drake), Alice Goldstein-Plesser (Durham, N.C./Durham School of the Arts) and Emily Ruff (Easton, Md./Easton) were each honored by the ITA. In order to earn ITA Scholar-Athlete status, a player must meet the following criteria: 1.) be a varsity letter winner, 2.) have a grade-point average of at least 3.50 for the current academic year and 3.) have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters.

Derham was recognized in each of her four seasons at Goucher, while Ruff earned the accolade for a second consecutive year. The Gophers have now had at least four athletes honored in each of the last four years.

A total of 14 women's tennis players from the Landmark Conference were named Scholar-Athletes, with representatives from Juniata and Moravian joining the four from Goucher.