Trinity's Polonich, Hernandez Earn Player, Rookie of the Year Honors

HADLEY, Mass. - Trinity College senior Lauren Polonich (Calgary, Alberta) has been named the 2008 NESCAC Women’s Squash Player of the Year, while sophomore teammate Nayelly Hernandez (San Luis Potosi, Mexio) was named the Rookie of the Year, as determined by the conference coaches. The two helped their Bantam squad capture the 2008 NESCAC Women’s Squash Championship on Feb. 3, the second NESCAC title in as many years for Trinity.

Polonich was one of three Trinity players named to the inaugural NESCAC Women’s Squash All-Conference Team. Polonich holds a 10-4 record heading into this weekend’s College Squash Association (CSA) National Team Championship. Joining Polonich on the All-NESCAC Women’s Squash Team from Trinity are junior Ashley Clackson (Victoria, British Columbia) and sophomore Tehani Guruge (Colombo, Sri Lanka). Clackson is 8-3 so far this season, while Guruge is 15-2 on the year. In her first season with the Bantams, NESCAC Rookie of the Year Hernandez has earned an 11-0 record so far.

Williams was the only other team to have three individuals earn All-Conference honors this year. Representing the Ephs on the All-NESCAC squad were sophomore Jennifer Coxe (Greenwich, Conn.), senior Ashley Eyre (Gladwyne, Pa.), and her sister, sophomore Toby Eyre (Gladwyne, Pa.). Williams finished as the runner-up to Trinity in this year’s NESCAC Women’s Squash Championship for the second year in a row.

Rounding out the 10-member 2008 NESCAC Women’s Squash All-Conference Team were Middlebury junior Sarah Hatfield (Barrington, R.I.), sophomores Samantha Smith (Locust Valley, N.Y.) of Colby and Kelly Whipple (Rye, N.Y.) of Hamilton, and Bowdoin first year Lauren Gesswein (Fairfield, Conn.).

Bowdoin head coach Tomas Fortson was the choice among the coaches, earning NESCAC Coach of the Year honors. The Polar Bears have posted an 11-10 record so far this season.