Never too Young to Start
April 24, 2008 | Women's Tennis
April 24, 2008
BOSTON - As a toddler most activities are meant to momentarily entertain rather than ignite a life long passion. Since picking up tennis rackets at the age of three, current juniors and Terrier co-captains Danielle Abraham (Waukesha, Wis.) and Cori Lefkowith (Clayton, Mo.) have had that spark with them. The passion for the sport that they possess has carried them all the way into the record books of Boston University women's tennis.
"My Mom took me out on the court when I was three because she thought it was more fun than playing Barbies with me...now I play because I love the game," said Lefkowith. Abraham said she first took to the tennis courts as a "guinea pig" for her father's developing tennis camp and after playing "every sport under the sun...tennis just stuck."
For both of the Terrier co-captains tennis did more than just stick, it developed into a passion. As rookies in 2005 both earned spots on the All-America East First Team and on the All-Championship Team. Together Abraham and Lefkowith compiled a solid 15-7 record for the Terriers from the No. 3 doubles slot that year.
Labeled as a tough competitor by head coach Lesley Sheehan, Lefkowith did not slow her torrid pace as a sophomore in 2006. She was named the America East tournament's Most Valuable Player, and for the second year in a row she earned a spot on the All-America East First Team. She was the team's most prolific winner with 21 overall victories, dropping only one match and that was to nationally ranked Florida International. Abraham provided a solid presence on the court for the Terriers, posting a 13-6 overall record. She proved to be a very versatile player picking up wins in the No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6 singles slots.
Currently both have 15 overall wins on the season from singles play. From the No. 2 doubles slot the pair owns a 10-6 record for the spring season. For the week of March 18 Lefkowith earned the America East Tennis Performer of the Week after winning three straight-singles contests. During her win streak she collected straight set victories over players from #41 Florida International, Temple, and Florida Atlantic.
Not surprisingly, success on the courts was not new to either player when they slipped on their Boston University uniforms as freshman. As a freshman and sophomore in high school Lefkowith earned back-to-back Missouri state doubles championships. Throughout her high school career she consistently ranked in the top 150 tennis players in the country. Less than 400 miles away Abraham was writing her own high school record book. In each of her four seasons she earned all-state and all-conference honors and finished her senior season ranked No. 69 in the Girls 18s National Tennis rankings.
The duo has also seen action on the national stage since coming to Boston University. During their freshman campaign Lefkowith and Abraham took on Patricia Starzyk and Careen Seenauth of the University of Miami in the No. 5 and No. 6 singles slots at the NCAA Regionals. (Neither of the matches were completed.) Lefkowith and Abraham also paired up at No. 3 doubles against Seenauth and Starzyk, dropping an 8-3 decision. As a sophomore Lefkowith was matched up against #85 Dianne Matias of USC in No. 5 singles in the 2007 NCAA Regionals. Tied 4-4 in the second set, the match was called due to the team match being decided.
The successes that Lefkowith and Abraham have enjoyed at BU are not strictly tennis related. Both were earned spots on the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) All-Academic team for the 2006-2007 academic school year. Both have also earned spots on the America East Academic Honor Roll in each of their two years at Boston University.
When asked how her high school success impacted her college career Abraham responded "every time I succeed at something in life it only makes me set the bar higher for the next time around." For both co-captains, each time the bar is set higher they have never failed to come through. In each of their past two seasons Lefkowith and Abraham have been integral parts of a growing tennis dynasty, helping BU to win its 13th and 14th consecutive America East championships.
The next challenge for Abraham and Lefkowith will be to lead the BU women's tennis team in search of its 15th America East title when the tournament commences on April 25.
