Terrier Twelve - #2: Women's Tennis Triumphs at PL Championship
August 3, 2021 | General, Women's Tennis
Returning for a 13th year, GoTerriers.com will once again count down the top 12 achievements of Boston University teams and student-athletes from the previous year. Check back each Tuesday and Friday as we reveal this year's Terrier Twelve.
Coming in at No. 2 in this year's Terrier 12 is women's tennis claiming its fifth overall Patriot League title since 2014 and putting up a fierce fight at NCAA regional host LSU.
The Terriers went 7-1 in a shortened regular season with four 7-0 sweeps and a 3-0 conference mark to grab the top seed for the Patriot League tournament. After posting a pair of 4-0 wins against Lafayette and Bucknell, BU triumphed over tourney host Navy, 4-3, with senior co-captain Lily Burchell earning the final point in a hostile environment.
Freshman Kaitlin Tan was named Tournament MVP after winning 36 of 44 games played at No. 2 singles and posting a pair of 6-0 sweeps at No. 3 doubles. She carried the momentum from her strong play to the NCAAs when she and junior doubles partner Shelly Yaloz made program history by winning BU's first-ever doubles match with a 6-1 victory over No. 12 LSU's Safiya Carrington and Maggie Cubitt.
LSU held off Burchell and senior Emily Kim in the top match, 6-4, to earn the doubles point and withstood a gritty Terrier effort in singles action as more program history was made. Both Tan and sophomore Erica Di Battista became the first-ever duo to win a set in NCAA singles play. Tan battled Carrington to a 6-3, 1-6, 1-1 stalemate and Di Battista owned a 6-4, 1-4 lead against No. 60 Paris Corley when her match was halted once the Tigers claimed the necessary three singles points.
After the season ended, head coach Lesley Sheehan was tabbed the PL Coach of the Year for the fifth time after she led the Terriers to their 18th NCAA appearance. Tan was named BU's second consecutive PL Rookie of the Year after Yaloz was recognized in 2019. Freshman Victoria Carlsten joined Tan in earning All-PL First Team honors, while Di Battista claimed Second Team accolades.
BU was just as successful in the classroom, receiving the ITA All-Academic Team award with a 3.66 cumulative GPA for the 2020-21 academic year. The Terriers had 10 players placed on the PL Academic Honor Roll for recording a 3.20+ GPA, and Kim was named the PL Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
2020-21 Terrier Twelve
Terrier Twelve - #12: Swimming & Diving Programs Post Undefeated Seasons
Terrier Twelve - #11: Men's Rowing Wins Bronze at IRAs
Terrier Twelve - #10: Golf Finishes Runner-Up at Patriot League Championship
Terrier Twelve - #9: Women's Basketball's Historic Season
Terrier Twelve - #8: Men's Ice Hockey Qualifies for NCAA Tournament
Terrier Twelve - #7: Lightweight Rowing Wins Gold and Silver at IRAs
Terrier Twelve - #6: Social Justice and Inclusion
Terrier Twelve - #5: Field Hockey Completes Undefeated Regular Season
Terrier Twelve - #4: Remarkable Terriers Together and Giving Day Success
Terrier Twelve - #3: Cross Country Teams Shine at PL Championship
The Terriers went 7-1 in a shortened regular season with four 7-0 sweeps and a 3-0 conference mark to grab the top seed for the Patriot League tournament. After posting a pair of 4-0 wins against Lafayette and Bucknell, BU triumphed over tourney host Navy, 4-3, with senior co-captain Lily Burchell earning the final point in a hostile environment.
Freshman Kaitlin Tan was named Tournament MVP after winning 36 of 44 games played at No. 2 singles and posting a pair of 6-0 sweeps at No. 3 doubles. She carried the momentum from her strong play to the NCAAs when she and junior doubles partner Shelly Yaloz made program history by winning BU's first-ever doubles match with a 6-1 victory over No. 12 LSU's Safiya Carrington and Maggie Cubitt.
LSU held off Burchell and senior Emily Kim in the top match, 6-4, to earn the doubles point and withstood a gritty Terrier effort in singles action as more program history was made. Both Tan and sophomore Erica Di Battista became the first-ever duo to win a set in NCAA singles play. Tan battled Carrington to a 6-3, 1-6, 1-1 stalemate and Di Battista owned a 6-4, 1-4 lead against No. 60 Paris Corley when her match was halted once the Tigers claimed the necessary three singles points.
After the season ended, head coach Lesley Sheehan was tabbed the PL Coach of the Year for the fifth time after she led the Terriers to their 18th NCAA appearance. Tan was named BU's second consecutive PL Rookie of the Year after Yaloz was recognized in 2019. Freshman Victoria Carlsten joined Tan in earning All-PL First Team honors, while Di Battista claimed Second Team accolades.
BU was just as successful in the classroom, receiving the ITA All-Academic Team award with a 3.66 cumulative GPA for the 2020-21 academic year. The Terriers had 10 players placed on the PL Academic Honor Roll for recording a 3.20+ GPA, and Kim was named the PL Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
2020-21 Terrier Twelve
Terrier Twelve - #12: Swimming & Diving Programs Post Undefeated Seasons
Terrier Twelve - #11: Men's Rowing Wins Bronze at IRAs
Terrier Twelve - #10: Golf Finishes Runner-Up at Patriot League Championship
Terrier Twelve - #9: Women's Basketball's Historic Season
Terrier Twelve - #8: Men's Ice Hockey Qualifies for NCAA Tournament
Terrier Twelve - #7: Lightweight Rowing Wins Gold and Silver at IRAs
Terrier Twelve - #6: Social Justice and Inclusion
Terrier Twelve - #5: Field Hockey Completes Undefeated Regular Season
Terrier Twelve - #4: Remarkable Terriers Together and Giving Day Success
Terrier Twelve - #3: Cross Country Teams Shine at PL Championship
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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