Generals Athletics--Washington and Lee University



		Date: May 22, 2002 Contact: Greg Murphy (540) 463-8674 Release: Upon Receipt PROKO AND HATLEY EARN ALL-AMERICA HONORS Proko Earns Honor In Singles And Doubles LEXINGTON, Va. -- Washington and Lee junior women's tennis player Erika Proko (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day) has earned All-America honors by advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Individual Championships in Sweet Briar, Va. In addition, Proko and senior Melissa Hatley (Columbia, S.C./Heathwood Hall) garnered All-America honors in doubles after advancing to the quarterfinal round at the NCAA Championships. Proko, seeded fourth in the NCAA Tournament, was defeated in the semifinals by top-ranked and defending national champion Elena Blanina of Methodist, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Blanina went on to defend her crown and win her second consecutive national title. Proko ended the tournament in a third place tie with Emory's Mary Ellen Gordon after their third place match was cancelled. Proko concludes the season with an overall record of 21-8. Proko and Hatley earned All-America honors in doubles after advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals. After defeating Rochester’s Joanna Toke and Rachel Sandler, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the round of 16, Hatley and Proko fell to Gordon and Narusha Natarajan of Emory, 7-5, 6-4, in the quarterfinals. The W&L duo finished the season with an overall record of 25-6. Hatley also concludes her career with 93 career doubles victories, second most all-time at W&L. Washington and Lee ended its season with a 22-3 overall record. The Generals advanced to the NCAA Division III Team Championships and defeated Trinity (Texas) in the third place match, 5-4, marking the ninth-straight season that W&L has finished in the top eight in Division III. -- GENERALS --
		Contact: Brian Laubscher Sports Information Director PO Drawer 928 Lexington, VA 24450 Phone: 540-463-8670