June 16, 2006

ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst College women's water polo team finished second in the nation in grade point average and placed five players on the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-Academic team.

Kallen Dearnbarger, Christine Somera, Christie Haibach, Renee Sander and Tessa DiLoreto were all named to the All-Academic squad.

To qualify, student-athletes must have a GPA of at least 3.20 or better. There are also three merit levels. Student-athletes with a GPA higher than 3.70 are of the Outstanding merit level. Maintaining a 3.41-3.70 earns Superior level, while 3.20-3.40 falls under the Excellent merit level.

Dearnbarger was the lone Laker qualifying for the Outstanding level. She also finished in the top 10 in the country in GPA at 3.87. An English education major, Dearnbarger appeared in all 23 matches, scoring twice and handing out six assists. She also had seven steals during her freshman campaign.

Somera was third on the team in goals with 33, assists with 38, points with 71 and steals with 36. A sophomore from Gresham, Oregon, she majors in social work. She earned Superior status and started all 23 matches.

Haibach also earned Superior level. The sophomore elementary education/special education major started all 23 matches and scored 16 goals to go with eight assists and 17 steals.

Sander played in all 23 matches, with 22 starts, and had six goals, eight assists and 11 steals. A native of Canton, Ohio, she is majoring in mathematics and earned Superior Level.

DiLoreto, a senior, earned Excellent merit level. She started all 23 matches and finished with 22 goals, 16 assists and 33 steals.

Mercyhurst, under head coach Curtis Robinette, set the school record for wins, going 15-8-1 and finishing in the top 10 of the Collegiate Water Polo Association for the first time.