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Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Co-Captains Close Spectacular Careers
May 01, 2014 | Women's Tennis
Chiricosta, Reuland each set a high standard at Bowling Green
* Be named a team co-captain;
* Be voted to the all-conference team; or
* Maintain a cumulative grade-point average of better than 3.90.
Not only have Bowling Green State University tennis seniors Nikki Chiricosta and Emily Reuland accomplished all three of those things, they also became two of the winningest players in the history of their program. Reuland and Chiricosta saw their BGSU playing careers come to a close on Friday (April 25), as the Falcons fell to Eastern Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Championships.
LINKS
FINAL 2013-14 STATISTICS | BGSU-EMU PHOTO GALLERY
FINAL 2013-14 INDIVIDUAL MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS
CAREER STATISTICS OF 2013-14 FALCONS
Even in defeat, the senior co-captains continued to lead by example. Both Chiricosta and Reuland had won their opening set in singles play, and each senior was in the midst of set number two when play was halted.
"It's just amazing what they've done and how much they've meant to the program," said head coach Penny Dean. "They came in as freshmen and they just 'got it' right away, and that's not the case with all freshmen. We threw them into the lineup right away, and they did not disappoint. Nikki and Emily have set a very high standard for future Falcons."
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| BGSU RECORD BOOK Most 40-Win Seasons, Career | ||
| 1 | Nikki Chiricosta | 4 |
| Maddy Eccleston | 4 | |
| 3 | Emily Reuland | 3 |
| Christine Chiricosta | 3 | |
| 5 | Five players with... | 2 |
In 2013-14, Reuland posted a total of 32 victories, ranking third on the team, and earned All-MAC Second-Team honors. Her total of 18 singles wins tied her for second on the Falcons, and included a 5-3 mark in MAC matches at the number-two flight.
Reuland has earned both Academic All-MAC Team and ITA Scholar Athlete honors in every year she has been eligible, winning the former award twice to date and the latter in each of her first three seasons (note: neither the 2014 Academic All-MAC Team nor the '14 ITA Scholar Athlete award winners have been announced).
Reuland, an exercise science major, currently maintains a 3.92 cumulative grade-point average at BGSU.
Chiricosta, a native of Avon Lake, Ohio, ended her career as the winningest player in BGSU history. Her school-record total of 190 career victories as a Falcon included 96 singles victories, also a program record. She finished her BG career with 94 doubles wins, good for second on that school list.
In her senior season, Chiricosta was named the MAC Player of the Year -- becoming the first-ever Falcon to win that award -- and was named to the all-conference first team as well. Additionally, she was the female recipient of the Falcon Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the BGSU Department of Athletics. BGSU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President in 2013-14, she has earned Academic All-MAC honors in each of her first two seasons of eligibility, and has been named an ITA Scholar Athlete in each of her first three seasons.
On the court, Chiricosta had a 41-23 record in her senior season, leading the Falcons in singles (19), doubles (22) and total wins. In league play, she posted a 6-2 singles mark at the top flight, and went 5-2 in doubles action.
In the classroom, Chiricosta maintains a 3.97 cumulative GPA as a communication major.
"Nikki and Emily are two of the strongest, toughest competitors around, from the first serve right up until the end of the match," said Dean. "They came to BG as strong competitors, but they've worked so hard and improved so much over the last four years.
"It's so sad so see their careers here at BGSU end, but both Nikki and Emily have great things ahead in their lives, with a lot to look forward to, and I'm so very proud of them."
Chiricosta and Reuland were two-sevenths of a 2013-14 roster that also included a pair of sophomores and a trio of freshmen. Dean feels the leadership and example provided by the co-captains will aid their teammates as they continue their careers in the Orange and Brown.
"(The seniors' leadership) has been crucial; I think, through the year, (the freshmen and sophomores) gained a greater knowledge of what these matches are all about, and how tough the competition is in the MAC, from flight number one all the way down to six.
"They still have a way to go, but they also have come a long way from their first practice until now. I think their expectations of themselves have increased, whether it's on the tennis court, in the weight room or in the classroom. I think they all understand the work ethic that is required to succeed in all of those areas, and a large portion of that understanding is due to being around Nikki and Emily day after day. The seniors certainly left their mark on this program, and we can't thank them enough."
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