Oct. 9, 2012 – Two Concordia University Chicago student-athletes are among those honored as All-Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) for women's tennis for the 2012 season.
           
Sophomore Deanna Richardson (Bellwood, IL/Walther Lutheran) was one of 13 singles player awarded all-conference. Richardson returned to the team after not playing in 2011 and recorded a 10-3 mark at first singles. She started the season 1-3 but roared back to win her last nine matches including a thrilling three-set victory over her Elmhurst College opponent, one of just two three-set matches she played this season.

The first doubles team of sophomore newcomer Abby Matayka (Arlington Heights, IL/Rolling Meadows) and Richardson were one of six tandems honored by the conference. The two won their final five doubles matches this season to finish with a 9-5 record.
           
“Deanna and Abby both worked very hard this season,” said Valerie Medina, Concordia-Chicago head women's tennis coach. “Deanna was a force to be reckoned with every time she stepped on the court. She never let down in her singles matches no matter what the score. Abby's doubles game improved steadily improved throughout the year, and she and Deanna showed a great partnership on the court. Both can be very proud of themselves – they definitely deserved this honor.”
           
The complete list of all-conference and other awards can be viewed at: http://northernac.org/sports/wten/2012-13/releases/20121008jprct0.