ABAC sophomore Monika Lalewicz fell short in her attempt to win her second straight national championship May 7 when she lost to Hillsborough (Fla.) Community College's Jillian O'Neal 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the national title match at #1 singles in the NJCAA national tournament in Tucson, Ariz.

   Lalewicz, a native of Mississaugh, Canada, won the title at #1 singles last year.  On April 25, she was named the MVP of the NJCAA Region XVII tournament at the Red Hill Tennis Center when Coach Alan Kramer’s team won its 16^th consecutive championship.

   On May 3, Lalewicz won her second consecutive NJCAA Player of the Year award at the national tournament.

   “Attending ABAC has been an eventful two years,” Lalewicz said.  “The best thing about ABAC has been the people.  Tifton is the friendliest place I have ever been, and the hospitality has been phenomenal!”  Lalewicz is a business major who has already accepted a scholarship to play tennis at Penn State University when her ABAC career comes to an end.

   “It was a big culture shock when I first arrived at ABAC but I have met great friends that I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life,” Lalewicz said.  “I believe everyone should ‘live life to the fullest.’  My two years here have been the best.”