Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

CCIW Press Release

Apr. 14, 2021 – After its historic victory over Wheaton College this week, North Central College women's tennis player Kaeli Smashey was named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Player of the Week, released by the conference on Wednesday.

Smashey went 2-0 last week while guiding the Cardinals to a 8-1 win over the Thunder, the first victory over Wheaton 20+ years, as the last North Central victory over Wheaton is unknown.

Teaming up with Nina Patience at No. 3 doubles, the duo took down Bethany Hoogerheide and Lindsey Anderson, 8-4, while Smashey proceeded to score a huge 7-5, 2-6, 10-3 victory over Emme Lindquist at the No. 1 singles position.

The Cardinals have now earned at least one CCIW Player of the Week award every season for the last six years with 10 total awards over that span.

North Central currently sits atop the CCIW standings with a perfect 4-0 record, closing out the regular season with four road matches, beginning with Elmhurst University on Thursday, Apr. 15 with matches at Brune Tennis Courts scheduled for 3 p.m.