Barton's Torregrosa and Longwe earn ITA All-America Award

Following a final four national finish, the Barton Community College No. 1 women's tennis doubles team of Neus Torregrosa and Idah Longwe have been named to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) JUCO All-America Team for the 2017 season.

Winning the 2017 Region VI Championship, the duo had their nine match win streak snapped in the semifinal round of the NJCAA Division I National Tennis Championships this past May held at the Reffkin Tennis Center to end their season at 17-7 and a No. 4 national ranking.

The duo's run through the tournament along with Longwe reaching the quarterfinal round in her No. 4 singles match and nine opening day victories by the Lady Cougars powered Barton to a 9th place finish at the Championships.  The accomplishment was the highest for Head Coach Lyle Stickney and the Barton women's squad since matching the feat of the 2008 team led by Barton Hall of Fame inductee Sydney Bwalya.

The national tournament loss ended the Barton career of Longwe as the Lusaka, Zambia, native will look to continue her academic and athletic career at the four-year level in the United States.

Torregrosa, a freshman from Alaro, Spain, not only finished the season as the No. 11 ranked player to just miss earning national All-America honors, but also received the 2017 ITA District III "Rookie of the Year" award and the prestigious NJCAA "Jovana Vasic Spirit of Competition" Award for her fair play, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit.  

More regarding the ITA can be found at www.itatennis.com.