Academics Southern Conference

Furman's Laura Gioia Earns SoCon Player of the Week, TIAA-CREF Student-Athlete of the Week

Spartanburg, S.C. -- The Southern Conference today named Furman women’s tennis player Laura Gioia as the TIAA-CREF Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week and Women's Tennis Player of the Week for the week of March 7.

 

Gioia, from Tampa, Fla., picked up two victories last week to improve to seven straight wins at the number one position for Furman.  Gioia downed UNLV’s Elena Gantcheva, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 and Lana Krasnopolsky of Boston College, 6-3, 6-2.  The sophomore also picked up a win in flight one doubles against Boston College.

 

Off the court, Gioia boasts a 3.75 GPA and is a pre-med major. 

 

Other top performers for TIAA-CREF include: Appalachian State’s Isaac Harrow (baseball), The Citadel’s Chris Swauger (baseball), Davidson’s Matt Webb (baseball), Elon’s Gustaf Asplund (men’s tennis), UNCG’s Erica Zabkar (women’s tennis), Western Carolina’s Tyler Sexton (baseball) and Wofford’s Keith Munns (baseball).

 

Gioia earned the SoCon's first women's tennis player of the week honor this week as well. She has compiled an 8-1 record to start the spring at No. 1 singles. Her only loss came to South Carolina’s Gira Schofield in three sets. Gioia has wins against five players from teams ranked in the top 60, including a win over then-72nd ranked Carol Salge. She also has wins against Alabama, Iowa, SMU and UNLV. Gioia has also posted a 6-3 doubles mark at the No. 1 position with teammate Natasa Manojlovic.

 

Other top women's tennis performers include College of Charleston’s Laura Borza, Chattanooga’s Anastasia Zhukova, Elon’s Deanna Bailey and UNCG’s Erica Zabkar.

 

 

For over 85 years, TIAA-CREF has been helping millions of people working in the academic, medical and cultural fields plan for their retirement. Our clear and long-held commitment to serve those who dedicate themselves to the benefit and enlightenment of others remains unchanged.

 

With our non-profit heritage, TIAA-CREF has long subscribed to a different set of guiding principles. Principles directly influenced by the people we serve. With over $310 billion in combined assets as of June 30, 2004, our approach to investing goes beyond sound portfolio management. We are mindful of our social responsibilities. And we stay focused on the best interests of our participants. Visit TIAA-CREF.org or call 800-842-2776.