Frantz Named HCAC Newcomer of the Year, Four Ravens Garner All-HCAC Honors

Anderson University women's tennis freshman Ella Frantz was named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Newcomer of the Year, which was announced by the conference on Wednesday.

Four Ravens garnered all-HCAC honors. Madelyn Brown, Frantz and Megan Long each collected first-team all-HCAC recognition while Jenna Kuntz received all-HCAC Honorable Mention.

Frantz compiled a 5-1 record at No. 3 Singles and a 5-1 record at No. 1 Doubles on the conference circuit. The freshman from Gas City went 7-3 in singles overall, going 6-3 at No. 3 Singles and 1-0 at No. 4 singles. Frantz closed the year with a 9-4 overall record at No. 1 Doubles.

"As a coach, you always worry about putting a first-year student-athlete in a tough spot," Coach Matt Moore said. "Playing one doubles and three singles in our conference is not an easy task. In fact, it is a tall order that requires a brilliant mind and a crafty tennis game. From her first day on campus, Ella showed a belief in our coaching strategies and worked daily to strengthen and improve. She is certainly deserving of her All-Conference selection. She is even more deserving of the Newcomer of the Year."

Brown earned all-conference honors for the third time in her career, also receiving first-team all-HCAC honors as a sophomore and junior. The senior from Sellersburg went 4-2 at No. 2 singles and 5-1 at No. 2 Doubles on the conference circuit. Brown is currently 10-2 overall in doubles, going 2-0 in No. 1 doubles and 8-2 in No. 2 Doubles. In singles, Brown holds a 6-5 overall record, going 1-1 at No. 1 Singles and 5-4 at No. 2 Singles. Among Anderson career leaders, Brown is tied for fourth in career doubles wins (28) and ranks seventh in singles wins (26).

"In my 16 years of coaching, very few players embody the spirit of an athletic program like Maddie Brown. She too lived out the motto that hard work, commitment to growth, and a faith in God lead to the byproduct of winning in competition. Her All-Conference selection is a reminder to all of us that kindness and competitiveness can co-exist."

Long has collected first-team all-HCAC honors in each of her three years of competition. The junior from New Palestine went 5-1 in doubles in conference play, going 1-0 at No. 1 Doubles and 4-1 at No. 2 Doubles. Long also went 3-3 at No. 1 Singles in HCAC action. She was also named HCAC Athlete of the Week this year. In doubles, Long is 9-4 on the season, holding a 2-2 record at No. 1 Doubles and a 7-2 record at No. 2 Doubles. Long is currently 5-4 overall in singles, competing entirely at No. 1 Singles. Among Anderson career leaders, Long ranks sixth in singles wins (27) and sixth in doubles wins (26).

"Watching Megan evolve in her three years at Anderson is a highlight for me as a coach. She is a model for navigating the challenges of being a student-athlete. She excels in the classroom and each year progressed up our lineup to be a leader on the court. She is on track to become the winningest player in our program's history. This is not possible without determination and a commitment to our overall philosophy. She is more than deserving of her third straight All-Conference award."

Kuntz secured all-conference honors for the second time in her career after receiving first-team all-HCAC recognition as a junior. The senior from Edinburgh went 5-1 in doubles on the HCAC circuit, going 4-1 at No. 1 Doubles and 1-0 at No. 2 Doubles. Kuntz also went 5-1 at No. 4 singles in conference play. In singles, Kuntz 9-2 overall, holding records of 1-1 at No. 2 Singles, 1-0 at No. 3 Singles and 7-1 at No. 4 Singles. Kuntz is currently 8-4 overall in doubles, holding a 5-2 record at No. 1 Doubles and a 3-2 record at No. 2 Doubles. Among Anderson career leaders, Kuntz ranks second in singles wins (31) and is tied for fourth in doubles wins (28). Kuntz only trails 2022 graduate Anna Creech for the career singles wins school record by one win.

"Jenna will likely become the winningest singles player in our program's history this year. Her tenacity, senior leadership, and lighthearted humor not only served her well in tennis, it will serve her well in life. From being an award-winning van DJ, to firing up her teammates, Jenna is the heart and soul of our team. She is deserving not only of an All-Conference honorable mention, but far more!"

Second-seeded Anderson (7-3) faces off with third-seeded Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (5-2) in the HCAC semifinals on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Nicholasville, Ky. at Top Seed Tennis Club.