Drew Tennis Continues to Rack Up Hardware

MADISON, N.J. (May 14, 2010)- After taking the Landmark Conference Title in both Men's and Women's Tennis the Rangers took up nine slots between the two All-Conference teams released today. Head Coach Jeff Brandes was named Landmark Coach of the Year for both teams.

First Team Singles
Michelle Gbelama (Trenton, N.J/Trenton Central) - The senior took on the opponent's top competition week after week at number one and two singles. She finished the season with eight wins with four of them coming against Landmark Conference competition. She finishes her career as a three-time All-Landmark performer.

Vivian Peng (Piscataway, N.J./Boca Raton Community) - The 2010 team's MVP battled injuries all season but still managed to go undefeated this season. Playing in six matches, all at the top position, she won six matches including three in conference.

Matt Brisotti (Mattituck, N.Y./Mattituck) - Brisotti makes his first all-conference team as a singles player anchoring number two doubles for the majority of 2010. Brisotti was a perfect 7-0 in conference play while going 8-1 from the number two position for the season. He currently is riding a team-high, seven match winning streak
Raul Smego (Ponce, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristo Rey) - The freshman was named the 2010 Team MVP for his performance this season. Smego consistently took on the opponent's top player and is 8-2 playing number one singles.

Second Team Singles
Alex Belfiore (Knowles Grove, England/TASIS) - 2010 marks the third time that Belfiore has received all-league honors for singles play. Playing the majority of matches in the the number three slot, he went unblemished in regular season conference play. He is one of three players in the young conference history to earn all-conference honors.
Sarit Ashkenazi (Kingston, Jamaica/Immaculate Conception) - Makes her first Landmark All-Conference team as a Junior after a stellar 2010 campaign. Playing mainly in the number two and three positions, she finished the season with only two losses, both coming while playing number one singles early in the year. She currently has a 10-match winning streak going into the NCAA tournament.
Hayley Downing (Cliffside Park, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) - Earning two Landmark Conference Player of the Week Awards in 2010, she might have been the Rangers' most consistent performer. Her victory at number four singles clinched Drew's first ever Landmark Conference Championship. She has a team-high 14 wins on the year and has won her last 10 matches.

First Team Doubles
Brisotti/Belfiore- The combination did not lose a single match against conference opponents in 2010. The selection marks the second time they have been recognized by the Landmark Conference as they were selected to the second team last season.

Raul Smego/Elliot Smego (Ponce, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristo Rey) The brother duo played 14 matches as the number one singles for the Rangers in 2010. They finished 5-0 in Landmark Conference play and 9-3 in the regular season.

Second Team Doubles
Ashkenazi/Downing- The pair mostly played number two doubles together and dropped only one match on the season. They have won their last seven matches and went 5-0 against Landmark Conference opponents.

Coach of the Year Jeff Brandes - The tennis program at Drew has been a force in the Landmark Conference since the inception of the league in 2008. The Men finished their third consecutive undefeated season and yet to lose a conference match. Thanks to a hard-fought recruiting effort, Brandes' led the women's team to their first Landmark playoff appearance and their first Conference Championship.