yeaSophomore Valerie Vladea was named to the All-Big Ten women's tennis team, announced by the Big Ten office. Vladea has now received the honor two years in a row, including her first season as a frosh.

Vladea produced a team-best 14-5 overall record, including an 8-3 record at the No. 1 Singles position. Vladea also notched a 7-3 conference record, including a defeat of the Big Ten Player of the Year Marine Piriou from Northwestern. Vladea also had impressive wins against Erica Fisk of Ohio State, Asa Liden of Michigan State, twice against Kavitha Tipirneni (Michigan), and 2002 All-Big Ten selection Toni Neykova from Iowa. In her two years, Vladea has tallied 25 wins in the spring season, 12 of which came in conference action. As a frosh, Vladea went 11-11 at the No. 1 Singles, earning an All-Big Ten accolade. It was the first Gopher frosh to receive the honor since Nora Sauska in 1997.

Partnering with Michaela Havelkova (Liberec, Czech Republic/F.X. Saldy), the duo had a doubles record of 12-4 on the season, and 7-3 in Big Ten play. In two seasons, Vladea and Havelkova have 25 wins at the No. 1 Doubles spot. This season in fall and spring combined, the duo went 20-8.

2002 All-Big Ten Team Jennifer McGaffigan, Illinois Toni Neykova, Iowa Michelle DaCosta, Michigan Valerie Vladea, Minnesota Lia Jackson, Northwestern Marine Piriou, Northwestern Jessica Rush, Northwestern Monica Rincon, Ohio State Gretchen Haynor, Purdue Melissa Iqbal, Purdue Linde Mues, Wisconsin Vanessa Rauh, Wisconsin Player of the Year Marine Piriou, Northwestern Freshman of the Year Inga Radel, Indiana Sportsmanship Award Amanda Field, Indiana Coach of the Year Patti Henderson, Wisconsin