McLean County Times

Amber Ehrlich, a sophomore from Illinois Wesleyan University, has been named to the All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Second Team for the second consecutive year. This announcement was made by the league on Tuesday, October 22. Ehrlich is the first player from Illinois Wesleyan to receive this honor in back-to-back years since 2018.

Ehrlich held the No. 1 singles position and was part of the top doubles team, achieving five wins in CCIW matches. In singles competition, she secured victories against North Park's Hanna Zethraeus, Millikin's Emily Markus, and Elmhurst's Anna Sophia Stone, ending with a 3-4 record in singles play.

In doubles matches, Ehrlich primarily partnered with fellow sophomore Olivia Bell. Together they defeated Augustana's Hannah Colbert and Colleen Larry, as well as Carthage's Sasha Manojlovic and Giovanna Mendes. Additionally, Ehrlich teamed up with freshman Katie Van Heuklon to win against Elmhurst's Chloe Webb and Anna Sophia Stone.

This achievement makes Ehrlich the first player to earn multiple all-conference honors since Lauren Neitzel was named First Team All-CCIW in two consecutive seasons from 2016-17 to 2017-18. It also marks the second women's tennis all-conference recognition for head coach Jason Van Heuklon during his three-year tenure leading the program.

Senior Kate Christian received the CCIW RESPECT award for Illinois Wesleyan for the third consecutive season.

The Titans finished seventh in the CCIW standings and qualified for the conference tournament for a second straight year. The team will now take a break before resuming play in the New Year.

The CCIW also announced other awards: Abigail Penados of North Central was named Student-Athlete of the Year; Priya Harris of North Central received First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year; Jane Nelson from Wheaton was awarded Coach of the Year.

All-CCIW First Team members include Hannah Colbert (Augustana), Xingchen Liu (Carthage), Abigail Penados (North Central), Alexandra Ristfeldt (North Park), Hanna Zethreus (North Park), and Madeline Gentry (Wheaton).

Joining Ehrlich on the All-CCIW Second Team are Natasa Pupovac (Carroll), Sasha Monojlovic (Carthage), Emily Markus (Millikin), Kensington Payne (North Central), and Lydia Adams (Wheaton).

Recipients of the CCIW RESPECT Award include Maitreyi Shrikhande (Augustana), Kate Trifilio (Carroll), Giovanna Mendes (Carthage), Mia Merrell (Elmhurst), Kate Christian (Illinois Wesleyan), Addi Ross (Millikin), Kate Herlify (North Central), Katja Carlberg (North Park), and Alexandra Wachs (Wheaton).