FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 27, 2006

Rhode Island College Announces
2006 Fall Sports MVPs

Providence, RI-- The Rhode Island College Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation held its annual Fall Banquet at RIC’s Donovan Dining Center on Monday, Nov. 27 to honor those student-athletes who participate in varsity fall athletics. Each sport gave out their Most Valuable Player Award.

Men’s Soccer

Junior back James Nigrelli (Ashaway, RI) was named the men’s soccer team’s MVP. He was named First Team All-Little East Conference. The co-captain played in 17 games, starting all of them. He helped anchor a defense that allowed just 1.3 goals per game, which ranked third in the conference.

He is a criminal justice major with a minor in sociology and a 2004 graduate of Chariho High School.

Women’s Soccer

Senior midfielder Caitlin Gavin (Portsmouth, RI) was named the women’s soccer team’s MVP. She was named First Team All-Little East Conference. Gavin played in 22 games, starting 21 of them. She had four goals and eight assists for 16 points. The co-captain led the team in shots (63), was tied for tops on the squad in assists and was fourth in points.

She is a physical education/health major and a 2003 graduate of Portsmouth High School.

Women’s Tennis

Freshman Julie Bannon (Narragansett, RI) was named the women’s tennis team’s MVP. She was the Little East Conference champion at number six singles and teamed with junior Kseniya Gurvich (Barrington, RI) to win the number two double flight title. She is currently 17-0 (1.000) at number six singles and 17-2 (.895) at number two doubles for 25.5 points on the season. Her 17 wins are tied for the most in school history, with the Anchorwomen set to continue the season this spring.

She is a Spanish major and a 2006 graduate of Narragansett High School.

Women’s Volleyball

Senior middle hitter Erin Miga (Cranston, RI) was named the women’s volleyball team’s MVP. She was named First Team All-Little East Conference for the third consecutive season. She played in 115 games in 31 matches with 357 kills, a .337 hitting percentage, 23 service aces, 57 digs and 138 blocks. Miga led the team in kills, hitting percentage and blocks. The co-captain led the Little East in hitting percentage and blocks and was sixth in kills. Miga is RIC’s all-time leader in career kills, hitting percentage and blocks.

She is an elementary education major with a concentration in special education and a 2003 graduate of Cranston High School East.

Men’s Cross Country

Senior Eric Lonergan (North Kingstown, RI) was named the men’s cross country team’s MVP. He placed first overall at the Little East Conference/MASCAC Alliance Men's Cross Country Championship, hosted by Keene State College on Saturday, Oct. 28, the first runner in RIC history to take home the top honor. Lonergan, who earned All-Alliance/Little East honors for the second consecutive year, placed first with a time of 26:44 among a field of 128 competitors. Lonergan finished first overall in five of the seven invitationals he competed in this fall.

He is an elementary education major with a concentration in general science and a 2003 graduate of North Kingstown High School.

Women’s Cross Country

Freshman Elizabeth Ann Glunt (Altoona, PA) was named the women’s cross country team’s MVP. She was RIC’s top finisher at the ECAC Championships, placing 185th with a time of 28:51. Glunt placed 82nd at the Little East/MASCAC Alliance Championships with a time of 26:09.

She is a nursing major and a 2006 graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School.

 (left to right): Caitlin Gavin, Julie Bannon, James Nigrelli, Erin Miga,
Elizabeth Ann Glunt, Eric Lonergan.

-end-