Three from Lehigh honored by LVAIAW
Posted: 05/01/2012
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Three Mountain Hawks were recognized Tuesday at the annual LVAIAW (Lehigh Valley Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) awards luncheon at Starters Riverport. Seniors Genna Pepe (soccer) and Katherine Pierce (track & field/cross country) were recognized within their respective sports while Julie Fernandez (softball) was named the Outstanding Athlete at Lehigh.
A Team All-Patriot League and Second Team All-Region selection, Pepe scored goals against Quinnipiac and Lafayette while proving her worth in the midfield as one of the Mountain Hawks’ most dangerous playmakers. As a junior, Pepe led Lehigh to its first Patriot League Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, finishing first among Mountain Hawk defenders with seven points (one goal, five assists) while the assist total was third-best in the league.
Pierce was a three-time All-Patriot League selection in cross country (earning first team on two occasions), who placed third overall as a sophomore and second as a senior. The Alfred, Maine native is the school record holder and a 2011 All-East honoree in the 10,000 meters. So far in track, Pierce has been All-League twice in both indoor and outdoor track.
Meanwhile, Fernandez has been named a First Team All-Patriot League selection each and every year while garnering All-Region twice as well. The 2009 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and 2010 Player of the Year, Fernandez is Lehigh’s career leader in doubles. She’s currently tied for the Lehigh and Patriot League career hits record and stands10th in the nation in batting average.
All three were also recipients of Distinguished Achievement Awards at Monday’s annual convocation. Recipients are student-athletes who have displayed a high level of scholarship, significant athletic achievement at the league level and beyond and demonstrated service to the institution.