March 14, 2003

Siena College senior Nikki Mayer (Latham, N.Y./Shaker) has become the first Siena player, male or female, to be ranked in the top-100 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The Saints #1 is currently ranked # 99 in the NCAA Division I standings.

The Siena all-time career leader in singles wins, Mayer earned three victories, two of them over NJCAA, Division I players ranked in the top 25, on the team's recent Florida trip. Her 2002-03 record of 10-2 includes wins over the top players from St. Bonaventure, Holy Cross and the University at Albany as well as NJCCA powerhouses Hillsborough (Fla.) C. C.--currently ranked #6 in the nation and Pasco-Hernando (Fla.) C.C., currently ranked 9th.

The Shaker High School graduate who holds more than 17 Siena season and career records is regarded as the greatest tennis player, male or female, ever to attend the Loudonville, N.Y. college. Mayer hopes to end her collegiate career by leading her team to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title and the automatic NCAA bid that goes with it. Presently, the Siena women sport a 9-2 record overall and are 2-0 in the MAAC.

"Nikki is finally getting the recognition she deserves," Siena Head Coach Jeff Bloomberg said. "She has had an outstanding career and it would be nice to see her close out her career by getting to the NCAA's and being named MAAC Player of the Year."