Highlighted by a 16th-place combined finish (women and men) at the NCAA Fencing Championships, the New York University women's fencing team enjoyed great success in 2009-10.
The Violets' finish at the NCAA's was the best of all Division III squads at the competition, with University Athletic Association (UAA) rival Brandeis University coming in 25th and Vassar College finishing 23rd overall.
NYU senior Zoe Evans (37-19) and junior Amanda Rysling (51-18) garnered at-large berths for the NCAA Championships at Harvard University, but did not get chosen to compete at the event. Evans and Rysling garnered their Championship at-large berths at the NCAA Northeast Regionals with their strong performances in women's foil. Evans was the top performer for the entire Violet team, placing ninth in the weapon. Rysling, who led NYU in victories during the 2009-10 season, finished 11th in foil.
Overall, the Violets finished with a 10-15 record, marking their third consecutive season with double-digit wins. Included in their win total was victories over NCAA Division I squads from the Air Force Academy, Boston College and Wayne State University.
In addition to the Violets' NCAA competitors, other fencers contributed to the team's success during the season.
Senior Alyxandra Mattison (39 wins) and sophomore Lisa Verzino (35) did the bulk of the work in leading the sabre squad.
Senior Eliza Friar (18 wins) teamed up with junior Victoria Sheng (19) and freshman Christiana Lai (21) to help lead the epee team.
As a team, the Violets received eight UAA Athlete of the Week accolades throughout the season, including four for Rysling and two for Evans.
Top performances by NYU fencers in 2009-10 were not confined to the strip, however, as nine team members earned UAA Winter Sport All-Academic accolades. In addition, Evans, Friar, Mattison, and fellow seniors Sheila Germain and Jennifer Lee, all earned the NYU Student Athlete Academic Achievement Award.
“This was a very special year for the team and staff,” said head coach Steve Mormando. “In addition to finishing 16th in the nation, tops in Division III, we had so many of our seniors qualify for the Academic Achievement Award with a 3.5 or higher overall GPA for their careers here. That's pretty special.”
