Spirrison Takes Home Pair of MIAA Awards

Spirrison Takes Home Pair of MIAA Awards

FREELAND, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has announced the 2022 edition of their women's tennis All-MIAA teams and their other end of year awards. Senior Ashley Spirrison (Fishers, Ind. / Hamilton Southeastern) has been named both to the first team and the 2022 recipient of the Karen Caine Award.

"Ashley has excelled on the court and in the classroom for the past four years, achieving both individually and as a team leader what no one before her has," said head coach Erin Kolar, "She has made a difference at Trine University and is well deserving of these honors as the perfect culmination to an amazing career!"

Spirrison makes her third straight appearance on the All-MIAA first team having been named to the 2019 and 2021 editions as well, the award was not handed out in 2020.

2022 was another great season for arguably the best women's tennis player in Trine University's history. She finished the year 18-2 in singles matches to finish her career 63-9 overall, the most wins and best winning percentage in the program's NCAA Division III history.

She finished with an 18-3 record in doubles matches this season to improve to 55-16 overall, the career record for the program as well. Her winning percentage is second in program history coming in just .007 behind doubles teammate Ellie Cole (Albion, Ind. / Central Noble). Cole finishes her career second in doubles victories, with just Spirrison ahead of her.

During MIAA play, Spirrison finished 7-1 in No. 1 singles matches and 7-1 in No. 1 doubles matches along with Cole. Spirrison's two losses during MIAA both came at the hands of the MIAA Most Valuable Player from Hope College.

In addition to her first team selection, Spirrison has been named the 2022 recipient of the Karen Caine Scholar-Athlete Award. The annual award, instituted by the MIAA in 2007, honors Karen Caine, former long-time women's tennis coach at Adrian College. Spirrison is the third Thunder student athlete to earn the award joining Holly Kimball in 2007 and Amber Crosby in 2009. She will graduate from Trine University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and a 3.9 GPA.