Four Vikings Named to LEC All-Academic Team

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

SALEM, Mass. -- Women's tennis players Erin Curristin  (Dedham, Mass.), Abbie Laliberte (Gardner, Mass.), Samantha Tenney (Danvers, Mass.) and Alanna Zaldivar  (Beverly, Mass.) were recently named to the LEC Fall All-Academic Team. To qualify, a student-athlete must be at least in sophomore standing in the classroom, have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher through the previous semester, and have been at their current institution for at least one full academic year.  

Curristin spoke about what it means to her to be named to the LEC All-Academic Team. "I think it's really great that my teammates and I have achieved this! It's a really nice award because it recognizes our hard work in classes while also being a student-athlete."  

She talk about how surprised she was and her reaction as well. "I had a really positive reaction to this—I opened up Instagram one day and saw that a few of my teammates and I are posted on the SSU Vikings account recognizing our achievement. I was also pretty surprised because I didn't expect that this was something to be recognized for."  

The business administration major spoke highly regarding her three other teammates. "I absolutely love these girls. They truly make the women's tennis team everything to me, and are the reason we keep coming back for more. They help me get better within my sport while also having a great time doing it with laughs and smiles all around. I'm so proud of them." 

Curristin who started playing tennis in her sophomore year of high school expresses how difficult is to be a student-athlete and the differences between in-season and off-season. "During the course of the season, it's obviously a struggle to keep up with both aspects of being a student-athlete. Papers, project, assignments, quizzes, and exams are important, but so is making sure you're putting in the effort to get better at your sport and make it to all of the matches. It's definitely easier to do when you build a schedule around it, and make sure to not leave assignments until the last minute is what I've learned. As for off-season, I definitely miss a lot of the girls because I don't see them as much. I spend all of my time in Bertolon, so I don't get to see a lot of them in passing on an everyday basis."  

The junior spoke about earning the achievement in back-to-back years. "I believe we also won this achievement last year. This time it feels a lot more rewarding, because as time goes on in school it's harder to keep up a good GPA and your grades in general. After all the hard work I've been putting in, it's really great to see!!" 

A match that stood out to her was on "Senior Day" on October 14. "Personally, I loved playing against Plymouth State on 10/14. I was playing against this really great player, and we were extremely equal throughout the duration of the match…  I had won the first set tiebreaker, and then she won the second set. One of us had to win the tiebreaker at the end and I came through. It was just a really long and fun match to play, which made winning really important to me because our skills were so even. I love thinking back on that match."  

The Dedham native spoke highly about her coach. "Coach Chen creates a great atmosphere to learn new skills and consistently get better at tennis. Without his tips, I wouldn't be improving as much as I am. His way of coaching pushes us to be as great as we can be."  

She talks about what the word Viking means to her. "Viking means team to me. Even though there are players of many different sports and students from SSU that don't play, we are all Vikings. We're all in this together, supporting each other and the school throughout and even after our time here." 

A professional player she would like to meet in person are the Williams sisters. "Serena and Venus Williams! To me, they are the face of tennis. All of their effort and strength to continue paid off in the end, through their trials and tribulations." 

Zaldivar spoke about what it means to be on the LEC All-Academic Team. "It means a lot to me and it is a substantial honor. This was my first year being a student-athlete and this achievement recognizes all the hard work I've both put into my sport as well as my academics. Juggling both at the same time isn't an easy thing to do, so I'm very fortunate to have received this honor."  

She expressed how surprised she was. "This being my first year playing a sport, I didn't know how good of a job I was going to do of balancing out both my sport and academics. I felt very proud of myself when I received this recognition as I've put a lot of effort and time into both." 

The Beverly native talked about how proud she is of her teammates for earning this award. "I'm extremely proud of all three of them. They put in a lot of effort into our team and always gave it their all. Being such a small team, we got to know each other a lot better this year and I'm happy I got to share this experience with them."  

Zaldivar talked about how difficult is to be a student-athlete in-season compared then off-season. "I wouldn't say being a student-athlete during the season is difficult, but it also is not an easy thing to do. I think with the right motivation, determination, and drive, anyone can be a student-athlete. In the off-season when we are not playing, it's much easier as there is no strict or demanding schedule, but I also think it is important to stay motivated and continue exercising and practicing your sport." 

The media and communications major talked about what she learned in her full season playing tennis at Salem State compared to high school. "Yes, this is my first year playing tennis at the collegiate level. I learned good organization skills and the dedication it took to be an involved teammate while also juggling schoolwork. I played tennis my freshman and sophomore years of high school, but unfortunately stopped due to the pandemic. I'm glad I was able to pick it back up this past year, though, as I've made so many memories already with my team." 

She talked about what Coach Chen means to her. "Coach Chen has been an amazing leader this past year. He really brought the team together from his pep talks to words of encouragement on the court. He knows what it means to be a part of a team and he always tries to relay this onto us." 

An area of improvement she would like for the next upcoming season is her control. "I'd hope to improve my overall control. I feel like I have most of the basics down, but I'd like to work more on my backhand and my overall control of the ball. I think my serves might also need a bit of work as well."  

A professional player she would love to meet is Coco Gauff. "She is such a young and talented athlete and I think she would have amazing advice for any of us. She achieved her dreams when she was just a teenager by winning the U.S. Open. She has such a strong drive for her sport and is such an inspiration for me."  

As far for her expectations for the next upcoming season, this what she had to say. "I expect that our team gives the same energy that we have this past season for the upcoming one, if not more. As such a small team, we all know each other on a personal level, which is something that is very important. I think we should also try being more of a team outside of the court as well." 

Laliberte spoke about what does it means for her to be named to the All LEC All-Academic Team  "It means a lot to me I work really hard for my grades so it's great to be recognized for it." She also added that she wasn't surprised for the achievement "I spend all my free time in the library, but I was really happy to see it paid off."  

A game that resonated with her was on senior day when Salem State faced Plymouth State "I was injured most of the season, but I think the last match which I got to play with Sam[antha], my roommate and partner since freshman year was the most important. She is an amazing teammate, so playing with her for her last match was heartfelt." 

Laliberte started playing tennis when she was in eighth grade and talked about how difficult is to be a student-athlete. "I think it's stressful but validating. When I'm not doing schoolwork, I'm with the team. I started student teaching this year and I have two jobs, so balancing all of it was a challenge but very doable."  

The Gardner native talked about what her coach means to her. "Coach Chen has been so supportive and he is good at what he does. I've learned from him so much in the past couple of years and playing against him makes me a better player."  

The elementary education major talked about how the freshmen can learn from the upper classmen on the team. "I think staying organized is the biggest key, getting yourself involved and staying organized will get you through." She added three different things to expect for next season. "I hope that we have fun, win some matches, and work together."  

A professional player she would love to see in person is Marcus Smart, a former Boston Celtics player, who currently plays for Memphis Grizzlies.  

Tenney talked about what it means to be part of the LEC All-Academic team. "I am proud of myself for making it onto the LEC All-Academic team. I put a lot of focus on my academics, so it's rewarding to see all of my hard work pay off." 

She talked about her teammates that aslo earned this achievement. "My teammates are always killing it on the courts and in the classroom. I know how much time and energy they put into their academics, so it's an amazing feeling to see them be recognized for their dedication." 

This achievement is nothing strange for the senior as she earned this achievement every year since her freshmen year. "I have been awarded this honor every single academic year. It always reminds me to keep pushing forward in my studies and that I am on the right track for lifelong success." 

A match that resonated with her over the course of the season was when Salem State faced Castleton on Oct. 7 on the road. "This season, I enjoyed playing Castleton. We had a couple of key wins for singles there. It was also my last away match as a Viking, so it will stay with me forever."  

The Danvers native talked about how she wants people to remember her when she graduates on May. "I would like people to remember me as being a successful, positive leader. I gave this program two years of captaincy and I worked hard to change the way this program is viewed as a whole by the athletic department."  

She expressed what the word Viking means to her. "Being a Viking means that you are a team player. You support those who support you. You cheer on your team, and you stick together, no matter what happens. I am grateful to have been a Viking these last four years."  

Tenney spoke about the difference of being a student-athlete in-season vs off-season. "Organization is key, during all times of the year. When we are in-season, however, I have to pay special attention to time management. I need to balance schoolwork, work, and tennis. When we are not in-season, I can relax, but also make sure to still exercise and maintain my fitness."  

Tenney just like her teammate Zaldivar would love to meet Coco Gauff.  

She talked about who inspired her to play the game of tennis. "I was inspired by my Grandpa, who played high-level tennis when he was younger." She added what she is going to miss the most wearing the Viking Uniform. "I will miss getting to represent the school. I have a lot of school spirit. I always enjoyed making hair ribbons for the team and matching my socks to the uniform."