University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Darta Dalecka named to MVC Scholar-Athlete Second Team
4/25/2024 1:30:00 PM | Women's Tennis
ST. LOUIS --- UNI's Darta Dalecka has been named to the Missouri Valley Conference's (MVC) Scholar-Athlete Second Team, as announced by the league office on Thursday.
Dalecka is among 25 student-athletes from around the league to be recognized for their academic success in the classroom. The MVC Scholar-Athlete Teams are selected by a vote of the league's women's tennis sports information directors.
Thirty-seven student-athletes were nominated for the MVC's Scholar-Athlete Team. The criterion for the honor parallels that of College Sports Communicators' (CSC) standards for Academic All-America voting. Nominees must have participated in at least 75% of the regular-season matches or be projected to play in the MVC Championship, with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.00 scale). Student-athletes must have reached sophomore status in both athletic and academic standing at their institution (true freshmen, redshirt freshmen).
Dalecka, a junior from Janumarupe, Latvia, compiled a 14-17 singles record during the 2023-24 season and grabbed eight victories in doubles play. On Feb. 14, 2024, Dalecka and her double partner Lorena Cardoso were recognized as the MVC Doubles Players of the Week after recording a top-50 ITA ranked win over Northern Illinois's Erika Dimitriev and Nataly Ninova.
The daughter of Deniss Daleckis and Vineta Groza, Darta is currently majoring in communications at UNI with a 3.81 GPA. In 2023, Dalecka earned academic recognition as a member of the CSC Academic All-District Team, the MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award and Honor Roll, and was also named an ITA Scholar Athlete. She was also an ITA Scholar Athlete and MVC Honor Roll recipient in 2022.
MVC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE FIRST TEAM
- Darinka Stepan, Sr., Drake - 4.00 Athletic Training
- Agnes Gustafsson, Sr., UIC - 3.66 Sociology & Psychology
- Tamara Malazonia, Sr., UIC - 3.85 Biological Sciences
- Nevena Kolarevic, So., Illinois State - 3.87 Cybersecurity
- Silvia Pomarolli, So., Illinois State Psychology ***
- Tijana Zlatanovic, Sr., Illinois State - 3.82 Exercise Science
- Olivia Czerwonka, Gr., Valparaiso - 3.70 Nursing
- Sarah Bureau, Sr., Murray State - 3.97 Management
- Marit Kreugel, Gr., Murray State - 4.00 Business Administration
MVC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE SECOND TEAM
- Anna Belogliadova, So., Bradley - 4.00 Business Economics & MIS Business Analytics
- Alexandra Hildreth, So., Bradley - 4.00 Management & Leadership Certificate
- Ines Stephani, Sr., Drake - 3.61 International Relations
- Natalie Slezakova, Gr., Murray State - 4.00 Business Administration & Finance
- Juliette Robinson, Jr., Missouri State - 3.97 Finance
- Darta Dalecka, Jr., UNI - 3.81 Communications
- Elizabeth Sobieski, So., Valparaiso - 4.00 Biology/Chemistry
- Sydney Stone, So., Valparaiso - 3.91 Psychology
MVC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE HONORABLE MENTION
- Maria Bezmenova, Sr., Bradley - 3.55 Cyber Security & Marketing
- Amy Henning, Jr., Missouri State - 3.92 Nutrition & Dietetics
- Sandra Lukacova, Jr., Missouri State - 3.51 Marketing Management
- Mary Houston, Sr., Missouri State - 3.84 English Education
- Megan Null, So., Murray State - 3.94 Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant
- Annika Pschorr, Sr., Murray State - 3.83 Exercise Science/ Exercise Physiology
- Zara Ryan, Sr., UIC - 3.55 Biochemistry
- Mia Bertino, Sr, Valparaiso - 3.89 Education
- Moira Silva, So., Valparaiso - 3.56 Nursing
*** MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Players Mentioned
