Piedmont University Athletics

LaBollita enjoyed plenty of success on the tennis courts at Piedmont, but his athletic accomplishments were not the only reason for which he earned this honor. The 2015 valedictorian at Bethlehem Christian Academy in Monroe, Georgia excelled in the classroom at Piedmont, earning himself the highest GPA for all graduating athletic seniors in the spring of 2019, along with multiple academic all-conference honors from the USA South. LaBollita perfectly embodied the spirit of Division III with his balanced dedication to athletics, academics, and sportsmanship, the latter of which earned him two all-sportsmanship team recognitions in his four years as a Lion. 

Athletic Highlights

• 3x USA South Academic All-Conference Team (2017, 2018, 2019)
• 2x Piedmont representative on USA South All-Sportsmanship Team (2016, 2019)
• 18-8 career USA South singles record
• 9-0 USA South singles record from 2017-2018
• T-2nd on team with 12 singles wins in 2017
• 38 career singles wins (T-6th most in program history)
• 28 career doubles wins (T-10th most in program history) 
• 66 career combined wins (8th most in program history) 

Martin's honor came following not only a decorated athletic career but also a dedicated career of community involvement both at Piedmont and in his hometown of Homer, Georgia. Back home in Banks County, Martin was an academic peer mentor to high school and middle school students while also teaching many of those same students tennis rules and techniques. During his time as a student in Demorest, Martin served the campus community as a member, and later the overall leader, of Piedmont Pride, which seeks to help incoming students with their transition to college. He also served as a member of Team Piedmont, helping to provide prospective students an opportunity to learn more about Piedmont and the Demorest campus. 

Athletic Highlights

• 2x USA South Academic All-Conference selection 
• Third Team USA South All-Conference selection (2014)
• Led the program in singles wins as a sophomore (13) and junior (14)
• Helped team to 2013 USA South semifinals (team’s first season in league) 
• 5-0 debut season in 2012
• 38 career singles wins (5th most in program history) 

Steck had a decorated career as a tennis player at Piedmont, but his athletic achievements pale in comparison to his contributions he made to the campus community off the courts. The Kingsland, Georgia native put his International Studies degree to use in 2014 when he started the Piedmont chapter of the Pulsera Project, the first chapter in the state of Georgia for the non-profit organization that educates, empowers, and connects Nicaraguan youth with students in more than 500 U.S. schools through the sale of colorful, hand-woven bracelets, or “pulseras,” in Spanish. In addition to his community outreach efforts, Steck graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was a member of the foreign language NHS Phi Sigma Iota. 

Athletic Highlights

• 2014 Capitol One Academic All-American (4th recipient in school history) 
• 4x Academic All-Conference selection (2 GSAC, 2 USA South) 
• GSAC All-Conference team selection as a freshman (2011)
• Helped team to 2011 GSAC Championship
• 33 career singles wins (6th most in program history) 
• 35 career doubles wins (4th most in program history) 
• 69 career combined wins (5th most in program history)

Stanescu owns what is perhaps the most illustrious career in Piedmont tennis history after helping usher the program into the ranks of the NCAA in 2004. His time as a Lion was spent exclusively as the No. 1 singles player for head coach Shane Wood, and his leadership propelled himself and the program to numerous individual and team national rankings, conference titles, and program records. Stanescu’s athletic accomplishments are plentiful, and they are complimented by his three GSAC Academic All-Conference selections to highlight his commitment to being a model student-athlete during his time at Piedmont. Stanescu’s efforts on and off the court were rewarded with an induction into the P Club Hall of Fame in 2012. 

Athletic Highlights

• 2x ITA All-American (2004, 2005)
• 4x GSAC Player of the Year 
• Helped team to 4 straight GSAC championships 
• Finished 2004 as 13th ranked singles player in Division III
• Led program to first NCAA ranking (No. 23 in 2004)
• 17 singles wins in 2005 (2nd most in program history) 
• 16 doubles wins in 2005 (T-1st most in program history) 
• 33 combined wins in 2005 (2nd most in program history)