William Peace University alumna to be inducted into Athletics Hall of Fame

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Mary Lloyd Hodges Barbera

RALEIGH, NC (10/01/2012)(readMedia)-- William Peace University officials are proud to announce the induction of Mary Lloyd Hodges Barbera '85 into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 27.

Since graduating in 1985 with her Associate of Arts degree from Peace College, Hodges Barbera has continued her dedication to the sport of tennis and is currently the Director of Marketing, Membership and Special Events for the United States Tennis Association of North Carolina.

She has been a dedicated and talented tennis player including membership on the tennis teams of Henderson Vance High School (1979-1983), Peace College (1983-1985) and North Carolina State University (1985-1987) throughout her life.

As a young woman, she attained status as a North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Singles Champion (1981, 1982) while playing for Henderson Vance High School before being recruited by former University President Dr. S. David Frazier and coached by the late Ruth Hopkins.

As a member of the Green Giants, Hodges Barbera quickly became Coach Hopkins' number one singles player and helped the Giants maintain a winning legacy. She was named an All American Athlete by the National Junior College Athletic Association for Flight #1 Singles in 1984.

Upon graduating from Peace, she became a junior transfer at North Carolina State University where she attained a career doubles winning percentage of .737, lettering in 1986-1987. During that year, she led the Wolfpack Women's Tennis Team with 16 wins in singles action, including a 6-1 record against ACC competition.

Hodges Barbera also contributed to a 16-3 slate in doubles, including three wins in the ACC tournament. State opened the tournament with its top three singles players all winning their matches – including Mary Lloyd. In 1991, Mary Lloyd was honored with the North Carolina Junior Tennis Council Award given in honor of John Peddycord. In 1999, she was named a Mary Milam Lifetime Achievement Award winner. In 2008, she received the Marilyn Sherman Spirit Award for extraordinary spirit in growing the game of tennis in the USTA Southern Section.

As an involved and engaged alumna, Hodges Barbera remains a sports enthusiast and is an active member of the William Peace University Pacer Club, supporting both the tennis team and the athletics program. She has been a dedicated member of her Class Committee, helping raise funds through gifts made to The Loyalty Fund and as a reunion coordinator.

Founded in 1857, William Peace University is a private coeducational university located in downtown Raleigh, NC. The university's mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of William Peace University's graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit www.peace.edu.