2019 ITA NCAA Division I National Awards Announced

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Sophie Whittle, Gonzaga
Gonzaga senior Sophie Whittle earned the ITA Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship & Leadership and Most Improved Senior Awards. (Photo courtesy Gonzaga Athletics)

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 19) – The 2019 ITA NCAA Division I men’s and women’s national award winners were announced Sunday afternoon in conjunction with the national championships that are underway at the USTA National Campus Collegiate Center in Orlando.

The ITA sponsors the following awards: Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Player to Watch, ITA Most Improved Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, ITA Community Service Award and Rafael Osuna and Cissie Leary Sportsmanship awards.

2019 ITA Award Winners

Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year
Men:
Bid Goswami (Columbia University)
Women: Kevin Epley (University of South Carolina)

ITA Assistant Coach of the Year
Men:
Devin Bowen (TCU)
Women: Cristina Sanchez-Quintar (University of Central Florida)

Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
Men:
Isaac Perez (US Air Force Academy)
Women: Sophie Whittle (Gonzaga University)

ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award
Men:
Paul Jubb (University of South Carolina)

ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award
Women:
Emma Davis (Wake Forest University)

ITA Rookie of the Year
Men:
Andrew Fenty (University of Michigan)
Women: Maria Mateas (Duke University)

ITA Player to Watch
Men:
Oliver Crawford (University of Florida)
Women: Alexa Graham (University of North Carolina)

ITA Most Improved Senior
Men:
Jason Kros (Virginia Tech University)
Women: Sophie Whittle (Gonzaga University)

ITA Senior Player of the Year
Men: Nuno Borges (Mississippi State University)
Women: Ingrid Martins (South Carolina)

The Following are capsules on each award recipient.

Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year

Bid Goswami (Columbia University)
After announcing his plans to retire at the end of the season following 37 years leading the program, head coach Bid Goswami led the Lions to their sixth-straight Ivy League title after completing the regular season with a 17-3 overall record and unbeaten 7-0 mark in Ivy League matches. Columbia’s three losses came to top-10 ranked teams, all of which advanced the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Championship. Advancing to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships for the fourth time in five years, the Lions recorded victories over No. 11 Notre Dame and No. 9 Baylor. Columbia climbed to No. 8 in the ITA Rankings, the second-highest team ranking in program history. The Lions advanced to the round of 16 at the NCAA Championships Goswami was named 2019 Ivy League Coach of the Year, while leading senior Victor Pham to Ivy League Player of the Year honors.

Kevin Epley (University of South Carolina)
Kevin Epley, the SEC Coach of the Year, led South Carolina to its most successful season in program history. In his seventh season as head coach, the Gamecocks established several program firsts. Epley’s team won three-straight matches including a victory over top-ranked Georgia to capture the program’s first SEC Tournament title. South Carolina concluded the 23-4 and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship.

ITA Assistant Coach of the Year

Devin Bowen (TCU)
In just five seasons with the TCU men’s tennis program, assistant coach Devin Bowen has been an integral cog in helping turn around the program. He has helped lead the team post five straight top-10 rankings. TCU is currently No. 9 ranking in the ITA rankings.

Cristina Sanchez-Quintar (University of Central Florida)
Cristina Sanchez-Quintar helped lead the Knights to a 24-4 overall record, American Athletic Conference title and to the round of 16 at the NCAA Championship.

Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award

Isaac Perez (US Air Force Academy)
A four-year starter at the US Air Force Academy, Isaac Perez played at every position in the lineup, concluding his career with a 37-35 singles record and 43-39 mark in doubles play. He is a two-time recipient of the Coach Gugat “Attitude is Everything” Award. In addition to his position as team captain, Perez voluntarily took on additional responsibilities within the Cadet Wing, adding to his responsibilities in an effort to further develop as a leader. During his senior season, Perez was selected to serve on the Cadet Wing staff, the highest level in the academy’s chain of command, in the role of Public Affairs officer. In this role, he became a visible and trusted presence on campus, delivering timely and accurate information to the 4,000-cadet student body. Perez took on many other leadership roles and was selected to attend pilot training following graduation.

Sophie Whittle (Gonzaga University)
Sophie Whittle is Gonzaga’s career leader in singles (90) and doubles (79) victories, including a school-record 47 with partner Graciela Rosas. She will compete in singles and doubles at the upcoming NCAA Championships. Tabbed the West Coast Conference’s (WCC) Player of the Year, Whittle earned first-team All-WCC in both singles and doubles. Whittle climbed to No. 1 in the ITA rankings and has remained in the top 15 nationally all season while posting a 29-8 record, including a 9-3 mark against ranked opponents. A three-time WCC All-Academic Team selection and ITA Scholar-Athlete, Whittle has seized opportunities to help the local community. Her activities have included serving meals to the homeless community and encouraging literacy and higher education among elementary school students She walked in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and helped organize collections of diapers, food, warm clothing and toiletries for those in need and committed her time in numerous other volunteer activities. Whittle also has served as her team’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award

Paul Jubb (University of South Carolina)
Paul Jubb’s on-the-court accomplishments have included posting a 32-4 singles record and a 20-2 dual-match mark while playing at No. 1 singles. He has posted a 17-4 record against nationally-ranked opponents, earning him All-SEC first-team honors in 2019 and second-team accolades in 2018. He was ranked as high No. 4 nationally in 2019. Off the court, Jubb is a two-time SEC Academic Honor roll honoree and ITA Scholar-Athlete. His example of leadership and dedication on and off the court has provided a young team with leadership and an example to follow.

ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award

Emma Davis (Wake Forest University)
Ranked No. 34 nationally in singles play, Emma Davis is a two-time All-ACC selection. Her 191 combined singles and doubles victories are sixth-most in program history. In March of 2018, Davis made UTR’s list of the top 10 American women playing college tennis. During her four seasons at Wake Forest, the Demon Deacons have made the NCAA Championship each season after not having qualified since 2009.

ITA Rookie of the Year

Andrew Fenty (University of Michigan)
Andrew Fenty has posted a 27-6 overall record, including a 20-3 dual match record while playing at No. 1, No.2 and No.3. Tabbed Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Fenty posted a victory over No. 1 and previously undefeated JJ Wolf of Ohio State earlier this season.

Maria Mateas (Duke University)
Maria Mateas is the country’s highest-ranked freshman. She advanced to the finals of ITA All-American Championships and garnered first-team All-ACC.

ITA Player to Watch

Oliver Crawford (University of Florida)
Playing the No. 1 spot as a sophomore, Oliver Crawford is 22-9 overall and went 9-3 in conference play. He is 11-7 against nationally-ranked singles players, highlighted by a three-set victory over National Champion Petros Chrysochos of Wake Forest. In doubles, Crawford saw time at all three positions in the Gators lineup. He is 15-7 in dual doubles and 8-3 in league action. He was 10-2 at No. 3 doubles. He earned first-team All-SEC honors and a second consecutive NCAA singles berth.

Alexa Graham (University of North Carolina)
As a junior, Alexa Graham has recorded a 35-6 singles record while playing at the top three positions. She is currently ranked No. 7 in the ITA national rankings.

ITA Most Improved Senior

Jason Kros (Virginia Tech University)
Jason Kros posted a 13-10 record while playing primarily at the No. 1 position for the Hokies and is currently ranked No. 70 nationally in the current ITA rankings.

Sophie Whittle (Gonzaga University)
Sophie Whittle is Gonzaga’s career leader in both singles (90) and doubles (79) victories, including a school-record 47 with partner Graciela Rosas. She will compete in singles and doubles at the upcoming NCAA Championships. Tabbed the West Coast Conference’s (WCC) Player of the Year, Whittle earned first-team All-WCC accolades in both singles and doubles. Whittle climbed to No. 1 in the ITA rankings and has remained in the top 15 nationally all season while posting a 29-8 record, including a 9-3 mark against ranked opponents.

ITA Senior Player of the Year

Nuno Borges (Mississippi State University)
Borges has a 32-2 singles record (25-0 dual at No. 1 singles; 6-0 vs. region), 21-10 doubles mark (16-6 dual at No. 1, 4-2 vs. region) and is the No. 1 seed heading into the 2019 NCAA Singles Championship. He and Strahinja Rakic form the No. 3 doubles seed. Borges was named the 2019 SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player, first-team All-SEC and three-time SEC Player of the Week. He also was a 2018 ITA All-American Championships singles finalist and consolation doubles finalist.

Ingrid Martins (University of South Carolina)
Martins is a staple in the Gamecocks’ lineup, playing at No. 1 in singles and doubles. She became the highest-ranked singles and doubles player in program history, coming in at No. 4 and No. 1, respectively. So far this season, Martins has an overall record of 29-6 and is 17-2 in dual matches.

About the Intercollegiate Tennis Association
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is committed to serving college tennis and returning the leaders of tomorrow. As the governing body of college tennis, the ITA oversees men’s and women’s varsity tennis at NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior/Community College divisions. The ITA administers a comprehensive awards and rankings program for men’s and women’s varsity players, coaches and teams in all divisions, providing recognition for their accomplishments on and off the court. For more information on the ITA, visit the ITA website at www.itatennis.com, like the ITA on Facebook or follow @ITA_Tennis on Twitter and Instagram.

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