The Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced the Junior College Women National Award recipients on Friday morning during the 2020 ITA National Awards Ceremony presented by Oracle. The recipients are outstanding representatives of college tennis’s strong athletic tradition and commitment to excellence on and off the court. The ITA is proud to continue our tradition of honoring and illuminating the success of our student-athletes!

The Junior College Women’s awards include Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Player to Watch, ITA Most Improved Sophomore, and ITA Sophomore Player of the Year. The national winners were selected from the regional award winners by the Junior College National Awards Committee.

Junior College ITA National Awards Ceremony presented by Oracle

Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award

Danielle Viljoen, Jones College  

Danielle Viljoen of Jones College has led by example during her two years with the Bobcats. Viljoen served as team captain during her time with the program and amassed a 27-4 singles career record and a 24-4 doubles career record. During her time at Jones College, Viljoen served on the leadership team of the Student Government Association. She was also inducted to the Jones College Hall of Fame. Viljoen earned ITA Scholar-Athlete status during her time at Jones College.


ITA Player to Watch Award

Yu Yue, Tyler Junior College

Tyler Junior College’s Yu Yue had a phenomenal 2020 season despite it being cut short. The freshman finished No. 11 in the nation in the Oracle ITA Singles Rankings. Her doubles play was even more impressive. She earned the No. 5 spot in the Oracle ITA Doubles Rankings. The standout was honored at the end of the season for her doubles play. She was named an ITA All-American in doubles.


ITA Rookie of the Year Award

Emelie Schwarte, Tyler Junior College

Freshman Emelie Schwarte already has one national title under her belt. Alongside partner Helena Jansen, Schwarte won the ITA Cup Junior College Doubles title this past fall. The duo advanced the finals of the ITA Cup – divisional doubles champions compete to crown one overall champion. Scwhwarte recorded a 16-4 singles record and 19-4 doubles record for the 2019-20 season. She finished No. 2 in singles and No. 1 in doubles in the final Oracle ITA Rankings which earned her ITA All-American status in both singles and doubles.


ITA Most Improved Senior Award

Ali Grace Walker, East Central Community College

In her two years with East Central Community College, Ali Grace Walker has become a more complete tennis player. During her first year with the Warriors, Walker held a singles record of 10-6 and a doubles record of 11-7. Her second season with East Central got off to a strong start before it was cancelled due to the pandemic. Walker had dropped only one doubles match and two singles matches bringing her season record to 10-2 singles and 10-1 doubles.


ITA Sophomore Player of the Year Award

Tatiana Simova, ASA College Miami

Tatiana Simova is a multiple time national champion for ASA Miami. Her freshman season she secured the No. 2 singles NJCAA National Championship and the No. 1 doubles NJCAA National Championship. This past fall Simova captured the ITA Cup Junior College Women Singles title. Simova finished No. 1 in singles and No. 2 in doubles in the final Oracle ITA Rankings. She was honored as a ITA All-American in singles and doubles for her sophomore season.

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