Florida collegiate tennis teams, coaches, and players were honored by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) this month, as the ITA announced its 2021 Regional Tennis Awards.
The yearly regional awards recognize players for their excellence on the court and in their communities throughout the season. Awards include: Wilson ITA Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Most Improved Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, ITA Most Improved Sophomore, ITA Sophomore Player of the Year, ITA Community Service Award, and ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award.
Below are the Florida winners, separated by division.
NCAA Division I Women (Southeast Region)
ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award: Estela Perez-Somarriba, University of Miami
ITA Rookie of the Year: Isabella Pfennig, University of Miami
ICYMI ⤵️@estelasomarriba is Miami's first Cissie Leary honoree since @MrsMeganRose in 2004.
Bella is Miami's first Rookie of the Year winner since @steph_wagner1 in 2013. pic.twitter.com/WHcx13BbXj
— Miami Hurricanes Women’s Tennis (@CanesWTennis) June 15, 2021
ITA Most Improved Senior: McCartney Kessler, University of Florida
ITA Community Service Award Honorable Mention: Florida State University
NCAA Division I Men (Southeast Region)
Wilson ITA Coach of the Year: Bryan Shelton, University of Florida
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Tanner Stump, University of Florida
ITA Rookie of the Year: Ben Shelton, University of Florida
ICYMI: The Gators racked up the ITA Southeast Regional Awards 🤩🏆https://t.co/SQIrBej2H0#GoGators pic.twitter.com/mqDxqiq30T
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) June 15, 2021
ITA Most Improved Senior: Adria Soriano Barrera, University of Miami
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Adria Soriano Barrera, University of Miami
ITA Community Service Award: University of Florida
NCAA Division II Women (South Region)
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Nanda Alves, Barry University
Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship: Marta Vicens Miquel, Saint Leo University
ITA Most Improved Senior: Daniela Obando, Nova Southeastern University
Congratulations to Danny! Obando Named @ITA_Tennis South Region Most Improved Senior
📰: https://t.co/qcfL9lYcYu#OneSharkFamily #PrepareToDominate pic.twitter.com/N77OiZwKOn
— NSU Women's Tennis (@NSU_WTennis) June 16, 2021
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Berta Bonardi, University of West Florida
ITA Community Service Award: Palm Beach Atlantic University
NCAA Division II Men (South Region)
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Fred Bonal, Barry University
Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship: Philipp Hoffmann, Palm Beach Atlantic University
ITA Most Improved Senior: Aurel Ciocanu, Saint Leo University
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ITA Senior Player of the Year: Alessandro Giuliato, Barry University
ITA Community Service Award: Palm Beach Atlantic University
NAIA Women (South Region)
ITA Most Improved Senior: Sarah Schaerer, Keiser University
Congrats to Sarah Schaerer on this accomplishment! pic.twitter.com/VqUuDsVlqG
— Keiser Men's and Women's Tennis (@KUSeahawksTEN) June 17, 2021
NJCAA Women (Region IV)
Wilson ITA Coach of the Year: Phil Girardi, St. Petersburg College
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Erin Bryce, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota
ITA Rookie of the Year: Lou De Freitas Bonet, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota
ITA Most Improved Sophomore: Tsveti Trifonova, Eastern Florida State College
ITA Community Service Award: State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota
NJCAA Men (Region IV)
ITA Sophomore Player of the Year: Tomas Reche, Eastern Florida State College
For more information on the ITA Regional Awards and for a full list of award winners, please visit www.wearecollegetennis.com.
