TEMPE, Ariz. - The Intercollegiate Tennis Association named the West Alabama women's tennis team to the 2021 Division ll All-Academic Team. The ITA also recognized Morgan Bishop, Sarah Manseri, Hardija Vidnere, Thea Yang, and Valeria Arevalo from the women's team as scholar-athletes, along with Jared Pierce from the men's team.
"The women had a great year on the court and in the classroom, and we are looking to keep it rolling this fall," UWA head tennis coach Jeff Beaman said. "The returning men have made a commitment to raising the level this year in all areas, and I expect to see great things from the men also this year."
To be named an ITA All-Academic Team, the program must have a team grade point average of 3.2 or above, all student-athletes included should be listed on the institutional eligibility form, and letter winners should be factored into the cumulative team GPA for the current academic year.
The women's tennis team had an overall GPA of 3.27 for the 2021 season. The Tigers completed the season 17-3 to clinch the Gulf South Conference regular-season championship and grabbed the GSC championship title. UWA finished its season ranked 4th in the national rankings.
To be named an ITA Scholar-Athlete, an athlete must have a GPA of at least 3.5 from the current academic year and be listed on the institutional eligibility form.
Bishop is pursuing a bachelor's degree in exercise science and has maintained a 3.7 GPA. The Muscle Shoals, Alabama native went 4-2 in doubles this season.
Manseri is pursuing a master's degree in business administration and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. This season, the Poulx, France native went 8-10 in singles play and 10-5 in doubles. She ranked 48th nationally and 13th in the region in singles and, with fellow Tiger Haina Franco, finished as the No. 6 doubles team in the South Region.
Vidnere is pursuing her bachelor's degree in integrated marketing communications and has maintained a 3.7 GPA. The Bradford, U.K. native, is a transfer from Fresno Pacific University and came to UWA in 2020. This season, Vindere went 6-1 in singles play and 11-3 in doubles.
The Hubei, China native, Yang was pursuing her bachelor's degree in business administration and maintained a GPA of 3.5. Yang went 13-3 in singles and 11-6 in doubles for the 2020-21 season.
Arevalo is pursuing her bachelor's degree in exercise science and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. The California, Columbia native, went 14-3 in singles play and 3-3 in doubles.
The Midlothian, Texas native, Pierce is pursuing his bachelor's degree in business administration and has maintained a 3.5 GPA.
Click below to see the 2021 Division II Women ITA Scholar-Athletes and All-Academic Teams.
Women's All-Academic Team List | Women's Scholar-Athletes List
Click below to see the 2021 Division II Men ITA Scholar-Athletes and All-Academic Teams.
Men's All-Academic Team List | Men's Scholar-Athletes List
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