Fredericksburg, Va. – Washington and Lee University's Brooke Donnelly was named the State College Division Player of the Year, W&L head coach Erin Ness claimed State Coach of the Year, and Christopher Newport University freshman Johanna Ranta-aho gained state Rookie of the Year as the 2017 Virginia Sports Information Directors announced the College Division Women's Tennis teams on Friday.
Donnelly, a three-time All-American, claims Player of the Year after collecting the 2017 ODAC Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year. A four-time first team All-ODAC selection, she was named the ITA Atlantic South Senior Player of the Year. She was also the recipient of the ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship award.
Ness gained Coach of the Year honors after leading Washington and Lee to the ODAC Championship with a 21-6 record. The Generals finished the year ranked 13th in the nation before advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. She gained her 100th career win this season.
Ranta-aho claimed VaSID Rookie of the Year honors after gaining ITA Atlantic South Rookie of the Year and CAC Rookie of the Year. She claimed first team All-CAC honors in singles, and second team in doubles. She finished with a 21-6 overall record in singles, and also led the team in doubles wins with 17.
All-State First Team
Doubles
Kait Brogan Taylor Diffley Mary Washington
Brooke Donnelly Tessa Hill Washington and Lee
Alexandra Drye McKinney Harwood Christopher Newport
Singles
Brooke Donnelly Washington and Lee
Johanna Ranta-aho Christopher Newport
Kait Brogan Mary Washington
Heidi Sarkkinen Averett
Taylor Diffley Mary Washington
Christina Harris Lynchburg
All-State Second Team
Doubles
Keyu Jin Aubrey Hawn Randolph
Heidi Sarkkinen Hannah Mattson Averett
Ashley Barrow Rachel Summers Mary Washington
Singles
Melissa Tomlin Randolph-Macon
Gaby Tersigni Randolph-Macon
Rachel Summers Mary Washington
McKinney Harwood Christopher Newport
Ashley Schmitz Randolph
Claire Dockrill Christopher Newport