Fredericksburg, Va. – Averett University senior Heidi Sarkkinen repeated as the State College Division Player of the Year, W&L freshman Georgia Wright claimed State Rookie of the Year, and Mary Washington head coach Art Canizares gained State Coach of the Year as the 2019 Virginia Sports Information Directors announced the College Division Women's Tennis teams on Tuesday.
Sarkkinen, who also gained VaSID Player of the Year in 2018 and Rookie of the Year honors in 2016, was a four-time USA South Conference Player of the Year, only second ever to accomplish that feat. She was a four-time USA South All-Conference First Team member playing No. 1 singles and No. 1 She won the Flight B doubles title at Fall ITA Regionals, finishing 22-2 overall, and 16-1 in dual matches. She ended her career with only one loss in dual matches.
Wright was named VaSID Rookie of the Year, after playing at No. 2 singles for the Generals. Wright went 12-8 overall this season, including a 10-5 mark in dual matches and a 6-0 record against conference opponents. Wright became the fifth ODAC Rookie of the Year in program history, and it was the first time that W&L has had the Rookie of the Year in back-to-back seasons, after Valerie Marshall took home the award last year. Wright also played well in doubles in her first season in the Blue and White, going 16-8 overall, including an 8-4 mark at No. 1 doubles and a 5-1 record in the No. 2 slot
Canizares brought home State Coach of the Year honors after leading Mary Washington to the CAC Championship and NCAA Tournament second round in his first season at the helm. The Eagles finished 21-5 on the season, going undefeated against college division opponents as well as against conference foes, finishing the season ranked 16th in the nation.
First team honors in singles went to Sarkkinen, Liza Akimenko of UVA-Wise, Christina Harris of Lynchburg, Keyu Jin of Randolpf, Johanna Ranto-Aho of Christopher Newport, and Rachel Summers of Mary Washington.
First team doubles teams included Sarkkinen and Eleanor Crane of Averett, Ranta-aho and Olivia Reed of CNU, and Summers and Lauren Quinn of UMW.
Second team honors went to Landon Aud of Randolph-Macon, Reagan Coon of Lynchburg, Crane of Averett, Taylor Garcia of W&L, and Claire Coleman, Rachel Cooper, and Quinn of Mary Washington.
Second team doubles nods went to Stephanie Yeager and Morgan Fuqua of Randolph-Macon, Georgia Wright and Taylor Garcia as well as Anna Kreynin and Mary Hampton McNeal of Washington and Lee.
VaSID all-state teams are nominated by and voted on by the Virginia Sports Information Directors membership.
All-State First Team
Doubles
Heidi Sarkkinen/Eleanor Crane Averett University
Johanna Ranta-aho/Olivia Reed Christopher Newport University
Rachel Summers/Lauren Quinn University of Mary Washington
Singles
Liza Akimenko University of Virginia-Wise
Christina Harris University of Lynchburg
Keyu Jin Randolph College
Johanna Ranta-aho Christopher Newport University
Heidi Sarkkinen Averett University
Rachel Summers University of Mary Washington
All-State Second Team
Doubles
Stephanie Yeager/Morgan Fuqua Randolph-Macon College
Georgia Wright/Taylor Garcia Washington and Lee University
Anna Kreynin/Mary Hampton McNeal Washington and Lee University
Singles
Landon Aud Randolph-Macon College
Claire Coleman University of Mary Washington
Reagan Coon University of Lynchburg
Rachel Cooper University of Mary Washington
Eleanor Crane Averett University
Taylor Garcia Washington and Lee University
Lauren Quinn University of Mary Washington