The University of Akron Athletics
Five Zips Honored at Women’s Tennis Banquet
May 09 | Women's Tennis
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AKRON, Ohio – For the second time in her collegiate career, redshirt senior captain Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) was named the team's Most Valuable Player as the Akron women's tennis team held its annual awards dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse on Wednesday evening.
The team's Most Improved Player honor was shared by sophomore Miruna Vasilescu (Ulm, Germany) and junior captain Rita Pedroso (Porto, Portugal).
Sophomore Anna Uljanov (Schweinfurt, Germany) and true freshman Enya Forgaci (Boca Raaton, Fla.) shared the Coaches' Award.
Geier, who earned the 2019 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year again, was also a first-team All-MAC selection. She finished her senior season undefeated against all MAC opponents, playing the No. 1 position. This season Geier went 29-4 in singles action and 21-1 in spring action, all at the No. 1 spot. Geier finished her collegiate career ranked No. 2 in career singles wins with 106 and combination singles/doubles wins with 177, while her 71 doubles victories rank No. 11 on the career chart.
"Sophia had an amazing season and career," said head coach Brandon Padgett. "It has been an absolute pleasure coaching her, and we will greatly miss her on court. We couldn't be more excited about having her return to our program as a graduate assistant coach next season!"
Vasilescu and Pedroso combined as the Zips' No. 1 doubles team. They finished the season at 24-8 overall, including 19-6 in spring action. In singles play, Vasilescu went 22-10 overall, including 19-5 in the spring. A first-team All-MAC honoree, she played mostly at No. 2, going 13-5, with a perfect 4-0 mark at No. 1. Pedroso went 22-11 in singles action playing mostly at No. 4-5.
"Both Miruna and Rita absolutely deserved this award," Padgett said. "The progress Miruna made on the doubles court this season was outstanding. Rita had a fantastic season on the doubles court as well, but her growth in singles for us was what stood out the most."
A second-team All-MAC pick, Uljanov finished singles action at 23-10 overall and 19-5 in the spring. She played the No. 2-3 spots. Uljanov teamed with Geier in doubles action at No. 2 where the pair went 16-7 overall.
"Anna made unbelievable strides both on and off the court for us this season, especially from a mental perspective, which is why she won this award," he said. "Anna's growth has led us to announce that she will be a team captain for next season. We are confident that she will take over this role from Sophia and do a wonderful job."
Newcomer Forgaci, who did not play in the Fall, opened her inaugural campaign with a 5-2 record in singles action. She went 2-0 at No. 4. Forgaci had four different doubles partners for a 5-9 overall mark.
"Enya was a breath a fresh air for our team this season," Padgett said. "Her non-stop energy and fun-loving personality gave our team a much-needed boost during both practices and matches. She helped lead our team by example and this was, without a doubt, the loudest, most supportive team we've had since I started coaching at Akron."
AKRON, Ohio – For the second time in her collegiate career, redshirt senior captain Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) was named the team's Most Valuable Player as the Akron women's tennis team held its annual awards dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse on Wednesday evening.
The team's Most Improved Player honor was shared by sophomore Miruna Vasilescu (Ulm, Germany) and junior captain Rita Pedroso (Porto, Portugal).
Sophomore Anna Uljanov (Schweinfurt, Germany) and true freshman Enya Forgaci (Boca Raaton, Fla.) shared the Coaches' Award.
Geier, who earned the 2019 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year again, was also a first-team All-MAC selection. She finished her senior season undefeated against all MAC opponents, playing the No. 1 position. This season Geier went 29-4 in singles action and 21-1 in spring action, all at the No. 1 spot. Geier finished her collegiate career ranked No. 2 in career singles wins with 106 and combination singles/doubles wins with 177, while her 71 doubles victories rank No. 11 on the career chart.
"Sophia had an amazing season and career," said head coach Brandon Padgett. "It has been an absolute pleasure coaching her, and we will greatly miss her on court. We couldn't be more excited about having her return to our program as a graduate assistant coach next season!"
Vasilescu and Pedroso combined as the Zips' No. 1 doubles team. They finished the season at 24-8 overall, including 19-6 in spring action. In singles play, Vasilescu went 22-10 overall, including 19-5 in the spring. A first-team All-MAC honoree, she played mostly at No. 2, going 13-5, with a perfect 4-0 mark at No. 1. Pedroso went 22-11 in singles action playing mostly at No. 4-5.
"Both Miruna and Rita absolutely deserved this award," Padgett said. "The progress Miruna made on the doubles court this season was outstanding. Rita had a fantastic season on the doubles court as well, but her growth in singles for us was what stood out the most."
A second-team All-MAC pick, Uljanov finished singles action at 23-10 overall and 19-5 in the spring. She played the No. 2-3 spots. Uljanov teamed with Geier in doubles action at No. 2 where the pair went 16-7 overall.
"Anna made unbelievable strides both on and off the court for us this season, especially from a mental perspective, which is why she won this award," he said. "Anna's growth has led us to announce that she will be a team captain for next season. We are confident that she will take over this role from Sophia and do a wonderful job."
Newcomer Forgaci, who did not play in the Fall, opened her inaugural campaign with a 5-2 record in singles action. She went 2-0 at No. 4. Forgaci had four different doubles partners for a 5-9 overall mark.
"Enya was a breath a fresh air for our team this season," Padgett said. "Her non-stop energy and fun-loving personality gave our team a much-needed boost during both practices and matches. She helped lead our team by example and this was, without a doubt, the loudest, most supportive team we've had since I started coaching at Akron."
Players Mentioned
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