The Gulf South Conference announced its women's tennis weekly award winners for the 2024 season. This week's awards were for matches between April 1-7.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ashleigh Simes, Jr., Lee
Simes had a solid week for Lee while featuring at the No. 1 position in singles and doubles. In individual action, the junior went 2-0 as she knocked off 11th-ranked Estefania Garcia from AUM (6-4, 6-1), before defeating Montevallo’s Klara Podskubkova (6-4, 6-4). In doubles play, alongside Maria Fernanda Duarte, she upset AUM ‘s 17th-ranked Garcia/Ane Ibarra (6-4) and UM’s Podskubkova/Leislotte Hartlohner. This is Simes’ first weekly award of the season.
Other nominees: Estefania Garcia (AUM); Ashleigh Simes (LEE); Emiri Takanishi (UWA); Lea von Kozierowski (UWG)
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Natalie Rankie, Fr., Valdosta State
Rainke helped Valdosta State to a 2-1 weekly record as the Blazers faced Delta State, Christian Brothers and No. 27 Mississippi College. In singles play, the rookie went 3-0 while playing at the No. 1 spot as she defeated DSU’s Marie Guillaume (6-0, 6-1), CBU’s Sofia Zemstova (6-3, WR) and MC’s Ely Alas (6-4, 6-0). In tandem action, alongside Aneta Poborilova, she played at the No. 2 position going 2-1. This is Rainke’s third award of the campaign, having previously won February 14 and March 20.
Other nominees: Valentina Mutilba (UWA)
2024 GSC Women's Tennis Weekly Awardees
Feb. 7: Leiselotte Hartlohner, Montevallo (Player); Clarie Jaramba, Montevallo (Freshman)
Feb. 14: Estefania Garcia, AUM (Player); Natalie Rainke, Valdosta State (Freshman)
Feb. 21: Khim Iglupus, West Alabama (Player); Sofia Zemtsova, Christian Brothers (Freshman)
Feb. 28: Shaira Rivera, West Alabama (Player); Sofia Zemtsova, Christian Brothers (Freshman)
Mar. 6: Guadalupe Martinez, West Florida (Player); Sofia Zemtsova, Christian Brothers (Freshman)
Mar. 13: Guadalupe Martinez, West Florida (Player); Aneta Poborilova, Valdosta State (Freshman)
Mar. 20: Ana Villalvazo, AUM (Player); Natalie Rainke, Valdosta State (Freshman)
Mar. 27: Estefania Garcia, AUM (Player); Aneta Poborilova, Valdosta State (Freshman)
Apr. 3: Aneta Poborilova, Valdosta State (Player); Aneta Poborilova, Valdosta State (Freshman)
Apr. 10: Ashleigh Simes, Lee (Player); Natalie Rainke, Valdosta State (Freshman)