TEMPE, Ariz. — The Gulf South Conference garnered a handful of season accolades as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) unveiled its NCAA Division II regional and national awards for the 2026 season.
ITA NATIONAL AWARDS: Men | Women
ITA REGIONAL AWARDS: Men | Women
West Florida’s Sebastian Rondon was named the 2026 ITA Division II Men’s Senior Player of the Year. Growing into his role on the West Florida team throughout his career, Rondon has grown into being one of the top singles and doubles players in all of Division II tennis over the past two seasons. In the ITA Rankings on April 29, Rondon ranked as the No. 1 ranked singles and doubles player in the country, all the while playing for the top ranked team in the country. His success in both singles and doubles helped the Argos advance to the NCAA Semifinals after being crowned regional champions. In the fall, him and partner Diego Duran were crowned ITA Cup Doubles Champions, the highest individual honors a doubles team can achieve at the Division II level. Rondon previously won the same award for the South Region.
Colleen Roberts from Mississippi College was selected as the 2026 ITA Division II Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year. Behind a transformative year for the Choctaws, Roberts in her first year has single handedly changed the program. Recruiting Emily Buchanan to the team, who is a top five singles and doubles player in the country, Roberts and the team achieved a 27-2 record on the season and reach the NCAA semifinals. Mississippi College went unbeaten in regular season play and took down powerhouse Barry in the regional final to punch their ticket to the final site. Under her guidance, all six players in the Mississippi College lineup have been nationally ranked. With a strong knowledge of the doubles game as well, Roberts helped guide the Choctaws to wins in all but a few matches this season. She previously received the same award for the South Region.
West Florida’s Derrick Racine was named ITA/Dunlop South Region Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year. Under his direction, the Argonauts complied a 26-1 record before reaching the NCAA Division II Men’s Tennis Championship, where it bowed out in the national semifinals. West Florida stood atop the ITA DII national rankings for seven consecutive releases.