The College Sports Communicators announced its women’s tennis 2026 Academic All-America Team selections, which included two Gulf South Conference student-athletes.

Headlining the NCAA Division II squad was Mississippi College’s Emily Buchanan, as she was named the division’s Academic All-America Team Member of the Year in addition to garnering CSC First Team Academic All-America honors. She was joined by West Florida’s Carlota Verdu who was a Third Team nod. 

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

With the announcement, Buchanan becomes the sixth GSC student-athlete to be named an Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for their specific sport, and the first since 2018. She is also the conference’s first honoree in the sport of tennis—men’s or women’s—and the first student-athlete from Mississippi College to be recognized. 

Buchanan, a junior from Jackson, Miss., posted a 4.0 GPA, majoring in Psychology.  She was a First Team All-GSC selection, leading Mississippi College to a historic run to the NCAA National Semifinals. Buchanan completed an All-America season with a 22-4 mark at the No. 1 position for the Choctaws and ranked No. 4 in both doubles and singles from the ITA. She went 20-6 with Ann Cabot Stockett, with five victories over ranked opponents.

Previous Academic All-America Team Member of the Year
Tilman Schober, Spring Hill (Men’s Soccer / 2018)
Douglas Hargett, North Alabama (Baseball / 2001 & 2002)
Kristy Holbrooks, North Alabama (Softball / 1993)
Chris Hatcher, Valdosta State (Football / 1993 & 1994)
Mary Kate Long, Tennessee-Martin (Women’s Basketball / 1989)