CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced today (June 12) the recipients of the 2024 Division I Women’s Regional Awards, recognizing coaches and players for their excellence on the court and in their communities throughout the season.
The Cavaliers garnered five of the region’s six honors.
Hibah Shaikh was voted the ITA Atlantic Region Senior Player of the Year and the region’s Most Improved Player. Sophomore Annabelle Xu was tabbed as the region’s Player to Watch. Head coach Sara O’Leary was named the regional Coach of the Year, while associate head coach Gina Suarez-Malaguti was named the Assistant Coach of the Year.
Shaikh reached a career-best No. 18 ranking in singles this season after being ranked No. 85 in the preseason. She played exclusively in the top two positions in the Cavalier lineup, going 25-13, after playing positions 4-6 in her previous three seasons. She tallied three wins against opponents in the top 10 of the ITA singles rankings, including a top-five victory, and was voted to the All-ACC Second Team in singles and the third team in doubles. These are her first regional honors.
Xu advanced to the Round of 16 of the NCAA Singles Championship, finishing the season at a career-best No. 44 ranking in…
