Akli, Hamner Named to All-SEC First Team

Columbia, S.C. – ­South Carolina ladies’s tennis senior Ayana Akli and sophomore Sarah Hamner each acquired First Crew All-SEC honors, the league introduced on Thursday. Each Gamecocks earned the excellence for the second time in as many seasons.

Akli led the crew from the No. 1 place in each singles and doubles this season and performed in all 23 of South Carolina’s twin matches. She posted a singles file of 31-8 general and earned a 16-2 file in twin play with a 9-2 mark towards SEC opponents. Akli was 22-8 this season towards opponents who have been ranked together with 20 wins within the top-100, 9 wins within the top-50, and three wins within the top-25. At one level, Akli went on a 17-match singles successful streak, starting through the Carolina Kickoff and increasing by means of the vast majority of the common season.

In doubles, Akli racked up an general file of 22-14 with an 11-7 mark in twin play. She went 7-3 in doubles towards SEC opponents and ranked as excessive as No. 32 within the nation when paired with Hamner.

Akli is at present ranked No. 12 within the ITA Singles Rankings, however climbed as much as a brand new career-high rating of No. 6 this season. She was twice named SEC Participant of the Week and clinched 4 doubles level for the crew this season in addition to clinching three matches in singles.

This marks Akli’s second look on the All-SEC First Crew in as many seasons. She earned the excellence final 12 months throughout her first season within the Garnet & Black and had beforehand been named to the All-Large Ten Crew in each 2020 and 2021, in addition to being the Large Ten Freshman of the 12 months in 2020 whereas attending Maryland.

Hamner put collectively an general singles file of 19-11 this season and recorded seven of her wins in twin play with 5 towards SEC opponents. She earned ten ranked singles wins with 4 of them within the top-25 and two within the top-10. She is at present ranked No. 21 within the ITA Singles Rankings however has been ranked as excessive as No. 6 this season.

In doubles, Hamner has a 20-9 general file and a team-leading 12-3 mark in twin play. She went 7-3 towards SEC pairs this season and ranked as excessive as No. 32 within the doubles rankings with Akli.

Hamner clinched 4 doubles factors for the crew this season and clinched the match versus Wichita State in singles. She additionally turned this system’s first Carolina Area Champion since 1988 through the fall after taking down the reigning Carolina Area Champ.

That is additionally Hamner’s second look on the All-SEC First Crew throughout her second season as a Gamecock. In 2022, Hamner was named SEC Freshman of the 12 months and made each the All-SEC First Crew and the All-Freshman Crew.

Akli, Hamner and the remainder of the ladies’s tennis crew await a bid within the NCAA Match. The choice present will air of Monday, Might 1, starting at 6:00 p.m. on NCAA.com. Followers are invited to a watch occasion with the crew on the Carolina Indoor Tennis Middle with doorways opening at 5:30 p.m.

For all the most recent South Carolina ladies’s tennis data, proceed to observe GamecocksOnline.com or the crew on social media (@GamecockWTennis).