Contact: Greta Norville, Assistant Director of Sports Communications and Marketing, norvilleg@midwestconference.org
NEENAH, Wisconsin – Cornell College claimed two of the Midwest Conference (MWC) women’s tennis top individual honors, as Michaela Clark was named Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, while Emmie Kinder was selected as Newcomer of the Year. Zack Hasenyager of Grinnell College was named MWC Coach of the Year.
Clark finished the season with a 4-1 record against MWC opponents and a 10-4 overall mark. Michaela partnered with Mac Graves on the season to finish 10-2 in doubles. The sophomore standout earned Player of the Year honors for the second straight season while also securing spots on both the All-Conference Singles and Doubles Teams.
Kinder posted a 9-4 overall record this season, and a 5-2 record against MWC opponents. She primarily partnered with Annika Dox, and the duo finished with a 8-4 record together. She was also named to the All-Conference doubles honors.
The All-Conference Singles Team features 10 student-athletes representing Grinnell College, Cornell College, Lake Forest College, Lawrence University, and Monmouth College. Grinnell led all institutions with four selections, followed by Cornell and Lake Forest with two apiece, while Lawrence and Monmouth each had one honoree. The All-Conference Doubles Team was led by Cornell with four selections. Grinnell, Lake Forest and Luther all had two selections.
Zach Hasenyager is in his sixth year as the Pioneers head coach. He has claimed six MWC championships and made five NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. This is his third time winning MWC Coach of the Year. He led his team to an undefeated season at 8-0 overall and 7-0 in conference.
The MWC women's tennis postseason awards are nominated and selected by a vote of the league's eight head coaches. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players and teams. This is the sixth presentation of the MWC Women's Tennis Player of the Year award and the fourth time the All-Conference Singles and Doubles Teams have been selected not based on the players' finishes at the MWC Individual Tournament.
The full list of All-MWC Singles and Doubles Team honorees and major award winners can be found below.
All-Conference Singles
Laurel Buttrick, Grinnell College
Michaela Clark, Cornell College
Pari Chavan, Grinnell College
Lilli Dockal, Lake Forest College
Mac Graves, Cornell College
Margot Groundwater, Grinnell College
Clara Hills, Lawrence University
Ivana Stefanova, Monmouth College
Sofia Strupovets, Lake Forest College
Logan Tom, Grinnell College
All-Conference Doubles
Allie Christensen, Luther College
Michaela Clark, Cornell College
Lilli Dockal, Lake Forest College
Annika Dox, Cornell College
Mac Graves, Cornell College
Margot Groundwater, Grinnell College
Emmie Kinder, Cornell College
Lena Lichau, Luther College
Sofia Strupovets, Lake Forest College
Logan Tom, Grinnell College
Newcomer of the Year – Emmie Kinder, Cornell College
Player of the Year – Michaela Clark, Cornell College
Coach of the Year – Zack Hasenyager, Grinnell College