Tempe, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is pleased to announce today the 2025 ITA Junior College Women’s National Award winners. Honoring both coaches and players, the following awards honor success both on the court and as leaders in local communities.
Continue reading below to find out more about each of the 2025 ITA National Award winners:
ITA Coach of the Year
Kouri Allen | Coastal Alabama Community College – South
Kouri Allen from Coastal Alabama Community College – South has been named the 2025 ITA Junior College Women’s Coach of the Year. Now in his fourth season leading the Yotes, Allen has continued his year-over-year growth as a program leading the women’s teams to a Top 20 NJCAA National Team Ranking for the entire spring season. Currently ranked No. 17 in the country, Coastal Alabama – South finished 7-2 in Alabama Community College Conference play. Allen helped coach Maasiai Sales to a First Team All-ACCC selection, while Julianne Legg and Anna Hill each received Second Team All-ACCC selections this year as well. At the ACCC Tournament, Allen was named the 2025 ACCC Women’s Coach of the Year as the Yotes finished as runners-up in the conference tournament. Outside of his on court success, Allen takes part in several ITA committees and is the President of the NJCAA Tennis Coaches Association.
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year
Chris Nyholm | Hillsborough Community College
Chris Nyholm from Hillsborough Community College has been named the 2025 ITA Junior College Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year. Serving as an assistant coach for the women’s team since 2019, Nyholm has been an integral part of Hillsborough’s success over the past few years helping in many areas on a daily basis. Working full-time as the HCC Tennis Center manager, Nyholm frequently goes above and beyond what is asked of him as an assistant helping with recruiting, social media, individual work with the team, and scouting reports, on top of all of his other required duties as an assistant. This season, Hillsborough has gone 10-2 overall and enters the NJCAA Women’s Championship as one of the favorites to win. Hillsborough has ranked No. 1 in every ITA NJCAA Women’s Team Ranking this spring and will be looking to win their second NJCAA National Championship in the past three years later this week in Tyler.
ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
Mya Schaffer | Coastal Alabama Community College – South
Mya Schaffer from Coastal Alabama Community College – South has been named the 2025 ITA Junior College Women’s Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner. As a sophomore, Schaffer has helped her team place second in the region in back-to-back seasons and was an integral part of the Yotes achieving their highest finish at national in 2024. Serving as a leader on the team, Schaffer works hard every day at practice, sets a good example for others by always being timely, and supports her teammates when they need it the most. Off the court, these same leadership qualities shine through at study hall and in the classroom where she mentors freshman teammates. Schaffer currently has a 3.5 GPA and is applying to nursing school this fall. In the community, Schaffer spends time volunteering with Dream Court, an adaptive tennis program, assisting at her local veterans home, and performing her civic duty by helping with local elections.
ITA Rookie of the Year
Sydney Stark | Hillsborough Community College
Sydney Stark from Hillsborough Community College has been named the 2025 ITA Junior College Women’s Rookie of the Year. Stepping into one of the nation’s top programs and excelling immediately, Stark has been an integral part of Hillsborough’s success during the 2024-25 season. In the fall, Stark was crowned the ITA Regional Champion in both singles and doubles, qualifying her to compete at the ITA Cup. At the ITA Cup, Stark finished 4th place in singles play in what was a national championship against the nation’s best players. This spring, Stark has only lost one set in all Junior College matches. In the FCSAA Championships she was the champion at the No. 2 singles line and the No. 1 doubles line. Stark is currently ranked No. 1 in the ITA NJCAA National Doubles Rankings and No. 4 in the ITA NJCAAA National Singles Rankings.
ITA Most Improved Sophomore
Amelia Devlin | Tyler Junior College
Amelia Devlin from Tyler Junior College has been named the 2025 ITA Most Improved Sophomore. After finishing 43rd in the Nation last year in the NJCAA rankings, Devlin has moved up into the top 10 of the NJCAA Singles Rankings this spring. Devlin was a semifinalist in the ITA Regional Tournament in the fall and finished No. 1 in the nation in doubles with her partner, Candy Wai. This semester, Devlin has proven herself a worthy competitor, with several big wins against UTSA, MSU, Cowley, and Weatherford. Not only has she shown growth on the court, but Amelia has faced personal loss and exemplified toughness in the face of it all. Devlin returned to TJC this spring with a purpose and will to finish strong with her teammates and herself. Off the court, she has always displayed a light-hearted, energetic, and fun spirit.
ITA Sophomore Player of the Year
Yee Ching “Candy” Wai | Tyler Junior College
Yee Ching “Candy” Wai from Tyler Junior College has been named the 2025 ITA Sophomore Player of the Year. Currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in singles and No. 4 in the nation in doubles, Wai started her 2024-25 season on a strong note by winning the 2024 ITA Cup Singles Title this past fall. After a strong freshman campaign in which she was a First Team All-American in doubles and a Second Team All-American in doubles, Wai has battled through injuries as a sophomore but has still shined every step of the way. Wai has had notable wins this year against UCO, ULM, UTRGV and Cowley, as well as some close matches against tough NCAA schools. Wai fights for herself and for her team and has always been passionate about creating and exemplifying a loud and proud team environment. As a leader, she promotes team spirit and pride in representing the Apache name when she walks on court to compete. Wai has worked hard off and on the court to achieve her success and continues to put in the work to finish what she has started at Tyler before moving on to her next school.
