Tempe, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (“ITA”) is pleased to announce the 2025 ITA NAIA Women’s National Award recipients. Every year the ITA recognizes coaches and student-athletes for their excellence both on the court and in their communities throughout the season.
The NAIA national awards include: ITA Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Most Improved Player, ITA Senior Player of the Year, and the ITA Player to Watch.
Continue reading below to find out more about each of the 2025 ITA National Award winners:
ITA Coach of the Year
Samuel Murphy | Ottawa University, Arizona
Samuel Murphy from Ottawa University, Arizona has been named the 2025 ITA NAIA Women’s Coach of the Year. Taking over the OUAZ women’s program back in the fall of 2022, Murphy has had to rebuild the roster from the ground up and has been behind an incredible turnaround of the program. Bringing back the top three players from last year’s team while adding several more strong players, the OUAZ team has gone 10-5 this season and has won their past nine matches. Murphy and his team were also crowned GSAC Conference Champions this spring, earning them an automatic bid to the NAIA Women’s Tennis Championships. From not competing two years ago to a national tournament appearance this year, Murphy has shined during his time with OUAZ.
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year
Karina Ono | Savannah College of Art & Design
Karina Ono from Savannah College of Art & Design has been named the 2025 ITA NAIA Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year. Serving as the Associate Head Coach for both the men’s and women’s programs, Ono has been a key figure in the success of both programs this season including a No. 7 national team ranking in the latest ITA poll. After losing two top performers from last season, Ono has helped mesh together a relatively new group of players and has guided them to a 12-8 record on the season. Behind her efforts, SCAD has earned a top eight seed in the NAIA Women’s Tennis Championship allowing them a first-round bye as they battle for the red banner in Mobile.
ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
Jenna Mahoney | Bethel College
Jenna Mahoney from Bethel College has been named the 2025 ITA NAIA Women’s Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner. As a four-year starter for Bethel College, Mahoney has been a key piece in the growth of the Thresher program both on and off the court. As a singles specialist, Mahoney has competed at the No. 3 through No. 5 singles positions throughout her career competing against many of the top players from the KCAC. Off the court, Mahoney has been a key member of the Bethel College community. Mahoney has served as the President of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team at Bethel and is on the National Board of Student-Athletes for the NAIA. Additionally, Jenna has served on the ITA Student-Athlete Council for the past two years, serving as a voice for the entire NAIA student body.
ITA Rookie of the Year
Jian Kang | William Carey University
Jian Kang from William Carey University has been named the 2025 ITA NAIA Women’s Rookie of the Year. As a freshman, Kang has joined the William Carey team and has immediately made an impact. Named the SSAC Freshman of the Year, Kang is ranked No. 30 in the latest ITA National Singles Rankings and is a perfect 12-0 in singles play on the season. Behind her efforts, William Carey went undefeated in the regular season and earned five top ten wins. The William Carey team will be the No. 5 seed at the NAIA Women’s Tennis Championship and Kang, alongside her teammates, will look to end their season on a high note as they battle for the red banner.
ITA Most Improved Player
Line Jensen | Morningside University
Line Jensen from Morningside University has been named the 2025 ITA NAIA Women’s Most Improved Player. Dominating throughout the season, Jensen has compiled a 29-7 singles record and 26-5 record in doubles for Morningside over the fall and the spring. This past fall, Jensen was crowned the ITA Central Regional Champion in singles, qualifying her to compete in the ITA Cup. In the latest ITA Singles Rankings, Jensen ranked as the No. 13 ranked player and the No. 47 ranked doubles team with partner Brooke Marshall. Both of these are big improvements from the 2023-24 season as Jensen has continued to get better and better as the season went on. Jensen was named a team captain and helped the Morningside team achieve a 18-6 record on the season.
ITA Senior Player of the Year
Violet Apisah | Keiser University
Violet Apisah from Keiser University has been named the 2025 ITA NAIA Women’s Senior Player of the Year. As one of the top players in the nation throughout her career, Apisah has been a key figure in the success of the Keiser women’s tennis team during her time with the Seahawks. This fall, Apisah won her second ITA Cup NAIA Singles title, becoming just the 16th repeat champion in the events history. In the spring, Apisah has carried the No. 1 singles ranking throughout the entire year and was a key part in the Seahawks claiming their second ITA National Team Indoor Title earlier this spring. Apisah was named the SUN Conference Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, the first three-time winner of the award. Overall, Apisah has gone 40-3 in all competition across singles and doubles play in the 2024-25 season.
ITA Player to Watch
Victoria Vieten | William Carey University
Victoria Vieten from William Carey University has been named the 2025 ITA NAIA Women’s Player to Watch. Just a sophomore, Vieten has been one of emerging talents in all of college tennis. With a current ranking of No. 6 in singles and No. 32 in doubles, Vieten has gone 27-1 across all competition this year. Vieten was named the SSAC Player of the Year and was a First Team All-SSAC selection. William Carey were the Regular Season Champions largely in part of Vieten’s dominance from the top position. Vieten and the William Carey team will now head into the NAIA Women’s Championship as the No. 5 seeded team in the draw and will have high hopes for a deep run.
