Tempe, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (“ITA”) is pleased to announce the 2026 ITA Division III 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 Division III national awards include: ITA Dunlop/Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Most Improved Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, and the ITA Player to Watch.
Continue reading below to find out more about each of the 2026 ITA National Award winners:
ITA/Dunlop Coach of the Year
Bill Hehli | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Bill Hehli from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has been named the 2026 ITA Division III Women’s Coach of the Year. Behind a transformative season in which Hehli and his team finished 21-3, the Wisconsin-La Crosse team qualified for the NCAA Team Championship for the first time in 20 years this season. Winning the WIAC Conference Regular Season Championship, the Eagles went unbeaten at home this season and in conference play. In the WIAC Conference Tournament, Wisconsin-La Crosse were crowned champions and earned a first round win in the NCAA Tournament. This season the Eagles tied a school record for season wins and Hehli was named the WIAC Coach of the Year for his achievements this season as well.
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year
Erin Swaller | Washington University – St. Louis
Erin Swaller from Washington University – St. Louis has been named the 2026 ITA Division III Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year. Since joining the program in the spring of 2023, Swaller has been instrumental in the success of the WashU team that has been one of the top programs in the country these past few seasons. As quarterfinalists in 2024, national champions in 2025, and national finalists this season, Swaller has been with the team every step of the way. Going 21-4 this season, the only losses WashU suffered this season came against top five teams in the country. As a part-time assistant coach, Swaller balances her coaching responsibilities with her full-time job, but never sacrifices time with the team and her contributions have been invaluable to the team’s success.
ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
Amber Edmonds | Washington University – St. Louis
Amber Edmonds from Washington University – St. Louis has been named the 2026 ITA Division III Women’s Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner. Not only an outstanding leader on the WashU tennis team, Edmonds has also been a tremendous leader on campus and in the St. Louis community. Competing primarily at the No. 4 and No. 5 singles positions, Edmonds is a key player on one of the top teams in the country and has earned All-UAA selections throughout her career. In the classroom, Edmonds holds a 3.94 G.P.A. and has made the Dean’s List in each semester of her collegiate career. Across campus, Edmonds has served as the Vice President and Vice President of Marketing for the WashU Second Serve Club and has also spent time as the Vice President of Marketing for The Women’s Network at WashU as well.
ITA Rookie of the Year
Ananya Srinkiketh | Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
Ananya Srinkiketh from Claremont-Mudd-Scripps has been named the 2026 ITA Division III Women’s Rookie of the Year. Stepping on campus and making an immediate impact, Srinkiketh has been a revelation since joining the Athenas. Ranked No. 6 in the May 13 ITA Singles Rankings, Srinkiketh has gone 27-6 this season and did not lose a match to a Division III opponent this spring until May. Playing primarily No. 2 and No. 3 singles, Srinkiketh went on a 19 match winning streak in singles this spring and helped CMS win numerous matches throughout the season. As a strong doubles player as well, Srinkiketh has played primarily No. 1 and No. 2 doubles for the Athenas all season and went 17-11 across all doubles competition this season.
ITA Most Improved Player
Sarena Biria | University of Chicago
Sarena Biria from the University of Chicago has been named the 2026 ITA Division III Women’s Most Improved Player. As a freshman, Biria played primarily at the No. 6 singles position before moving up the No. 4 position last year for the Maroons. However, this season, Biria took another giant leap going all the way up to the No. 1 singles position for one of the top programs in Division III tennis. Starting in the fall, Biria won the ITA Regional Singles Championship, earning her spot into the ITA Cup. This spring, she has continued to emerge as a top player rising all the way up to No. 2 in the nation in singles with a 26-8 record overall across the fall and spring. At the NCAA Singles Championship, Biria reached the semifinals and earned herself All-American status for her play this season.
ITA Senior Player of the Year
Matia Cristiani | Babson College
Matia Cristiani from Babson College has been named the 2026 ITA Division III Women’s Senior Player of the Year. As one of the most dominant players in Division III Women’s Tennis across her career, Cristiani concluded her collegiate career this season by going undefeated in singles across the fall and spring, and winning the NCAA Singles Championship. As the top ranked player in the country, Cristiani is a two-time NCAA Doubles Champion on top of her singles accomplishments, and finished as the 2023 NCAA Doubles Runner-Up. Cristiani finished this season 34-0 in all singles competition winning the ITA Cup Singles Title in the fall as well.
ITA Player to Watch
Tina She | Amherst College
Tina She from Amherst College has been named the 2026 ITA Division III Women’s Player to Watch. Playing primarily No. 4 and No. 5 singles last season, She made the jump to No. 1 singles this season and has proven to be one of the top players in the whole country. Rising all the way up to No. 3 in the ITA Singles Rankings, She has gone 24-5 across all singles matches this season and has defeated numerous top ranked players along the way. She earned her place into the NCAA Singles Championship this May, and is likely to earn All-American status for her play this season.
