Belmont Abbey Claims Four ITA Southeast Region Honors
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced the recipients of the 2023 Division II Men’s and Women’s Regional Awards and Belmont Abbey claimed four honors.
Alexis Burkhalter was named the ITA Southeast Region Rookie of the Year while assistant women's tennis coach Morgan Zahnd was named the ITA Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year. Additionally, both the men’s and women’s tennis programs earned the ITA's Community Service Award. It is the first time that both teams have been recognized for the award.
Burkhalter finished 16-6 overall and 7-2 in conference dual singles matches this season which also included winning her last four matches of the season. She is the first women's tennis player to earn ITA Rookie of the Year Regional honors since Kayla Vaughan did so back in 2020. Conference Carolinas also had a student-athlete earn the honor last season as Paige Wise of Francis Marion claimed the award.
Zahnd is in her third season with the Crusaders and helped Belmont Abbey to the No. 4 seed in the Conference Carolinas championship and a run to the tournament semifinals.
Every year the ITA recognizes coaches and players for their excellence on the court and in their communities throughout the season.
The Division II Playing Awards include: Wilson ITA Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Most Improved Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, and ITA Community Service Award.
The national award winners will be announced next Tuesday, June 14th. The men’s release is available here while the women’s release is
here.