RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced its annual all-conference awards on Friday, and Southern Arkansas University's women's tennis team made a strong showing. The Muleriders claimed Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors, placed four players on the All-GAC teams, and had four student-athletes named to the GAC Academic Honor Roll.
Amelie Gindl was named GAC Player of the Year after an impressive season. The Austrian native, currently ranked No. 4 nationally, went undefeated in GAC singles play during the regular season. Her victories included wins over Arkansas Tech's Monica Balau (6-2, 6-4), Ouachita Baptist's Sadbaroy Kholdarova (6-4, 6-2), Harding's Alexia Zarate Valdez (6-4, 3-6, 6-4), Southeastern Oklahoma's Larissa Giraldi Correa (3-6, 6-3, 7-6), and Henderson State's Kristina Kozlova (6-4, 6-2). In doubles, she and partner Maria Fiacan posted a 4-1 record against GAC opponents. Gindl was also named to the All-GAC First Team.
Maria Fiacan, in her debut season for the Muleriders, earned GAC Newcomer of the Year honors after going undefeated in conference singles play. Fiacan secured dominant wins against top players from all five GAC opponents, including a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Arkansas Tech's Natalya Montoya, and against Ouachita Baptist's Alice Kubler (6-3, 6-1), Harding's Itza Rogel (6-2, 6-4), Southeastern Oklahoma's Milana Voloshyn (3-6, 6-2, 6-3), and Henderson State's Angela Georgieva (6-0, 6-2). In doubles play, she teamed with Gindl to go 4-1. Fiacan also earned a spot on the All-GAC First Team.
Joining Gindl and Fiacan on the First Team selections is Josie Holderbach, who also posted an unblemished singles record in GAC play. Her wins included a gritty three-set victory over Harding's Karli Roux (6-4, 5-7, 7-5). In doubles, Holderbach went 3-2 alongside Ifigeneia Kafka.
Ifigeneia Kafka was named to the All-GAC Second Team following a perfect singles campaign in conference play. She secured key wins against opponents from each GAC school, highlighted by a comeback win over Southeastern Oklahoma's Sara Gonzalez (2-6, 6-3, 6-4). In doubles, Kafka and Holderbach also finished 3-2.
Additionally, Amelie Gindl, Josie Holderbach, Roksana Kokocha, and Inna Serpukhova were named to the GAC Academic Honor Roll for their achievements in the classroom.
The Muleriders will face Ouachita Baptist at 11 a.m. on Saturday (May 3) in the semifinal round of the 2025 GAC Championship.
