Women's Tennis | 5/12/2026 1:42:00 PM

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced the recipients of the 2026 Division II Women's Regional Awards. Every year the ITA recognizes coaches and players for their excellence on the court and in their communities throughout the season. 

The Division II regional awards include: ITA/Dunlop 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, ITA Player to Watch, and ITA Community Service Award.

Barry's Dana Heimen was named the ITA Senior Player of the Year, while director of tennis, Avi Kigel, was named the ITA/Dunlop Coach of the Year. 

Heimen, who led the Bucs to an ITA Indoor Championship, as well as the Sunshine State Conference regular season and tournament titles, is the second Buccaneer to be named ITA Senior Player of the Year (Emma Onila, 2016). She went 11-5 at the top two singles flights, earning a top-10 ranking. In doubles, she played at all three flights, going 15-3, including 12-2 with partner Jenifer Anger.

For Kigel, it is his sixth time being named regional coach of the year (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017). He led the team to a 21-3 record, 9-0 in the SSC. The Bucs were ranked #1 most of the year and advanced to the finals of the NCAA Regional Tournament. In addition to Kigel, Dr. George Samuel was named regional coach of the year in 2005.

The national award winners will be announced in June.

ABOUT BARRYU WOMEN'S TENNIS

Barry has been one of the the top teams in NCAA Division II over the last 30+ years. The Bucs have advanced to the NCAA Tournament 31 times, including making the finals 29 times. They have won the national championship an NCAA D-II record nine times including another NCAA record six-in-a-row (2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023). The Buccaneers have had 70 ITA All-Americans players including three-time national player of the year Deniz Kahazan (2021, 2022, 2023).