Deacs Receive 2025 ITA Academic Team Recognition, Four Players Named Scholar-Athletes

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest women's tennis continues to be rewarded for its work in the classroom, as the program was named a recipient of the 2025 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic Teams on Monday (July 21). Additionally, four Demon Deacons earned ITA Scholar-Athlete honors.

Nevena Carton, Sankavi Gownder, Kady Tannenbaum and Anna Zhang were all recognized as Scholar-Athletes. It was the second career nod for Gownder.

To be named an ITA Scholar-Athlete, one must meet the following requirements:

Have a grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.00 scale) for the current academic year
Be listed on the institutional eligibility form

To be named an ITA All-Academic Team, programs must meet the following requirements:

Have a team grade point average of 3.2 or above (on a 4.00 scale),
All student-athletes included should be listed on the institutional eligibility form
All varsity letter winners should be factored into the cumulative team GPA for the current academic year

Nevena Carton | Jr. | Communication

Led the team with 13 singles victories during the spring after making the jump to the No. 1 spot within the Deacs' lineup
Named ACC Player of the Week on March 11th after picking up back-to-back ranked victories over No. 22 Sara Ziodato of Virginia (6-4, 6-4) and No. 26 Ozlem Uslu of Virginia Tech (6-3, 6-2)
- Her victory over Ziodato also marked her first top-25 career victory
Earned a ranked win over Navy's Emily Tannenbaum (7-5, 6-1)
Recorded 12 doubles victories with freshman Kady Tannenbaum, with all 12 wins coming at the second doubles position
Collected two victories over ranked doubles teams during the season

Sankavi Gownder | So. | Finance

Primarily played at both No. 5 and No. 6 singles, recording 10 total solo wins
Started the season on fire, going 10-2 in the first month of the spring
One of just four Demon Deacons to notch double-digit singles victories during dual match play

Kady Tannenbaum | Fr. | Undeclared

Ended her first season of collegiate tennis with the team lead for combined wins across the fall and spring (19)
Finished the spring with 12 singles victories, which ranked second on the team
- Played primarily at third, fourth, and fifth singles across the season
- Opened the first month with a 6-3 record
Ranked second on the team with 13 doubles victories during the spring season, with all 13 wins coming alongside Carton at the second doubles position
- Earned three doubles victories in conference play, happening against Notre Dame, Louisville, and Virginia Tech
Also helped the Deacs secure the doubles point in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against Pepperdine
Went 6-1 during the fall season, including winning her flight of the Debbie Southern Fall Classic to open the Deacs' slate.
Advanced to the quarterfinals of the ITA Carolina Regional alongside junior Nevena Carton in mid-October

Anna Zhang | Gr. | General Management

Combined for a team-high 18 doubles victories, partnering with junior Whitley Pate, across the fall and spring
Led the Deacs with 16 doubles wins during the spring with Pate, including starting the season 14-0
Recorded eight singles victories through the fall and spring seasons
Went 3-2 during the fall, including a win during the ITA All-American Championships against LSU's Kenna Erickson (6-1, 6-3)
Advanced to the Round of 16 during the ITA Carolina Regionals in mid-October
Recorded five singles victories during the spring, with four coming during conference play
- Primarily played at third singles
- Picked up victories in matches against Notre Dame, Louisville, Virginia Tech, and California
Clinched the match against SMU during Wake Forest's opening match of the ACC Tournament, defeating Ellie Pittman (6-2, 3-6, 6-3)

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Wake Forest Athletics

Deacs Receive 2025 ITA Academic Team Recognition, Four Players Named Scholar-Athletes

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Players Mentioned

Nevena Carton

Sankavi Gownder

Whitley Pate

Kady Tannenbaum

Anna Zhang

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