SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's and women's tennis teams are celebrating their graduating seniors today, with head coach Jeff Kutac recognizing the his five women and four men who wrapped up their careers in 2020.
Over the course of their careers, Austin College women's team seniors Diana Carvajalino, Melody Duong, Georgia Moore, Katie Seibert, and Anna Sergiovanni have led the 'Roos to third place finishes at the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships in each year they've been members of the program, while PJ Cabato, Travis Fortune, Siddharth Kortikere, and Safe Rahman have done the same on the men's side. Both programs have seen individuals and doubles pairings earn regional rankings and All-Conference awards, while Duong was named the SCAC Newcomer of the Year at the end of her freshman campaign.
"Coming to Austin College has been the best decision I have ever made," said Duong, a native of League City. "Being a student-athlete has given me the opportunity to make lifelong friends as well as teach me the values of diligence, teamwork, and time management, which I will carry with me into my future."
Carvajalino came to Sherman from Seton Hill University, and played her high school tennis in Hurst. The Venezuela native picked up two singles wins this season, in addition to picking up three more wins in doubles action. Duong had likewise gotten out to a strong start this year, with a pair of wins in singles play while teaming with Sergiovanni and Carvajalino for four doubles victories.
"Austin College has given me not only friends but a family that will always have my back," said Carvajalino. "The tennis team has become my second family on and off the court. This experience has been life-changing and filled with life long memories."
Sergiovanni, a native of Richardson, was 4-1 in singles action this season, adding three more wins in doubles play. Seibert and Moore teamed up to go 4-2 in doubles action, with Moore also boasting a 5-1 record in singles play while Seibert earned three singles victories.
"Being a collegiate student-athlete was one of the best choices I ever made," said Sergiovanni. "I made the best friends and memories competing on the tennis court and learning in the classroom. I believe both my experiences as a student and an athlete have fully prepared me for success as I graduate and begin my career."
Each of the members of the graduating senior class spoke of the bonds formed over the years as members of the Austin College tennis program, as well as the opportunities presented by becoming and Austin College student-athlete.
"Playing tennis has been the most invaluable experience I have had in my four years at college," said Seibert, a native of Medina and the vice president of the Austin College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. "I have learned to be a better communicator, leader, and friend while playing for Austin College. The friendships and lessons I've had on the team will last a lifetime."
Moore, who came to Sherman from Dallas, also reflected on both the success she and her teammates found on the tennis court in addition to the camaraderie of competing together over the last few seasons.
"My student-athlete experience has been unforgettable," said Moore. "I have made lifelong friendships that feel like family, grown mentally and physically, and learned so much about the importance of hard work and community."
Like Duong, Rahman came to Austin College from League City and led the 'Roo men's tennis team both on the court and in the community, earning a spot on the SCAC All-Sportsmanship Team as well as being recognized with several academic honors over the course of his career.
"Austin College allowed me to be a part-time athlete and a full-time student," said Rahman. "I was able to represent my institution and be apart of an amazing team in the process."
Pearland native PJ Cabato boasted a 3-1 singles record this year, and also earned two more wins in doubles play while teaming with Kortikere, a native of Longview. Fortune, who came to Sherman from El Paso, noted that being a member of the Austin College tennis program brought with it something more meaningful than playing and competing against the strong competition in the SCAC.
"When I think about my experience as a student-athlete at AC in the future, I won't think about the tennis as much as the lifelong relationships I made along the way," said Fortune. Cabato likewise reflected on the friendships formed while a member of the 'Roo tennis program, while also highlighting some of the more meaningful on-court achievements he and his teammates were able to accomplish.
"My time playing as an Austin College athlete has been memorable," said Cabato. "I will forever remember earning a big victory in doubles play at the SCAC Tournament. It will be embedded in my memories."
Kortikere earned both regional rankings and All-Conference accolades during his time in Sherman, and this season picked up a pair of doubles wins as well as a singles victory.
"It was truly a pleasure to be a part of a close-knit family for four years," he said. "The tennis team changed my college experience with all the lessons and values that I have learned and the lifelong friends that I have made. I wouldn't trade these memories for anything."