BENTONVILLE, Arkansas – Ouachita's
Sadbaroy Kholdarova has been unanimously selected as the 2024 Great American Conference Women's Tennis Freshman of the Year and has also earned a unanimous selection to the All-GAC First Team.
Joining Kholdarova on the All-GAC team is senior teammate
Austynn Crocker, who earned second team honors. Kholdarova becomes Ouachita's first ever freshman of the year in the history of the league. She also becomes Ouachita's third all-time first team All-GAC honoree. For Crocker, this year's honor puts her on the All-GAC team for the fourth time.
As the league's coaches have proven with her unanimous selection, Kholdarova had a dominating freshman campaign, finishing the regular season at 29-5 in singles and then earning her 30th win on Thursday in the opening round of the conference tournament over two-time GAC player of the Year Mulan Kamoe from Henderson State. Kamoe was the only player to defeat Kholdarova this year in conference play.
The Kurgantepa, Uzbekistan native started the year with a 14-1 record in singles during fall tournaments, and was the only player from the GAC to make the round of 16 at ITA Regionals. In the spring, she combined for a 15-4 singles record split between first and second positions, including a 4-1 record at line one in GAC matches.
Crocker posted a 13-19 record in singles this season. The Little Rock native combined with three teammates for an 11-17 doubles record.
The GAC also presented its scholar athlete awards on Thursday with Ouachita's
Austynn Crocker and
Ali May both earning the title of GAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete. The award is presented to student-athletes that have completed at least 70 hours and carry a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or better. Crocker is set to graduate in May with degrees in communications and political science. May, a junior from Franklin, Texas, is pursuing a degree in Christian studies.