Tempe, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (“ITA”) is pleased to announce the 2026 ITA Junior College Women’s National Award recipients. Every year the ITA recognizes coaches and student-athletes for their excellence both on the court and in their communities throughout the season.
The Junior College national awards include: ITA Dunlop/Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Most Improved Sophomore, and the ITA Sophomore Player of the Year.
Continue reading below to find out more about each of the 2026 ITA National Award winners:
Brooks Buffington | Jones College
Brooks Buffington from Jones College has been named the 2026 ITA Junior College Women’s Coach of the Year. Earning the program’s and state’s first NJCAA National Title this past week in Sumter, Buffington and the Jones College team capped off their 17-0 season in the highest way possible. Across the season, the team finished MACCC play undefeated while going a combined 76-5 across all individual courts, extending their unbeaten conference record that dates back to Feb. 14, 2019. Additionally, 14 of their 17 wins this season came against Top 25 ranked NJCAA opponents. Buffington was named the MACCC Coach of the Year and the NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year for his efforts throughout the season. Off the court, Buffington and his team hold the highest G.P.A. across all sports at Jones College.
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year
Tahir El-Zare | Coastal Alabama Community College – South
Tahir El-Zare from Coastal Alabama Community College – South has been named the 2026 ITA Junior College Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year. Taking over as the assistant coach in January, El-Zare fit right in from day one and many of the players quickly gravitated towards him and his coaching style. Coming in later in the season, El-Zare wasted no time in learning each player personally, analyzing matches and bringing energy to every match this spring. This spring, the Coastal Alabama team has climbed as high as No. 11 nationally which is the highest ranking in program history. Across the season, the team finished fifth nationally at the NJCAA Division II Championships and had a record of 17-8 overall, with a 10-2 mark in conference play.
ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
Josie Tullios | Jones College
Josie Tullios from Jones College has been named the 2026 ITA Junior College Women’s Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner. In addition to being a leader on the court, Tullios has become just as impactful to the Jones College team off the court as she has become on it. As a player, Tullios held a 9-1 mark in singles and 16-1 mark in doubles this season, winning the NJCAA DII Flight Six Singles Title this past week in Sumter. Bringing a positive attitude to everything she does, Tullios is a Jones College Academic Excellence member, holds a 3.96 G.P.A., and is in the Honors College at Jones. Additionally, Tullios is on the leadership team for the Jones College FCA Club, is involved with several after school programs for underprivileged kids, and has helped host numerous community service events with her team at Jones College.
ITA Rookie of the Year
Dina Lipovski | Tyler Junior College
Dina Lipovski from Tyler Junior College has been named the 2026 ITA Junior College Women’s Rookie of the Year. As just a freshman, Lipovski immediately stepped into the Tyler lineup and made an impact, playing both No. 1 singles and doubles for the Apaches. In her first semester, Lipovski won the ITA Regional Championship in both singles and doubles, and placed third nationally at the ITA Cup in both singles and doubles as well. This spring, Lipovski went on a 10-0 win streak and took down some very talented opponents from multiple divisions of our sport. In the most recent ITA National Singles Rankings, Lipovski was ranked No. 3 in the nation.
ITA Most Improved Sophomore
Alix Dol | Tyler Junior College
Alix Dol from Tyler Junior College has been named the 2026 ITA Junior College Women’s Most Improved Sophomore. As a freshman, Dol played No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles primarily, finishing as a semifinalist in both singles and doubles at the 2025 NJCAA Tournament. This season, Dol has made the jump to No. 1 doubles while remaining at the No. 3 singles position but has shown much growth year-over-year. In the spring, Dol went 12-3 in singles play and had a nine match winning streak in the process, while in doubles went 8-3 from the top line. Dol gives her all each and every day and her improvements from her first year in college tennis to this year are largely credited to the strength and confidence she has gained through her hard work both on and off the court.
ITA Sophomore Player of the Year
Younsoo Cho | Hillsborough Community College
Younsoo Cho from Hillsborough Community College has been named the 2026 ITA Junior College Women’s Sophomore Player of the Year. Winning back-to-back NJCAA Division I Team Championships this past week, Cho claimed the National Title at the No. 1 singles position and the No. 1 doubles position in Sumter, giving her team the maximum amount of points from those lines. In the fall, Cho was the ITA Regional Singles and Doubles Champion, and carried her success to the ITA Cup where she won the Singles and Doubles Titles there as well. Currently, Cho ranks No. 1 in both singles and doubles in the ITA Rankings.
