Tempe, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (“ITA”) is pleased to announce the 2026 ITA NAIA 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 NAIA 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 Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, and the ITA Player to Watch.
Continue reading below to find out more about each of the 2026 ITA National Award winners:
ITA/Dunlop Coach of the Year
Jon Bemisderfer | Goshen College
Jon Bemisderfer from Goshen College has been named the 2026 ITA NAIA Women’s Coach of the Year. Leading a transformational season for the Maple Leafs, Bemisderfer turned Goshen from being last in the conference to one of the top teams in the conference and nation. Finishing 16-8 on the season, Goshen made the NAIA Team Championships for the first time in program history and earned their first tournament win over Holy Cross in a 4-3 thriller in the first round. Goshen finished the season ranked No. 13 in the ITA NAIA Team Rankings and behind Bemisderfer’s coaching had many program firsts this season.
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year
Yassir Kilani | Keiser University
Yassir Kilani from Keiser University has been named the 2026 ITA NAIA Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year. As a former standout for the Keiser men’s tennis teams, Kilani has stepped into an assistant coaching role this season and has made an immediate impact on both Keiser program’s. Dedicating his life to the teams, Kilani is always one of the first arrivals at the tennis facility and is one of the last to leave as he is always volunteering extra time to players to help them grow in their skill. Kilani has helped the Kesier team achieve a No. 1 Ranking in the country and him and the Seahawks claimed both the ITA National Team Indoor Championship as well as the NAIA National Championship. Kilani also spends many hours of his time giving back to the local community by training area youth in Palm Beach County, helping the next generation of tennis players.
ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
Patty Huerta | Bethel College
Patty Huerta from Bethel College has been named the 2026 ITA NAIA Women’s Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner. As an integral part of the Bethel women’s tennis team for the past four years, Huerta has served as a leader both on and off the court during her time at Bethel. Studying a course load in STEM, Huerta has balanced both her studies and team responsibilities with grace over her career. As one of the top performers in singles and doubles this season, Huerta has solidified her spot in the Bethel lineup and has helped them raise their program into national prominence.
ITA Rookie of the Year
Maja Brnic | Xavier University of Louisiana
Maja Brnic from Xavier University of Louisiana has been named the 2026 ITA NAIA Women’s Rookie of the Year. As one of the most dominant players in the Red River Conference and NAIA as a whole, Brnic has made waves during her first year on campus. Named the RRAC Freshman of the Year, Brnic is ranked in the Top Ten of both the NAIA Singles and Doubles Rankings. Playing from the top of the lineup in both singles and doubles, Brnic has defeated several of the top players across the NAIA level and has accumulated over 30 wins this season across both singles and doubles.
ITA Most Improved Player
Leah Gonzales-Edwards | Holy Cross College
Leah Gonzales-Edwards from Holy Cross College has been named the 2026 ITA NAIA Women’s Most Improved Player. As a senior on the Holy Cross team, Gonzales-Edwards had a crucial role in the success of her team this season playing No. 2 singles throughout the year. Leading Holy Cross to their fourth consecutive CCAC Title, Gonzales-Edwards and the Holy Cross team once again made the NAIA Team Championships. Her improvement year-over-year has been a key factor in the continued success of the Holy Cross program and her efforts as a leader on and off the court have been just as influential as well.
ITA Senior Player of the Year
Alexandra Melnikova | Keiser University
Alexandra Melnikova from Keiser University has been named the 2026 ITA NAIA Women’s Senior Player of the Year. Coming over to Keiser from fellow NAIA powerhouse Georgia Gwinnett, Melnikova made an immediate impact with the Seahawks, playing a key role as a senior leader on the team. Holding down the No. 2 singles position for the majority of the season, Melnikova compiled an impressive 20-1 record across all singles matches this season, including an impressive 18 match winning streak to conclude the season. Melnikova and her teammates recently capped off a season in which they won both the ITA National Team Indoor Championship and the NAIA National Championship. She finished her senior season ranked No. 14 in the country in singles and 20-6 overall in doubles as well for Keiser.
ITA Player to Watch
Isabella Lechuga | William Carey University
Isabella Lechuga from William Carey University has been named the 2026 ITA NAIA Women’s Player to Watch. As a junior for the William Carey team, Lechuga has quickly made her name known across the NAIA level, rising to new highs this season alongside her team. Compiling a 12-2 singles record this season, primarily from the No. 3 singles position, Lechuga was 2-0 against nationally ranked opponents this season and went unbeaten in conference play. As one of the best doubles players in the country as well, Lechuga was a part of the SSAC Doubles Team of the Year this season and finished ranked No. 5 in the ITA Doubles Rankings with partner Victoria Vieten.
