BY: FRANCESCA DAVIS
As we approach the spring season, William and Mary Tennis looks to bring a refreshing and exciting energy to Tribe Athletics. Coaches Jeff Kader and Jessica Giuggioli have brought in some top-level recruits and are looking to carry on the immense success they had last season, both hoping to bring home a CAA conference title for the Tribe.
Starting with the women, the team are now riding a CAA three-peat wave as they begin their 2025 season. Looking back to 2024, the Tribe ended with a strong overall record of 18-6 and 10-1 at home, and even went on an 11-match winning streak mid season.
They took strong wins over conference foes Elon and Charleston in the regular season also, only dropping 3 matches in the process. After finishing the season with a 4-0 thrashing of CAA rivals Delaware in the conference final and having a competitive showing in the NCAA tournament, Tribe women’s tennis couldn’t be in a better place heading into the spring.
But what has changed since last season? Coach Jessica Giuggioli has done some significant recruiting over the summer, with freshman Mira Kernagis and Navy transfer Sia Chaudry joining the Tribe. Kernagis, a Chicago native, produced strong fall results, posting an 8-4 singles record and getting a monumental doubles win over the UNC Tarheels with senior Emma Fernald. Chaudry, a Richmond native, looks to carry on her momentum from Navy, having ended her sophomore year at Navy as part of the Patriot League doubles team of the year.
As for the returners, all eyes are on senior Hedda Gurholt as she begins her final season with the Tribe. Gurholt, who was named 2024 CAA player of the year for the second season in a row, went 19-3 in singles last season and also got her first ranked win over Maryland’s Selma Cadar (#79). Gurholt will no doubt bring the level for the Tribe as she consistently does, and will hope to complete the four-peat CAA title to round off her college career.
Looking ahead to the 2025 schedule, notable enticing home matchups for the Tribe include vs West Virginia on February 2nd, Wake Forest on February 23rd, and VCU on March 28th, where the team will be looking to get key wins in hopes to secure a national ranking this season.
The Tribe will end their season at Elon in the CAA championship tournament on April 25-27th, where they look to capture their 30th CAA title. The date to watch for now is February 1st, where the Tribe women open their season against Norfolk State at 1pm at the McCormack Nagelsen Tennis Center, so make sure to come out and support the reigning CAA champions!
The men of Tribe tennis also hope to make waves within the CAA this year. Having advanced to the semi finals of the conference tournament last year, being only two matches away from the title, the Green and Gold no doubt enter the 2025 season with lots of confidence, having also reached a monumental national ranking of #68 in 2024. Despite losing three strong graduate students, Coach Jeff Kader has worked to achieve an impressive recruiting class.
Freshmen Trakhtenberg, Katz, Nilsson, and Volk will provide a refreshing energy to help the Tribe carry on their momentum from 2024 into the new year. Trakhtenberg, a multiple time national Israeli junior champion, posted a strong 9-5 singles record in the fall, and looks to make significant impact within the Tribe this season.
In terms of returning players, standout sophomore Oliver Hague will no doubt be looking to carry on his winning ways. Hague, a British native, advanced to the round of 16 in the ITA regionals last semester. Not only that, Hague also posted a 24-9 singles record in his freshman season, earning him CAA Rookie of the Year Honors. Hague played at the no.4 spot for a strong Tribe men’s team that took wins over Navy, Wichita State, Youngstown State, and Dartmouth (twice!!).
Now the Green and Gold have their sights set on a first CAA title since 2018, and definitely have
the roster to achieve it. Some home highlights to look forward to (and to come out and support!), will be vs Liberty on March 2nd, CAA foes Monmouth on March 9th, and Delaware on April 5th. The Tribe also have lots of exciting matchups away this season, including at Yale, Brown, Notre Dame, and VCU, where they will look to secure some quality victories. Coach Kader and the team open their season on February 5th at home vs Norfolk State.
So, there is no doubt loads to look forward to for W&M Tennis this year. With CAA titles to defend, ranked wins to secure, and seniors looking to cement their legacy with the Tribe, there won’t be a dull moment at the McCormack Nagelsen Tennis Center this season. Don’t miss out and make sure to be there supporting the Tribe on the first two weekends in February, and get their season off to a strong start!
The William & Mary Sports Blog 