NCCU Tennis Aces Earn Academic All-District Honors
GREENWOOD, Ind. — May 13, 2025 —
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is celebrating the academic achievements of its tennis programs. Seven NCCU tennis players were honored by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) with Academic All-District Team recognition for the 2024-25 season. These awards celebrate excellence both on the court and in the classroom for the seven Eagles. This prestigious designation demonstrates the North Carolina Central University program’s commitment to student-athlete success, highlighting their hard work. The recognition further solidifies the team’s reputation; more details to follow.
north Carolina central Tennis Aces Academic All-District Honors
May 13, 2025, 4:36 PM
GREENWOOD, Ind. – The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) men’s and women’s tennis programs are celebrating a significant academic achievement. Seven Eagles have been named to the 2024-25 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Teams, recognizing their excellence both on the court and in the classroom.
The honorees include:
- Men’s Team: Oliver saarinen, Hugo Hidalgo Vega, Kareem Abdul Hakim, and Rodrigo Alves
- Women’s Team: Gabriela Mejia Arenas, Valeria San Miguel Soria, and Patricia Palencia
Academic Excellence: A Program-Wide Achievement
Both the men’s and women’s teams demonstrated a strong commitment to academics, exceeding the 3.50 cumulative grade point average mark. This dedication is further highlighted by the fact that 14 Eagles were named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic conference (MEAC) All-Academic team this season.
Did you know? The CSC All-District Teams have strict eligibility requirements. Players must be at least sophomores, maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA or higher, and participate in at least 70% of their team’s matches during the season.
Only four student-athletes per team can be selected for the CSC All-District Teams, making this recognition even more prestigious.
Individual Highlights: On and Off the Court
The honored athletes have not only excelled academically but have also made significant contributions to their respective teams.
- Valeria San Miguel Soria: Made an immediate impact in her first season at NCCU after transferring from North Alabama, finishing above .500 in both singles and doubles play.
- Gabriela Mejia Arenas: Earned the Coaches Co-Most Valuable Player award at the Eddies after a breakout sophomore year.
- Patricia Palencia: Tied for the most singles wins this season with a 14-6 record. All three women completed MEAC play 5-1 in singles competition.
Men’s Team standouts
The men’s team also boasts notable achievements, both individually and collectively.
- Hugo Hidalgo Vega: Concluded his college career with First Team All-MEAC honors for the second consecutive year.
- Rodrigo Alves and Kareem Abdul Hakim: Both were named to the conference’s Second Team.
- Oliver Saarinen: A key player in doubles,Saarinen also served as team captain and received multiple accolades,including the Eagle Excellence Academic Award,Debra Saunders-White Leadership Award,and Chancellor’s Award for the graduating senior with the highest overall GPA at the student-athlete Eddies Awards.
Pro Tip: Balancing athletics and academics requires remarkable time management and dedication. NCCU’s tennis program clearly fosters an habitat that supports student-athletes in achieving success in both areas.
The men’s team further distinguished itself by winning the Faculty Athletic Council Award for the highest small team GPA at the NCCU athletic award ceremony.
