Eastern Washington Tennis Stars Shine with CoSIDA Academic Honors

Four student-athletes from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) women’s tennis team have earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors. This recognition, awarded by the College Sports Information Directors of America, goes to student-athletes who shine both in the classroom and on the court.

The honorees—Anait Arutiunian, Olivia Marais, Zoe Pradel, and Sara Vasic—have shown serious dedication to their studies while putting up strong performances in tennis. EWU’s women’s tennis program clearly values academic and athletic success, and it shows.

Academic Excellence and Athletic Prowess

To earn CoSIDA Academic All-American honors, student-athletes need at least a 3.5 GPA and must play in 90 percent of scheduled games or start in 66 percent. This year, EWU’s honorees met those requirements and then some.

Balancing sports and academics isn’t easy, but these four made it look almost effortless.

Anait Arutiunian: Leading by Example

In her final season at Eastern Washington, Anait Arutiunian took on the top positions, splitting matches between No. 1 and No. 2. The Moscow, Russia native posted a 4-4 record in the Big Sky Conference and a 6-10 overall record, with a 4-5 mark at No. 2 and 2-5 at No. 1.

She also teamed up with Sara Vasic at No. 2 doubles, finishing with a 7-10 overall record and a 3-6 conference record. Arutiunian wrapped up her Eagle career with 13 singles wins and 16 in doubles—a legacy that’s sure to stick around for a while.

Zoe Pradel: A Breakout Season

Zoe Pradel had a breakout sophomore year, ending with an 11-8 overall record and a 5-3 mark against Big Sky opponents. She mainly played at No. 3 singles and earned All-Big Sky second team honors, plus her first Big Sky Tennis Player of the Week award.

In doubles, Pradel partnered with Olivia Marais at No. 1, finishing with a 4-4 conference record and a 7-10 overall tally. She showed her versatility with a 9-6 record at No. 3 singles, 1-0 at No. 2, and 1-2 at No. 4.

Olivia Marais: Clutch Performer

Olivia Marais also turned heads this season, going 5-3 against conference opponents and 10-5 overall, mostly at No. 5 singles. The Lodi, California native clinched three matches for her team, proving she can handle the pressure.

Marais picked up her first Big Sky Tennis Player of the Week award in March. She went 5-3 at No. 5 singles, 4-0 at No. 6, and 1-2 at No. 4.

Sara Vasic: Doubles Specialist

Sara Vasic played a big part in doubles during her final season in Cheney. She partnered with Anait Arutiunian at No. 2 doubles, racking up seven wins, including three in conference play.

The Belgrade, Serbia native finished her career with nine doubles wins and three singles wins, making a real impact for the team.

Team Achievements and Future Prospects

The combined efforts of Arutiunian, Pradel, Marais, and Vasic helped the EWU women’s tennis team return to the Big Sky Championships for the first time since 2021. The team traveled to Arizona as the No. 4 seed and faced Idaho in a tough first-round matchup.

The Eagles wrapped up the season with a 5-3 record in the Big Sky and an 11-0 overall record—the most wins since 2019. Not a bad way to cap things off, honestly.

Join the Eagle Athletic Fund

Supporting the EWU women’s tennis team (and other programs) matters for their ongoing success. The Eagle Athletic Fund (EAF) gives fans and alumni a way to help student-athletes grow.

For as low as $50 per year, EAF members get perks like season tickets, tailgating priority, and invites to special events. Want to learn more or join? Check out the official website.

About Eastern Washington University Athletics

Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports—six for men, eight for women. These programs offer learning opportunities for the university’s top athletes and add a lot to campus and community life.

EWU competes in NCAA Division I and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, which includes 10 regional schools with similar enrollments and academic goals.

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