Lancers Excel in Academics: Women’s Tennis Stars Honored
The Longwood Lancers women’s tennis team has had a standout season, both academically and athletically. Three players—sophomore Alexandra Magia, junior Feline van Eijkelenburg, and senior Oriana Izarra—earned Academic All-District® honors this year.
The College Sports Communicators recognized these athletes for their achievements on the court and in the classroom. Balancing tough classes and a demanding tennis schedule isn’t easy, but these three made it look almost routine.
Exceptional Academic Achievements
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To qualify for the Academic All-District® Team, student-athletes need at least a 3.50 GPA and must play in 75% or more of their team’s dual matches. This award has been around since 1952, honoring the best student-athletes in the country for excelling in both academics and athletics.
Spotlight on Alexandra Magia
Alexandra Magia, a sophomore from Athens, Greece, has really stood out this season. With a 3.843 GPA in business administration, she’s managed to keep up her grades while being a key player for the Lancers.
Magia grabbed All-Big South Second Team honors in doubles. She ended the season with an 11-10 singles record and a 10-11 doubles record.
She didn’t lose a single Big South singles match, which is honestly pretty impressive.
- GPA: 3.843 in Business Administration
- Singles Record: 11-10
- Doubles Record: 10-11
- Big South Matches: 3-0 in singles, 7-6 in doubles
Feline van Eijkelenburg’s Dual Excellence
Junior Feline van Eijkelenburg, from Haarlem, Netherlands, has made her mark in both singles and doubles. She carries a 3.933 GPA in physics, which is no joke, and was named to the All-Big South First Team in singles and Second Team in doubles.
She also picked up the Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Van Eijkelenburg finished with an 18-10 singles record and a 12-14 doubles record—those numbers speak for themselves.
- GPA: 3.933 in Physics
- Singles Record: 18-10
- Doubles Record: 12-14
- Big South Player of the Week: March 25
Oriana Izarra’s Consistent Performance
Senior Oriana Izarra, hailing from Valencia, Venezuela, has been a steady presence for the Lancers. She holds a 3.858 GPA in business administration and earned All-Big South Second Team honors in doubles.
Izarra ended the season with a 13-9 doubles record and a 7-14 singles record. Her versatility and commitment have made a real difference for the team.
- GPA: 3.858 in Business Administration
- Singles Record: 7-14
- Doubles Record: 13-9
Team Success and Future Prospects
The Longwood Lancers women’s tennis team didn’t just shine individually. They wrapped up the season with a 9-8 record and grabbed a share of the Big South regular-season championship at 3-1 in league play.
For the first time, they earned the top seed in the conference tournament. Even though they lost in the semifinals, this year’s run feels like the start of something bigger.
Commitment to Academic Excellence
These student-athletes show just how tough it is to balance school and sports. The standards for the Academic All-District® Team are high, and meeting them takes some serious dedication and time management.
Longwood University’s support and resources play a big part in helping athletes like Magia, van Eijkelenburg, and Izarra thrive. It’s not easy, but their commitment to academics is clear—and that’s something worth celebrating.
Conclusion
Alexandra Magia, Feline van Eijkelenburg, and Oriana Izarra just picked up Academic All-District® honors, and honestly, that’s a big deal for the Longwood Lancers women’s tennis team. Their achievements show the results of constant hard work and a ton of dedication.
Longwood University really seems to have their backs, too. With this kind of foundation—both academically and athletically—who knows how far they’ll go in the coming seasons?
Curious about what else the Longwood Lancers women’s tennis team has been up to? Check out the official announcement for more details.