Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women's tennis sophomore Jade Groen was today named to the second-team All-Southern Conference by the league's head coaches ahead of the 2024 SoCon Women's Tennis Championship which opens Thursday in Chattanooga, Tenn. The All-SoCon second team accolades were awarded by position.
The reigning Southern Conference women's tennis player of the month for March, Groen dominated the competition on the second court as she compiled a 15-2 record as the No. 2 seed. Groen ended the season on a seven-match winning streak highlighted by a 6-0 record in conference play. She was one of only two SoCon student-athletes to hit the 15-win total with 13 of her victories coming in straight sets.
Groen also led the Catamounts in wins on the doubles courts, earning a 13-7 record through her 20 full doubles matches. The Zoetermeer, Netherlands, product began the season paired with Andrea Redondo with the Purple and Gold duo cruising to an 8-3 record on the third court before teaming with Madison Schwarz on the second court to close out the season.
Groen was named to the SoCon All-Freshman team last season and was selected second-team all-conference with Andrea-Redondo. She is the first Catamount to earn an All-SoCon first or second-team nod since Kata Foldeak was named first-team All-SoCon in 2021.
Jade Groen and the Catamounts return to action tomorrow morning as they take on the second-seeded Furman Paladins in the first round of the Southern Conference Tennis Championships in Chattanooga. Coverage of Thursday's opening round is available through live stats with a link online at CatamountSports.com.
Full Post-Season Awards
2024 Southern Conference Player of the Year
Sophia Markova, Sr., ETSU
2024 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year
Maeve Thornton, Furman
2024 Southern Conference Coach of the Year
Ricky Rojas, ETSU
2024 Southern Conference Sportsmanship Award
Meredith Taylor, So., Samford
2024 All-Southern Conference Women's Tennis
First team
Singles
Sophia Markova, ETSU
Fernanda Carvajal, ETSU
Sara Snyder, Furman
Teodora Ristic, Mercer
Rozalie Dohnalova, Chattanooga
Breda Brennan, Wofford
Doubles
Fernanda Carvajal/Daniela Rivera, ETSU
Macy Hitchcock/ Ellie Schulson, Furman
Sofia Markova/Alessandra Caceres, ETSU
Second team
Singles (by position)
No. 1 – Alex Lopez, Samford
No. 2 – Jade Groen, Western Carolina
No. 3 – Daniela Rivera, ETSU
No. 4 – Grace Thomas, Furman
No. 5 – Alessandra Caceres, ETSU
No. 6 – Marissa Pennings, Furman
Doubles
No. 1 – Grace Agster/Lily Woods, Wofford
No. 2 – Jess Dawson/Sara Snyder, Furman
No. 3 – Maeve Thornton/Grace Thomas, Furman
All-Freshman
Alessandra Caceres, ETSU
Jana Rovira, ETSU
Maeve Thornton, Furman
Macy Hitchcock, Furman
Madlen Orlova, Chattanooga
Grace Agster, Wofford
