April 6, 2013
JAKLIN ALAWI 5-8 SR-1L SOFIA, BULGARIA
Jaki came to the University of South Carolina in fall 2011 after spending two years at Long Beach State University. Jaki was named the Big West Conference Freshman of the Year at Long Beach State and earned first-team all-conference accolades that same season. As a sophomore, she earned a place on the All-Big West Second Team. Jaki made an immediate impact on the Gamecocks’ lineup as a junior, leading the team in singles victories throughout the season. Her 11-2 fall record that year earned her a #33 national ranking in singles to begin the spring. She also quickly established herself as Carolina’s top doubles player and defeated the #1 team in the nation from Florida during the spring. Jaki finished the season 25-9 in singles and was named to the All-SEC Second Team while also being named the team’s Most Valuable Player. Her strong junior season also led her to be named the ITA Carolina Region Player to Watch. This season, Jaki has played the #1 singles position almost every match and put together an impressive run at #1 doubles. She and partner Dominika Kanakova have a 21-8 record together this season, making them the winningest Carolina duo since the 2001-02 season. Jaki is a political science major and will graduate in May with her degree. |
JOSEFIN ANDERSSON 5-10 SR-3L MALMOE, SWEDEN
Josi overcame much adversity during her career as a Gamecock. After suffering a torn Achilles as a freshman in spring 2010, Josi returned to the tennis court by the end of her sophomore year. She was a critical component of last year’s team and began the fall season with six straight wins in singles. Josi helped the Gamecocks earn a big victory over instate rival Clemson and she became a member of South Carolina’s most consistent doubles team with partner Katerina Popova. She and Popova won more matches than any other Gamecock tandem with a 17-9 record. Overall, Josi tied for the team lead in individual doubles victories with a record of 22-11, and her 7-4 record in SEC matches was the highest win total for a Gamecock since 2007. This year, Josi has set a new career-high for singles victories and has maintained her strong doubles play with Popova. The two are currently 17-8 on the season and 13-3 in dual matches. Josi has been a major contributor in singles as well, helping Carolina defeat Missouri, Arkansas, LSU and Mississippi State this year. A three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Josi is a finance major and will graduate in May with her degree. |
ADRIANA PEREIRA 5-5 SR-3L ASUNCION, PARAGUAY
Adri had one of the best freshman campaigns in school history when she joined the University of South Carolina in fall 2009. After entering the singles lineup on a permanent basis for the Gamecocks that spring, she won eight matches in a row playing between courts five and six. She finished the season with a 9-2 record in SEC play to tie a single-season school record for conference victories. Adri was named SEC Freshman of the Week after the Gamecocks earned wins against Vanderbilt and Kentucky. She ended the season with an impressive 16-5 dual match record and was 24-10 overall. Adri was sidelined much of her sophomore year with a shoulder injury, but came back toward the end of the season to win matches the helped the Gamecocks advance to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Last year, Adri opened the season with an 8-1 record in fall tournaments and went on to finish the season 19-12 in singles competition. She once again helped Carolina advance in the postseason with a singles victory over TCU that enabled the Gamecocks to proceed to the second round of NCAAs. A three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Adri is a double major in finance and marketing and will graduate in December with her degrees. |