Hamner, Akli Appear in Preseason Rankings

Columbia, S.C. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its preseason rankings on Tuesday, featuring South Carolina women’s tennis sophomore Sarah Hamner and senior Ayana Akli in both singles and doubles.

Hamner earned the No. 2 spot in the national singles rankings. The sophomore is coming off of a breakout freshman season in which she was named an All-American, SEC Freshman of the Year, and was a finalist for the 2022 Honda Sport Award for Tennis. Hamner posted a 34-9 overall record during her first year with the Gamecocks and earned the title at the ITA All-American Championships.

Akli comes in at No. 42 in the preseason rankings. The senior went 29-15 overall during the 2021-22 season and posted 16 wins over nationally ranked opponents. The Silver Spring, Maryland, native closed the dual season on an 11-match win streak and earned a bid to the NCAA Singles Championship.

The pair of Gamecocks combine for a place in the doubles ranking at No. 60. Hamner and Akli both made several appearances in the doubles rankings throughout the 2022 season and were both named to the All-SEC First Team for their efforts.

South Carolina women’s tennis will begin the Fall 2022 season at the Furman Fall Invite in Greenville, S.C., Sept. 16-18. They will make their home debut Oct. 28-30 at the Carolina Tennis Center for the Gamecock Shootout.

For all the latest South Carolina women’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockWTennis).

ITA Preseason Rankings

Singles

No. 2 – Sarah Hamner

No. 42 – Ayana Akli

Doubles

No. T-60 – Sarah Hamner/Ayana Akli