Hamner, Carnicella Named ITA All-Americans

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Senior Sarah Hamner and redshirt sophomore Kaitlyn Carnicella were named Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Americans, announced by the organization on Tuesday afternoon.

Hamner, who wrapped up her collegiate career ranked No. 16 in singles, was named an ITA Singles All-American. Hamner and Carnicella finished the season ranked No. 7 in doubles, each earning ITA Doubles All-American honors. Both Gamecocks were named to the All-SEC Team (Hamner – First Team, Carnicella – Second Team) and CSC Academic All-District Team.

With this accolade Hamner has earned four All-American titles throughout her time as a Gamecock (two singles, two doubles). The senior led the team this season with an impressive 19-10 overall singles record, including a 10-5 mark in dual matches, all played from the No. 1 position. She holds a 10-7 record against ranked opponents, highlighted by a standout win over then-No. 1 Dasha Vidmanova of Georgia in February. In that match, Hamner staged a three-set comeback to secure the upset and prevent a shutout for the Gamecocks, a performance that earned her SEC Player of the Week honors on Feb. 26. In March, Hamner achieved a major career milestone by surpassing 100 collegiate singles victories. 

The Colorado native has been ranked inside the top 30 in both singles and doubles in every ITA ranking release this season. She reached as high as No. 13 in singles and No. 7 in doubles alongside partner Carnicella. During the fall, she claimed the ITA East Sectional Championship title in singles, securing her place in the NCAA individual tournament for the fourth straight year. In Waco, she advanced to the Round of 32 after defeating No. 73 Eleana Yu of Duke (7-6(6), 6-4) in straight sets. 

In doubles Hamner and Carnicella held a 12-8 overall record, going 8-5  in dual matches from the top of the lineup. The two tallied eight victories against nationally ranked opponents.

Carnicella compiled an 18-11 overall singles record this season, including a 7-5 mark in dual matches from the No. 2 position. She held a 5-6 record against ranked opponents, highlighted by a commanding 6-0, 6-2 win over No. 19 Julia Garcia Ruiz of then-No. 12 Oklahoma. Like Hamner, Carnicella maintained a spot in the ITA rankings throughout the entire dual match season, reaching a career-high of No. 52 in singles and No. 7 in doubles.

One of her season highlights came during South Carolina’s upset of then-No. 6 Auburn, where she clinched the match with a three-set comeback victory to secure the 4-2 win while the Gamecocks were ranked No. 53. The New Jersey native qualified for the NCAA Individual Championships for the first time in her career, earning her spot after advancing to the semifinals of the ITA East Sectional Championships in November.

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