Women's Tennis Earns Three on CSC Academic All-District Team
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Three Gamecocks from the South Carolina women’s tennis team were named to the 2026 Academic All-District Women’s Tennis Team as selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).
The 2025-26 Academic All-District® women’s tennis team, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes women’s tennis honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
CSC All-District team members meet the following criteria: At least a sophomore athletically and academically, owns at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average and must compete in 75% of all matches.
Fifth-year Lauren Friedman and sophomores Helena Buchwald and Jana Stojanova represent the women’s team.
Friedman, a political science major who boasts a 4.0 GPA, wrapped up her career a few weeks ago at the NCAA Tournament in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Newport Beach, Calif. Native finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-9 overall doubles record (14-8 dual, 6-7 SEC) after playing 21 straight matches at the No. 1 spot with Buchwald. The pair were ranked in the top 15 of the ITA rankings five times throughout the season, peaking at No. 9. Friedman played in four singles matches, including the first round of the NCAA tournament, where she clinched the win against Maryland with a straight-set win from court six.
Buchwald is studying psychology and finished her sophomore season with a 15-6 overall singles record. She played consistently from the No. 2 singles spot and went 5-1 against nationally ranked opponents. The Berlin, Germany native appeared in the ITA singles rankings for seven straight weeks. Her season was highlighted by defeating the No. 7-ranked singles player from Texas A&M and the No. 16 player from Texas, both in straight sets. In doubles, she joined Friedman at the top spot for 21 straight matches, posting a 17-9 overall record (14-8 dual, 6-7 SEC).
Stojanova, a Finance major with a 4.0 GPA, concluded her second season as a Gamecock. She posted an 11-6 overall (10-5 dual, 55-3 SEC) singles record, playing from the No. 5 and No. 6 positions. The Skopje, Macedonia native went 7-2 from the No. 6 spot in singles play. She paired up with Kaitlyn Carnicella in doubles action, notching a 6-5 record and when playing with Jane Dunyon, the duo went 2-3.
