Three NJIT women's tennis players, Laura Wipfli, Irene Cocero, and Paula Menendez Alvarez, have earned recognition on the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team for their exemplary academic and athletic performance. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a GPA of 3.50 or higher while being significant contributors to their teams. Each senior showcased outstanding achievements in both their studies and their performance on the court during the season.

By the Numbers
  • Laura Wipfli: 3.983 GPA, 23-5 overall singles record
  • Irene Cocero: 3.726 GPA, 20-6 overall singles record
  • Paula Menendez Alvarez: 3.859 GPA, 22-4 overall singles record
Yes, But

Despite these individual accolades, the competition is intense, and only a selection of student-athletes will receive the CSC Academic All-America honors in June. This raises the stakes for the nominees as they vie for national recognition.

State of Play
  • Wipfli has had an exceptional season, marked by multiple singles and doubles achievements.
  • Cocero and Menendez Alvarez consistently contributed to the team's performance, leading to their historic runner-up finish in the Big South Championship.
What's Next

Anticipation builds as the CSC Academic All-America nominees will be announced on June 2, indicating the potential for further accolades for these standout athletes.

Bottom Line

The recognition of these three Highlanders exemplifies the intersection of academic excellence and athletic prowess, setting a standard for future student-athletes at NJIT.