Four members of the Slippery Rock University women's tennis team have been named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team: Nicole Kempton, Alissia Kivi, Nadia Rodewald, and Dari Sakhanova. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a GPA above 3.50, be sophomores or above, and play in at least 70% of matches. This marks a notable achievement, with Kempton and Sakhanova receiving multiple honors, while Kivi and Rodewald make their inaugural appearances. The team's strong academic performance coincides with impressive athletic records, with the squad leading to a successful season in the NCAA Tournament.

By the Numbers
  • Kempton holds a perfect 4.00 GPA and a 20-6 singles record.
  • Kivi boasts a 23-4 singles record and a 3.94 GPA.
  • Rodewald maintains a 4.00 GPA with a 19-6 overall record.
  • Sakhanova has a 3.95 GPA and a 16-6 singles record.
State of Play
  • The team has a collective record of 16-3 and is ranked No. 28 nationally.
  • Slippery Rock won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament.
  • They defeated Fairmont State University in the NCAA Tournament's second round.
What's Next

Following the CSC Academic All-District selections, the finalists will advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot, with results announced on June 2. This achievement could boost their visibility and opportunities for future accolades and honors.

Bottom Line

The recognition of these four student-athletes highlights the successful blend of academic excellence and athletic prowess at Slippery Rock University, setting a strong precedent for future student-athletes in the program.