JMU and Texas State Athletes Honored with Sun Belt Conference Weekly Awards
NEW ORLEANS – Ireland Simme of Texas State and the James Madison duo of Sophie Williams and Brooklyn Hoffmann have been recognized for their outstanding performances, earning Sun Belt Conference Women’s Tennis Player and Doubles Team of the Week honors, respectively.
Ireland Simme, a senior from Austin, Texas, posted a perfect 4-0 record on the road this past weekend, securing wins in both singles and doubles play. Competing on court four, Simme defeated opponents from St. Mary’s and UTRGV in straight sets. She also teamed with freshman Olivia Collins on court one in doubles, contributing to an undefeated weekend for the Texas State team. Simme won her singles match against St. Mary’s 6-1, 6-2, and followed it up with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over her UTRGV opponent. In doubles, the Simme-Collins pairing secured 6-3 and 6-1 wins.
The James Madison pair of Sophie Williams and Brooklyn Hoffmann earned the Sun Belt Conference Women’s Tennis Doubles Team of the Week award after a 2-0 record against challenging competition. The duo opened their weekend with a 6-2 victory over Marina Fuduric and Julia Zhu of Kentucky, helping the Dukes clinch the doubles point. Their most impressive win came against Duke’s Clare An and Liv Hovde, a 6-3 victory. An is ranked #32 nationally in doubles, while Hovde holds rankings of #14 and #22.
This marks the first time James Madison has received the Sun Belt Doubles Team of the Week honor, as it is a new weekly award this year.
The Sun Belt Conference has also previously recognized Kira Matushkina of Old Dominion (Week 1, Player of the Week), Savanna Dada-Mascoll of App State (Week 2, Player of the Week), Marina Markina and Uladzislava Manzhos of Old Dominion (Week 1, Doubles Team of the Week), and Kenza Elakili and Manal Ennaciri of South Alabama (Week 2, Doubles Team of the Week).
James Madison is off this weekend and will return to the court on to host Howard in their home opener at 10 a.m.
