TEMPE, Ariz. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association swept all seven women’s Central Region Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) awards released on Monday. On Tuesday, the association announced Karyna Yurchenko of Central Oklahoma as the recipent of the 2025 ITA Division II Women’s Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship award.

Yurchenko was honored with both the Central Region and Division II Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship award. A co-caption on the UCO squad, Yurchenko demonstrated her leadership by helping the Bronchos in its MIAA tournament title run, winning her singles and doubles matches in the semifinals and finals against Nebraska Kearney and Northwest Missouri. The Kiev, Ukraine, native finished her season with a 13-7 singles record while primarily playing between the No. 5 and No. 6 courts and was 13-6 in No. 3 doubles, playing all matches except one match with partner Hui Soo. Yurchenko is also an active representative in Central Oklahoma’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was given UCO’s Sportsmanship Award over all other Broncho athletes.

For the fourth time in his career, Kirby Ronning has been crowned the ITA Central Region Coach of the Year after leading Washburn to its fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance, a share of the MIAA regular season championship and a 17-4 overall and 8-1 conference record. This season marks just the second time Ronning has received the award on the women’s side after winning it for the 2022-23 season. Ronning was also named the MIAA Coach of the Year for both the women’s and men’s tennis squads. 

Joining Ronning as a fellow Ichabod to receive honors was Daniela Tijaro who notched the Central Region Rookie of the Year award. The freshman has had a stellar start to her career with a 27-7 doubles record including a 16-4 mark in the No. 1 slot. She and partner Renske Ubachs sat in the top-10 throughout the duration of the season and went 3-3 in ranked matches. In singles play, Tijaro posted a 17-11 record between courts two and four while going 2-2 against ranked competition. 

After aiding Northwest Missouri to a share of the MIAA regular season title, Tessa Kwakernaak has been honored with the ITA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year award. A four year member of the Bearcat tennis team herself, Kwakernaak made the switch from player to coach this season and has found great success. Under her jurisdiction, Northwest Missouri secured a 16-9 record for the program’s 14th MIAA title and 22nd appearance at the NCAA Tournament. 

Kwakernaak also coached Alva Norberg to ITA Central Region Player to Watch award. Norberg transferred to Northwest Missouri this past season and has already made her mark in the conference, being named All-MIAA first-team singles and second-team doubles. The Stockholm, Sweden, native led the Bearcats with her 20 wins in singles action while collecting 18 wins in doubles with a 14-4 record with teammate Miru Nonaka. 

Taking the Central Region’s Most Improved Player award was Tegan Heaton of Northeastern State. The senior completed her career ranked No. 49 nationally in singles play with her 11 wins between the No. 1 and No. 2 slots. An All-MIAA first-team singles selection, Heaton also tallied three ranked wins this season. 

Exiting her Nebraska Kearney career as the all-time winningest player as well at the Central Region Senior Player of the Year is Narindra Ranaivo. With a Sweet 16 matchup still to play, Ranavio currently has a record of 45-14 on the season between a 17-5 singles dual and 18-6 doubles dual record. The senior has predominantly played in No. 2 singles spot with a 16-3 mark with all doubles matches played in the No. 1 slot as she and partner Tanya Midzi are ranked No. 17. She totaled 178 wins throughout her career with a program-best 90 singles and 88 doubles victories.

UNK remains the only MIAA team left in the Division II Women's Tennis Championship as the Lopers take on Azusa Pacific University in the Sweet Sixteen on Wednesday, May 21. 

For a complete a list of the ITA's Division II Central Regional Award Winners, visit this page. To view a complete list of all the National ITA Division II winners, click this link.