Leali Named GSAC Player of the Year; Sotelo-Mena Freshman of the Year

Coming off winning the first GSAC title in program history, the OUAZ women's tennis team received some postseason accolades on Tuesday as Giulia Leali was named the GSAC Player of Year and Johanna Sotelo-Mena the league's Freshman of the Year.

In addition to their awards, the Spirit duo were also each named to the GSAC All-Conference Team.

A senior from Mantova, Italy, Leali is the first player in program history to be named the GSAC's top player. She earns her second straight selection to the all-conference team, and she is the first from OUAZ to make the team multiple times.

Leali enters Tuesday's action at the GSAC Tournament with a 9-5 record in singles matches with five unfinished matches this season. Among those wins is a three-set decision over the No. 1 from NCAA DI Idaho State. She is also 10-7 in doubles play with a 7-4 mark when teaming with Antonia Kostoff.

Sotelo-Mena becomes the first from OUAZ to earn top freshman honors from the conference. From Guadalajara, Mexico, Sotelo-Mena leads the team with 12 singles wins – an OUAZ single-season record – playing in the No. 2 position. She finished GSAC play at 7-0. Sotelo-Mena adds a 10-6 record in doubles play, going 8-3 overall and 5-1 in conference while playing with Paulette Careaga.

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Players Mentioned

Giulia Leali: 5' 4"; Senior

Paulette Careaga: 5' 7"; Freshman

Antonia Kostoff: 5' 4"; Freshman

Johanna Sotelo-Mena: 5' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Giulia Leali
: 5' 4"; Senior

Paulette Careaga
: 5' 7"; Freshman

Antonia Kostoff
: 5' 4"; Freshman

Johanna Sotelo-Mena
: 5' 0"; Freshman