Rhode Island women’s tennis achieved a sweep of the Atlantic 10 weekly awards, with Grace Darcy named Player of the Week and Kajsa Helgesen recognized as Rookie of the Week. This marks the first time Darcy has received this honor in her career. She joins teammates Nikki Ferando, who has won the award twice, and Sophie Herrman, who has earned it once.
Darcy delivered an undefeated performance over the weekend, finishing 4-0. She won both of her matches at No. 3 singles, conceding only six games in straight-set victories against Le Moyne’s Stella Simeonova (6-2, 6-0) and Siena’s Andrea Vargas (6-0, 6-4). In doubles play, Darcy partnered with Anastasia Pettersson at No. 2 doubles to defeat teams from Le Moyne (6-2) and Siena (6-1).
Helgesen was honored as Rookie of the Week for the third time this season. Only Katharina Spieth has earned more rookie honors for Rhode Island, winning four times during the 2024-25 season.
Over the weekend, Helgesen also went unbeaten in four matches while allowing just two games total. At No. 4 singles she defeated Le Moyne’s Paula Casares (6-1, 6-0), then followed up with a shutout win over Siena’s Reegan Mullaney (6-0, 6-0) at No. 5 singles. Helgesen now leads Rhode Island with ten singles victories this year. Teaming with Nikki Fernando at No. 1 doubles, Helgesen helped secure wins over pairs from Le Moyne (6-0) and Siena (6-1).
Head coach Jonas Brobeck is now in his third season leading Rhode Island. Since his arrival, players have received a total of fourteen player or rookie weekly honors; by comparison, there were twenty-five such honorees in the previous twenty-five years.
“There are no quotations provided in this press release.”
