Women’s Tennis Collects Three ITA Regional Awards

NORMAN — Oklahoma senior Emma Staker, head coach Audra Cohen and associate head coach Mariana Cobra were honored with Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Region awards, the organization announced Tuesday.

Staker received the Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, presented to the men's and women's national student-athletes who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.. A native of Tulsa, she becomes the second Sooner to earn the honor, joining Ivana Corley, who won the award in 2022.

Staker finished her senior season with a 24-11 overall singles record, including 16-6 in dual matches and 9-4 in SEC play. She led the conference in wins at the No. 4 singles position and reached a career-high ITA singles ranking of No. 51. In the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, she clinched Oklahoma's win over Denver with a 6-3, 6-1 victory on court four — her 102nd career singles win, breaking a program record that had stood since 1982.

Staker now holds the Oklahoma program record for career singles wins with a 102-43 mark. She also posted a 37-18 career doubles record and ranks in the top 10 in school history for singles win percentage and matches played.

Cohen was named ITA Central Region Coach of the Year for the second time, having previously earned the award in 2022. She led the Sooners to a 20-7 season, a top-three SEC finish and a No. 6 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. Now in her ninth season, Cohen's squad secured eight wins over top-25 opponents and advanced to the semifinals of the ITA National Indoor Championships. She is the first coach in program history to win the honor twice.

Cobra, in her fifth year as associate head coach, was named ITA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year. She guided three players to All-SEC honors, including Julia Garcia Ruiz, who was recognized as an All-American after reaching the national singles semifinal. A native of Brazil, Cobra has coached 49 all-conference players in her 18-year career.

Staker, Cohen and Cobra are now finalists for the ITA National Awards, which will be announced June 12.