IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the men’s and women’s tennis players of the month for September 2026.

Men’s Tennis Player of the Month
Nikita Volonski, Sr., Tulsa
Volonski enjoyed a successful opening month with a 4-2 singles record that was highlighted by four top-125 ranked victories during the ITA All-American Championships at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa. Volonski’s wins included a three-set triumph over No. 67 Zoran Ludoski from Arizona (7-6(3), 1-6, 6-3), a sweep of No. 110 Mikeal Arseneault from Kentucky (6-4, 6-4), a win in three sets against No. 14 Eli Stephenson from Kentucky (3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (Ret,)) and a three-set win against No. 58 Bryce Nakashima from Ohio State (6-2, 3-6, 6-3).

Women’s Tennis Player of the Month
Uma Bakaityte, Sr., Rice
Bakaityte was a perfect 6-0 during the season’s first month, emerging undefeated during play at the Rice Invite in Houston. Bakaityte swept Athina Girgoriadou from Northwestern State (6-2, 6-2), Carrington Brown from SMU (6-3, 6-0) and Campbell Ricci from Tulane (6-3, 6-3) in singles play. Teaming with Josephine Kunz in double, the Rice tandem strung together wins against Sam Houston’s Veronika Muzychenko/Sara Savekova (6-1), SMU’s Brown and Brooklyn Olson (6-2) and Tulane’s Ricci and Natalia Perez (6-3).