TEMPE, Ariz. - The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) officially announced the 2025 ITA Junior College Women's National Award winners on Tuesday, May 6, with the Coastal Alabama South Women's Tennis program earning two of the six national honors. The awards honors both coaches and players for success both on the court and as leaders in local communities.
Coastal Alabama South Tennis Head Coach Kouri Allen has been named the 2025 ITA Junior College Women's Coach of the Year after being named ITA Region IV Women's Tennis Coach of the Year on Monday. Now in his fourth season leading the Coyotes, Allen has continued his year-over-year growth as a program leading the women's teams to a Top-20 NJCAA National Team Ranking for the entire spring season. Currently ranked No. 17 in the country, Coastal Alabama South finished 7-2 in Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) play.
Allen helped coach Emily Grubach to a First Team All-ACCC selection this season, while Julianne Legg and Anna Beth Hill each received Second Team All-ACCC selections this year as well. At the ACCC Tournament, Allen was named the 2025 ACCC Women's Coach of the Year as the Yotes finished as runners-up in the conference tournament. Outside of his on court success, Allen takes part in several ITA committees and is the President of the NJCAA Tennis Coaches Association.
Mya Schaffer from Coastal Alabama South has been named the 2025 ITA Junior College Women's Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner. She earned the ITA Region IV honor yesterday. As a sophomore, Schaffer, a native of Saraland, Ala., has helped her team place second in the region in back-to-back seasons and was an integral part of the Yotes achieving their highest finish at the national tournament in 2024.
Serving as a leader on the team, Schaffer works hard every day at practice, sets a good example for others by always being timely, and supports her teammates when they need it the most. Off the court, these same leadership qualities shine through at study hall and in the classroom where she mentors freshman teammates. Schaffer currently has a 3.5 GPA and is applying to nursing school this fall. In the community, Schaffer spends time volunteering with Dream Court, an adaptive tennis program, assisting at her local veterans home, and performing her civic duty by helping with local elections.
As a part of taking home this honor, Schaffer, along with the national winners from NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA, and NCAA Division III will travel to the U.S. Open in New York this August and participate in the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day.
For more information on the ITA National Awards, news, and more, visit the official Intercollegiate Tennis Association website.
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