Rice University Athletics
Schmidt Named Coach of the Year; Ratkovic and Schwartzman Earn All-Conference Honors
4/28/2026 10:30:00 AM | Women's Tennis
IRVING – Rice women's tennis lands two American All-Conference selections, while head coach Elizabeth Schmidt was named American Conference Coach of the Year, the league announced Tuesday.
Senior Darya Schwartzman and junior Divna Ratkovic earned spots on the all-conference team following standout seasons.
Ratkovic, a unanimous selection and the American Conference Most Outstanding Player, posted a 22-6 overall singles record and went 16-2 in dual matches, not dropping a conference singles match this season. She also compiled a 19-8 doubles record, including a 12-4 mark in duals. Ratkovic earned two Player of the Week honors this season and recorded five match-clinching points for the Owls.
Schwartzman enters the NCAA Tournament with a 15-6 overall singles record and an 8-6 mark in dual play. She has posted a 15-8 doubles record, including a 9-6 mark in duals. In doubles, she is ranked No. 51 alongside partner Uma Bakaityte.
Schmidt earned her first American Conference Coach of the Year honor and the sixth of her career. She previously was named Conference USA Coach of the Year from 2012 to 2016.
The Owls will face TCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, May 2, at 11 a.m. in Baton Rouge.
Senior Darya Schwartzman and junior Divna Ratkovic earned spots on the all-conference team following standout seasons.
Ratkovic, a unanimous selection and the American Conference Most Outstanding Player, posted a 22-6 overall singles record and went 16-2 in dual matches, not dropping a conference singles match this season. She also compiled a 19-8 doubles record, including a 12-4 mark in duals. Ratkovic earned two Player of the Week honors this season and recorded five match-clinching points for the Owls.
Schwartzman enters the NCAA Tournament with a 15-6 overall singles record and an 8-6 mark in dual play. She has posted a 15-8 doubles record, including a 9-6 mark in duals. In doubles, she is ranked No. 51 alongside partner Uma Bakaityte.
Schmidt earned her first American Conference Coach of the Year honor and the sixth of her career. She previously was named Conference USA Coach of the Year from 2012 to 2016.
The Owls will face TCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, May 2, at 11 a.m. in Baton Rouge.
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