ITA Most Improved Senior Award
Anika Yarlagadda from the University of North Carolina has been named the 2023 ITA Most Improved Senior Award winner.
Yarlagadda's improvement this season was a big part in the Tar Heels success over the entire season. Prior to the 2022-23 season, she had never ranked higher than No. 57 in the ITA Singles Rankings and this season climbed as high as No. 18 in the rankings.
After not reaching an ITA national event during the first few years of her career, Yarlagadda made the ITA All-American Championships and ITA National Fall Championships this season and immediately impressed. At the All-American Championships she reached the Semifinals and at the 2022 ITA National Fall Championships she reached the consolation finals.
After hardly breaking the lineup her first two seasons, Yarlagadda went 29-6 in singles this season and had notable wins over No. 7 Dasha Frayman (Princeton), No. 27 Rebeka Mertena (Tennessee), and No. 54 Julia Adams (UVA) to name a few.
Yarlagadda earned Third Team All-ACC honors for her play this season.
A Letter From Head Coach Brian Kalbas
We talk frequently about how all growth requires change, and Anika’s improvement is due to her openness for change.
She puts in the time necessary for getting better and is willing to work on changes in her game that don’t immediately feel comfortable. Anika is incredibly deserving of this award, and it will be exciting to see her growth continue next year.