Uslu named VaSID All-State

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech's Özlem Uslu was selected to the 2022-23 VaSID (Virginia Sports Information Directors) Women's Tennis University Division All-State first team, as announced by the organization Thursday afternoon. In addition, she was tabbed Rookie of the Year in the Commonwealth.

In her first year in Blacksburg, Uslu took command of Court 1 for the Hokies going 9-5 after recording a 7-2 mark on Court 2, leading Tech in total singles victories. The Gebze, Turkey native produced five ranked wins including a victory against No. 7 Carol Lee of Georgia Tech that came in span of three ranked victories, all against ACC foes.

Uslu continues to add to her accolades this postseason following a a standout freshman campaign in which she was named All-ACC Second Team, ACC Player of the Week, All-ACC Women's Tennis Academic Team, Academic All-District team, and ITA Rookie of the Year for the Atlantic Region.

In addition, Uslu represented the Hokies at the NCAA Singles Championships, advancing to the second round after defeating No. 39 Kylie Collins of LSU. The freshman phenom finished at No. 54 in the final ITA rankings and became just the second freshman in program history to reach the NCAA Singles Championships.

VaSID names 44 all-state teams in 23 sports each year, an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in Virginia.

2022-23 VaSID Women's Tennis University Division
Player of the Year: Tatsiana Sasnouskaya, Old Dominion
Rookie of the Year: Özlem Uslu, Virginia Tech
Coach of the Year: Dominic Manilla, Old Dominion

First Team
Singles
Hedda Gurholt, William & Mary
Natasha Subhash, Virginia
Maria Julianna Parra Romero, Liberty
Daniela Voloh, James Madison
Tatsiana Sasnouskaya, Old Dominion
Özlem Uslu, Virginia Tech

Doubles
Mélodie Collard, Julie Adams, Virginia
Tatsiana Sasnouskaya, Sofia Johnson, Old Dominion
Daniela Voloh, Daria Munteanu, James Madison

Second Team
Singles
Esther Lovato, Liberty
Elisa Van Meeteren, William & Mary
Kylie Moulin, James Madison
Sofia Johnson, Old Dominion
Sara Ziodato, Virginia
Marina Davtyan, Liberty

Doubles
Natasha Subhash, Elaine Chervinsky, Virginia 
Tiffany Nguyen, Maria Julianna Parra Romero, Liberty
Ine Stange , Sofiya Kuzina, William & Mary