Exciting Honors for ACC Players: 2024-25 ITA National Awards Announced
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has made a remarkable statement this year, clinching four out of the nine prestigious 2024-25 ITA Division I Men’s National Awards on June 13. Highlighting their exceptional talent, Virginia’s Rafael Jódar soared to victory as the ITA Rookie of the Year, Florida State’s Corey Craig earned the title of ITA Most Improved Player, NC State’s Cris James was honored as the ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, and Wake Forest’s Tony Bresky took home the coveted ITA Coach of the Year award.
Rafael Jódar: Rising Star
Joining Virginia in January, Rafael Jódar’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. After a shaky start with a loss in his first match, Jódar quickly found his stride, finishing the regular season undefeated at No. 1 singles. This former Junior Grand Slam champion not only secured ACC Rookie of the Year honors but also earned First-Team All-ACC and ITA All-American accolades. Jódar concluded the season ranked No. 4 in the ITA year-end listings, boasting an impressive 14-2 record against ranked opponents. A highlight of his season was a remarkable win over No. 1 Timo Legout of Texas, which propelled Virginia to the NCAA Quarterfinals with an overall record of 23-8.
Corey Craig: The Comeback Kid
Corey Craig’s ascent to becoming the 2025 ITA Division I Men’s Most Improved Player exemplifies resilience and passion. After transferring from Boston University, Craig began his Florida State journey by impressively reaching the quarterfinals of the ITA All-American Championship, despite entering as a wild card. His hard work paid off as he earned First-Team All-ACC honors in his first season in the competitive ACC. Starting the fall unranked, Craig ascended to a remarkable No. 9 in the ITA Singles Rankings by December and finished the spring ranked No. 16. With 11 ranked match victories, including four top-25 wins, Craig solidified his reputation as a formidable contender.
Cris James: A Coaching Marvel
Playing a crucial role in NC State’s historic season, Cris James has been recognized as the 2025 ITA Division I Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year. His contribution was vital as NC State achieved unprecedented achievements this year, including three NCAA Singles Championship qualifiers for the first time in program history, a program-best ranking of No. 4 in the ITA standings, and a successful return to the ITA Indoor Championships after a five-year hiatus. The team celebrated 14 ranked victories, including seven against top-25 squads and four against top-10 teams, culminating in an impressive 13-match win streak during the spring.
Tony Bresky: Coaching Excellence
At the helm of Wake Forest’s incredible success, Tony Bresky was honored as the 2025 ITA Division I Men’s Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the Demon Deacons achieved an unprecedented sweep of the ACC Regular Season, the ITA National Team Indoor, and the NCAA Championships in 2024-25. Wake Forest set both program and ACC records with 40 wins, including 25 against ranked opponents— featuring 11 top-10 and seven top-5 victories. The team also established new benchmarks with 138-42 in singles wins and 79-21 in doubles. With a remarkable record of 369 career victories, Bresky now stands as the winningest coach in program history.
Celebrating Excellence in Tennis
The ITA continues to honor both coaches and student-athletes not only for their athletic excellence but also for their contributions to their communities. The Division I national awards encompass various accolades, including the ITA Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Most Improved Player, ITA Senior Player of the Year, ITA Player to Watch, and the ITA National Player of the Year.
For further details, check out the 2025 ITA Division I Men’s National Awards.
In conclusion, 2024-25 was a remarkable year for the ACC, showcasing the incredible dedication and talent of its players and coaches. The future of collegiate tennis is undoubtedly bright.
