University of Georgia Athletics
Jokic Named ITA Southeast Regional Rookie of the Year, Bernstein Assistant Coach of the Year
May 21, 2018 | Women's Tennis
ATHENS, Ga. – Freshman Katarina Jokic and associate head coach Drake Bernstein have been named Intercollegiate Tennis Association Rookie of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year for the Southeast Region, the league announced Monday.
Jokic's honor marks back-to-back years a Bulldog has been named ITA Rookie of the Year; in 2017, sophomore Elena Christofi claimed the award. Jokic and Christofi also nabbed consecutive ITA Southeast Regional Singles Championships in each of their freshman fall campaigns.
The 2018 SEC Freshman of the Year headlined the Bulldogs at the top singles court, earning All-Freshman and First Team All-SEC status with a team-leading 31 singles wins. Jokic checked in as high as No. 2 in the ITA/Oracle Rankings this season, notching seven victories against top-25 opponents.
Equally as effective in doubles, Jokic paired with senior Mariana Gould for a team-best 28 doubles wins. The 26th-ranked tandem landed on the National Team Indoor All-Tournament on the second doubles court.
At the NCAA Championships in Winston-Salem, N.C. last week, the freshman defeated South Carolina's No. 59 Gamarra Martins in three sets to send Georgia to its first quarterfinals since 2015. Her season will continue in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.
Bernstein earns his third ITA Southeast Regional Assistant Coach of the Year selection. During his six-year tenure, the Georgia squad has registered 131 wins and been ranked as high as No. 1 during two seasons. Bernstein has continued Georgia's 32-year regime in the NCAA Championships, developing five Bulldogs with nine All-American honors.
A member of the NCAA Championship Bulldogs in 2008, Bernstein spent one season at Alabama before returning to Athens as an assistant coach to head coach Jeff Wallace. Bernstein was promoted as the associate head coach in June of 2015.
The ITA is made up of 12 regions – there will be another round of voting to determine the national winners.
Four Bulldogs continue in the individual portion of the NCAA Championships from May 23-28. Jokic, who was selected in the 9-16 singles group, will be joined by Gould in doubles. The 10th-ranked duo of Christofi and freshman Morgan Coppoc will also represent the Bulldogs in the doubles championship.
Jokic's honor marks back-to-back years a Bulldog has been named ITA Rookie of the Year; in 2017, sophomore Elena Christofi claimed the award. Jokic and Christofi also nabbed consecutive ITA Southeast Regional Singles Championships in each of their freshman fall campaigns.
The 2018 SEC Freshman of the Year headlined the Bulldogs at the top singles court, earning All-Freshman and First Team All-SEC status with a team-leading 31 singles wins. Jokic checked in as high as No. 2 in the ITA/Oracle Rankings this season, notching seven victories against top-25 opponents.
Equally as effective in doubles, Jokic paired with senior Mariana Gould for a team-best 28 doubles wins. The 26th-ranked tandem landed on the National Team Indoor All-Tournament on the second doubles court.
At the NCAA Championships in Winston-Salem, N.C. last week, the freshman defeated South Carolina's No. 59 Gamarra Martins in three sets to send Georgia to its first quarterfinals since 2015. Her season will continue in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.
Bernstein earns his third ITA Southeast Regional Assistant Coach of the Year selection. During his six-year tenure, the Georgia squad has registered 131 wins and been ranked as high as No. 1 during two seasons. Bernstein has continued Georgia's 32-year regime in the NCAA Championships, developing five Bulldogs with nine All-American honors.
A member of the NCAA Championship Bulldogs in 2008, Bernstein spent one season at Alabama before returning to Athens as an assistant coach to head coach Jeff Wallace. Bernstein was promoted as the associate head coach in June of 2015.
The ITA is made up of 12 regions – there will be another round of voting to determine the national winners.
Four Bulldogs continue in the individual portion of the NCAA Championships from May 23-28. Jokic, who was selected in the 9-16 singles group, will be joined by Gould in doubles. The 10th-ranked duo of Christofi and freshman Morgan Coppoc will also represent the Bulldogs in the doubles championship.
Players Mentioned
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