Kate Fakih (left) and Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer
Fakih, Lutkemeyer Named ITA Regional Award Winners
June 10, 2025 | Women's Tennis
TEMPE, Ariz. โ Kate Fakih and Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer of the UCLA women's tennis team were honored Tuesday by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), which announced its annual Regional Awards.
Fakih was tabbed the ITA Southwest Region Rookie of the Year, while Lutkemeyer received ITA Southwest Region Player to Watch recognition. Winners were voted on by Southwest Region head coaches. ITA National Awards will be published Thursday.
Fakih quickly made her presence felt during individual play, reaching the NCAA Championships doubles tournament final alongside partner Olivia Center. That proved to be a sign of things to come for the pair, which rose to No. 2 in the ITA doubles rankings, went 13-6 against nationally-ranked tandems and clinched a team-high nine doubles points en route to All-America accolades. Fakih also earned a spot in the NCAA singles draw and twice reached No. 33 in the ITA singles rankings. Her debut dual-match campaign saw her clinch a team-best six wins. Fakih logged team highs in total wins (59) and singles wins (28), while tying for the lead in doubles wins (31), dual-match singles wins (14) and dual-match doubles wins (17).
Lutkemeyer's breakout season culminated in an All-Big Ten First Team pick. She posted a majority of her dual-match singles results on Court 1, going 10-4, after spending much of 2024 on Court 5. Lutkemeyer rose to No. 16 in the ITA singles rankings, thanks in large part to her 13-7 record opposite nationally-ranked foes. The NCAA singles qualifier claimed the ITA West Sectional Championships singles title during the fall. Lutkemeyer was also a standout on the doubles courts, reaching No. 27 in the ITA rankings alongside partner Ahmani Guichard. Lutkemeyer tied for the team lead in dual-match singles wins (14) and dual-match doubles wins (17). Overall, she went 27-10 in singles play and 29-10 in doubles action.
Fakih was tabbed the ITA Southwest Region Rookie of the Year, while Lutkemeyer received ITA Southwest Region Player to Watch recognition. Winners were voted on by Southwest Region head coaches. ITA National Awards will be published Thursday.
Fakih quickly made her presence felt during individual play, reaching the NCAA Championships doubles tournament final alongside partner Olivia Center. That proved to be a sign of things to come for the pair, which rose to No. 2 in the ITA doubles rankings, went 13-6 against nationally-ranked tandems and clinched a team-high nine doubles points en route to All-America accolades. Fakih also earned a spot in the NCAA singles draw and twice reached No. 33 in the ITA singles rankings. Her debut dual-match campaign saw her clinch a team-best six wins. Fakih logged team highs in total wins (59) and singles wins (28), while tying for the lead in doubles wins (31), dual-match singles wins (14) and dual-match doubles wins (17).
Lutkemeyer's breakout season culminated in an All-Big Ten First Team pick. She posted a majority of her dual-match singles results on Court 1, going 10-4, after spending much of 2024 on Court 5. Lutkemeyer rose to No. 16 in the ITA singles rankings, thanks in large part to her 13-7 record opposite nationally-ranked foes. The NCAA singles qualifier claimed the ITA West Sectional Championships singles title during the fall. Lutkemeyer was also a standout on the doubles courts, reaching No. 27 in the ITA rankings alongside partner Ahmani Guichard. Lutkemeyer tied for the team lead in dual-match singles wins (14) and dual-match doubles wins (17). Overall, she went 27-10 in singles play and 29-10 in doubles action.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
UCLA W. Tennis Postmatch - Olivia Center & Kate Fakih (Nov. 23, 2024)
Sunday, November 24
Media Availability - Coach Sampras Webster (May 15, 2024)
Thursday, May 16
NCAA First and Second Rounds
Friday, May 03
Postmatch Interviews: Fangran Tian/Rance Brown (May 27, 2023)
Saturday, May 27