Kate Fakih (left) and Olivia Center
Photo by: Scott Chandler
Freshmen Center, Fakih Named All-Americans
May 28, 2025 | Women's Tennis
GILBERT, Ariz. โ Freshmen Olivia Center and Kate Fakih of the UCLA women's tennis team were named All-Americans Tuesday by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). Each was honored for her doubles performance.
The criteria for ITA All-America singles honors include winning the ITA All-American Championship, advancing to the round of 16 at the NCAA individual championships, or finishing in the top 20 of the final ITA singles rankings. All-America recognition is awarded to doubles teams who win the ITA All-American Championship, reach the quarterfinals at the NCAA individual championships, or finish in the top 10 of the final ITA doubles rankings.
Center/Fakih won the ITA West Sectional Championships doubles crown during the fall, earning a spot in the NCAA individuals field. The pair continued its success there, winning four matches in four days to reach the final round before falling in a third-set, 10-point tiebreaker. During its run, Center/Fakih knocked off No. 5 Alina Mukhortova/Maria Sholokhova of Wisconsin and No. 18 DJ Bennett/Ava Hrastar of Auburn. The Bruins beat three top-20 tandems in all during the tournament portion of their schedule.
Slotted at No. 4 in the ITA doubles rankings to start dual-match play, Center/Fakih would eventually climb to No. 2. The duo's success carried into 2025, as it went 17-6 in dual matches for a 31-9 overall record. Center/Fakih went 13-6 against nationally-ranked pairs and clinched a team-high nine doubles points. Earlier Wednesday, it was announced by the United States Tennis Association that Center/Fakih would compete in the inaugural US Open Wild Card Playoffs.
The criteria for ITA All-America singles honors include winning the ITA All-American Championship, advancing to the round of 16 at the NCAA individual championships, or finishing in the top 20 of the final ITA singles rankings. All-America recognition is awarded to doubles teams who win the ITA All-American Championship, reach the quarterfinals at the NCAA individual championships, or finish in the top 10 of the final ITA doubles rankings.
Center/Fakih won the ITA West Sectional Championships doubles crown during the fall, earning a spot in the NCAA individuals field. The pair continued its success there, winning four matches in four days to reach the final round before falling in a third-set, 10-point tiebreaker. During its run, Center/Fakih knocked off No. 5 Alina Mukhortova/Maria Sholokhova of Wisconsin and No. 18 DJ Bennett/Ava Hrastar of Auburn. The Bruins beat three top-20 tandems in all during the tournament portion of their schedule.
Slotted at No. 4 in the ITA doubles rankings to start dual-match play, Center/Fakih would eventually climb to No. 2. The duo's success carried into 2025, as it went 17-6 in dual matches for a 31-9 overall record. Center/Fakih went 13-6 against nationally-ranked pairs and clinched a team-high nine doubles points. Earlier Wednesday, it was announced by the United States Tennis Association that Center/Fakih would compete in the inaugural US Open Wild Card Playoffs.
Players Mentioned
/ 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