The Stories of Our 2025 Tennis Conference Champion
How our tennis players became conference champions
Winning a conference title is one of the biggest achievements as a college athlete. A conference in the U.S. is a league where different universities compete against each other within the same region. Claiming the championship means a lot to both the team and the school. This season, several of our tennis players played a key role in leading their teams to victory in their respective conference championships across the U.S.
We spoke with four of our standout tennis players about their experiences in winning a conference championship.
Paula Schaefer | Boise State (NCAA Division I)
First-year student Paula Schaefer had an unforgettable debut season competing at Boise State, helping her team win the 2025 Mountain West Conference Championship. According to Paula, the key to their success came down to a shared mindset they called GAP: Grit, Accountability, and Presence.
“We committed to that mindset from the very beginning of the season and applied it to every training session, every weights session, and every single match,” Paula shared. “It became part of our team culture and pushed us to give our best every day.”
Team spirit and coaching support also played a huge role throughout their season.
“We always had each other’s backs and stayed focused on our goals. Our coaches constantly challenged us and kept us mentally strong. They believed in us from day one. Our coach even said we were going to do it—and we did!”
Paula will never forget the moment they clinched the title.
“My teammate, roommate, and fellow first-year student came back from 2–5 down in the third set—it was unreal. When she won, we all ran onto the court, screaming, hugging, crying… It was full of raw emotion. Holding the trophy with my team in my very first year of university tennis… I couldn’t have asked for a better season.”
The celebrations didn’t stop there. When the team returned to Boise, the entire football field, known as The Blue, was lit up in honour of their achievement.
For future student-athletes, Paula’s advice is full of perspective and passion:
“Enjoy every single moment and don’t take anything for granted. Represent your university in the best way possible and give back everything that’s been made possible for you. Have fun and trust yourself—you’re capable of more than you think.”
“Even though I’ve only been here for a year, I can already say—this is the best time of your life! Don’t ever doubt yourself—just do your thing and enjoy the ride.”
Tom Gutermann | Spring Hill College (NCAA Division II)
Tom Gutermann from Spring Hill College helped secure the SIAC Conference Championship—the team’s third consecutive title—while also being named SIAC Player of the Year.
Reflecting on the final moments of the championship match, Tom shared:
“In those final moments, it was a mix of nerves, excitement, and pure adrenaline. I was trying to stay focused on every point, but deep down, I could feel how close we were to achieving something special. When we finally clinched the win, it was just an overwhelming feeling of pride—for myself, my teammates, and everything we’d worked so hard for all season.”
Being named Player of the Year made the season even more memorable:
“This award means a lot to me—it’s a recognition of all the time, effort, and dedication I’ve put into the sport. But it also reflects the support I’ve had from my coaches, teammates, and everyone around me. It motivates me to keep pushing and improving.”
Looking ahead, Tom is already focused on the future both personally and with his team:
“Individually, I’m looking forward to building on this momentum and continuing to grow as a player. As a team, we’re already setting new goals and getting ready to come back even stronger next season. We know there’s still more to achieve, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”
Katharina Weber | Mississippi College (NCAA Division II)
For Katharina Weber, winning the Gulf South Conference Championship with Mississippi College was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
“It was an incredible experience—tough matches, lots of emotion, and a great team spirit throughout. Playing at such a high level and winning in the end made it all feel really worth it.”
This win marked a historic moment for the team.
“Our university won the conference championship for the first time ever, which makes this season really special.”
When asked about her favourite memory, Katharina didn’t hesitate:
“The moment we won the final and all ran onto the court to celebrate together—the energy and emotions in that moment were something really special. It’s a memory I’ll never forget.”
Linn Goerdes | University of North Georgia (NCAA Division II)
Linn Goerdes and her team at the University of North Georgia also made history this season by winning the conference championship and earning their ticket to nationals in Orlando. For Linn, the foundation of their success came down to one word: trust.
“I think the key factor that made our team so successful this season was that we just never stopped believing,” Linn shared. “Last year, the girls made it to the Final Four, so even though we were a completely new team, our coach knew what we were capable of.”
Starting the season with plenty of unknowns, the team stayed grounded in their coach’s message: “Trust the process. We’re completing a puzzle, and once it’s done, you’ll see what you’re capable of.” The result speaks for itself: conference champions with a shot at the national title.
Linn also tells us about the team’s celebration after the championship win. There was music, dancing in the changing room, and even a few happy tears. It’s a moment she says gave her goosebumps.
“We also have a tradition: when we win something big, we empty a water cooler on our coach—of course, we had to do it!” she recalled.
These championship wins are a testament to what’s possible with hard work, resilience, and the right support system. We’re incredibly proud of our athletes and can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve next. Their stories remind us why university sport is such a special experience.
If you want to follow their examples and compete in the United States, fill out our free evaluation. Our experts will inform you about your chances of getting a sports scholarship!
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Lorena Montañés
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