Zoe Hammond Named ITA Ohio Valley Region’s Most Improved Player – UK Athletics

LEXINGTON, Ky. — On Tuesday morning, the ITA announced Zoe Hammond of Kentucky women’s tennis as the 2025 Ohio Valley Region’s Most Improved Player.

Zoe Hammond had a standout year during her third season at Kentucky, leading the Wildcats from the first singles position during every match. She finished the season with a 16-10 overall singles record and a 9-7 mark in SEC play, competing with consistency and confidence against some of the nation’s top talent. Her season is highlighted by three top 25 wins, including two over top 5 opponents in No. 3 DJ Bennett of Auburn and No. 5 Elza Tomase of Tennessee. These notable wins earned her a career-high ITA singles ranking of No. 35 this season.

The growth from her sophomore to junior season on the court is proven by not just her leadership and confidence growth, but also her singles win percentage. With just a 50% win percentage in 2023-24, Zoe increased that to nearly 61% in the 2024-25 season.

Zoe has also been a steady contributor in doubles and the true definition of a student-athlete, both on and off the court. Zoe built major momentum and has proven herself to be not just a key member of the Wildcats team, but as one of the top players in the SEC, earning her Second Team All-SEC honors. In the classroom this year she also earned the 2025 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, Academic All-District, Academic All-American Third Team, and received her BA in Economics in three years.

This Most Improved Award shows the unwavering dedication Hammond has to better her game while giving all she can to the Wildcat program. Following a career-best year, Zoe Hammond will return to the courts at Kentucky next season and prove her way back to being one of the top women’s tennis players in the SEC.

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