Novak and Makoric Earn Big Ten Honors

The Big Ten Conference announced conference awards on Monday afternoon, following the conclusion of the Big Ten Tournament. Two Huskers received recognition from the conference. Kristina Novak was named First-Team All-Big Ten and Maja Makoric earned the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. 
 
Novak earned All-Big Ten Honors for the first time in her career in 2021. The Sophomore from Radovljica, Slovenia posted a 12-8 singles record playing out of the No. 1 spot in the lineup in every match. In doubles action, Novak teamed up with four different partners throughout the season to go 8-9 overall and 5-3 with partner Makoric at the No. 1 spot. 
 
Makoric earned Nebraska’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award which is given to individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The freshman from Dobrovo, Slovenia had a stellar debut season. In addition to going 5-3 with Novak and 7-4 overall in doubles, Makoric went 12-6 in singles play. 
 
Big Ten Awards
 
Individual Awards
Athlete of the Year: Alexa Noel, IOWA
Freshman of the Year: Alexa Noel, IOWA
Coach of the Year: Melissa Schaub, OSU
 
All-Big Ten
Alexa Noel, IOWA*
Elise van Heuvelen, IOWA
Ayana Akli, MD*
Chiara Lommer, MICH
Kari Miller, MICH*
Mary Lewis, MSU
Rachel Hanford, MINN*
Kristina Novak, NEB
Maria Shusharina, NU
Isabelle Boulais, OSU
Irina Cantos Siemers, OSU*
Gabby O’Gorman, PSU*
Ena Babic, PUR
Ava Markham, WIS
 
Sportsmanship
Ashley Yeah, So., ILL
Annabelle Andrinopoulos, Sr., IND
Samantha Mannix, Jr., IOWA
Minorka Miranda, Fr., MD
Merri Kelly, Fr., MICH
Mary Lewis, Sr., MSU
Juliet Zhang, Sr., MINN
Maja Makoric, Fr.., NEB
Hannah McColgan, Jr., NU
Irina Cantos Siemers, OSU
Seira Shimizu, Sr., PUR
Alexandra Nielsen, Fr., PSU
Maya Jacobs, Sr. RU
Charmaine Seah, So., WIS
 
*Unanimous selection