Women's Tennis adds four-time All-American Sarah Hamner to coaching staff
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | Women's Tennis
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Head Women's Tennis Coach Per Nilsson announced today the hiring of four-time All-American, six-time NCAA Tournament qualifier, and three-time Academic All-American Sarah Hamner as assistant coach.
"Sarah is one of the fiercest competitors I've ever run into," said Nilsson, "and she will fit in perfect with what we are doing at Florida. She understands what it takes, and will be a great asset for the team."
'I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity to join the Gators and be a part of such a special program," said Hamner. "I'm looking forward to learning, growing as a coach, and supporting the athletes as they pursue their goals on and off the court. I can't wait to get started!'
Hamner played at number one and two singles and number one doubles at the University of South Carolina from 2021-25 where she helped the Gamecocks to four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Hamner was named the No. 1 newcomer by the ITA ahead of her freshman, and she did not disappoint earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament in singles, and advancing to the Round of 32. In the process, she became the first Gamecock since 2009 to record at least 30 wins in a season, finishing with the second-most victories (35) in program history.
Along the way, Hamner became the first player in program history to win the ITA All-American National Championship in singles, and ranked as high as No. 1 in the national rankings, becoming the first member of the Gamecocks to occupy that spot. She was named an ITA All-American in singles, while earning All-SEC First Team accolades as well as SEC Freshman of the Year, and ITA Carolina Region Rookie of the Year nods at season's end.
The following season, Hamner again played in the NCAAs in singles, and teamed with Ayana Akli, making it all the way to the Quarterfinals. An injury kept her out of the lineup for much of the non-conference schedule, but she still became the first player in program history to win the ITA Carolina Regional in singles, and was named to the All-SEC First Team, and an ITA All-American in doubles.
As a junior, Hamner returned to Round of 32 in the NCAAs in singles, and she and Akli advanced to the Round of 16 on the doubles side. Her 10-1 singles record in SEC play was the best conference winning percentage in program history, and she earned her third straight All-SEC First Team selection after recording her second 30-win season.
During her final year in garnet and black, Hamner again advanced to the Round of 32 in singles at the NCAA Tournament. She defeated the number one player in the country during the season, en route to her second ITA All-American honors in singles and doubles, as well as her fourth All-SEC First-Team selection.
Hamner graduated with 106 career singles wins, including a 30-12 mark in SEC dual match play, and also collected 71 doubles victories, and a 25-14 record in conference.
Academically, in addition to her three CSC All-America honors, the Fort Collins, Colo. native was a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete honoree, and a three-time SEC All-Academic Honor Roll performer.
COLLEGIATE AWARDS
"Sarah is one of the fiercest competitors I've ever run into," said Nilsson, "and she will fit in perfect with what we are doing at Florida. She understands what it takes, and will be a great asset for the team."
'I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity to join the Gators and be a part of such a special program," said Hamner. "I'm looking forward to learning, growing as a coach, and supporting the athletes as they pursue their goals on and off the court. I can't wait to get started!'
Hamner played at number one and two singles and number one doubles at the University of South Carolina from 2021-25 where she helped the Gamecocks to four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Hamner was named the No. 1 newcomer by the ITA ahead of her freshman, and she did not disappoint earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament in singles, and advancing to the Round of 32. In the process, she became the first Gamecock since 2009 to record at least 30 wins in a season, finishing with the second-most victories (35) in program history.
Along the way, Hamner became the first player in program history to win the ITA All-American National Championship in singles, and ranked as high as No. 1 in the national rankings, becoming the first member of the Gamecocks to occupy that spot. She was named an ITA All-American in singles, while earning All-SEC First Team accolades as well as SEC Freshman of the Year, and ITA Carolina Region Rookie of the Year nods at season's end.
The following season, Hamner again played in the NCAAs in singles, and teamed with Ayana Akli, making it all the way to the Quarterfinals. An injury kept her out of the lineup for much of the non-conference schedule, but she still became the first player in program history to win the ITA Carolina Regional in singles, and was named to the All-SEC First Team, and an ITA All-American in doubles.
As a junior, Hamner returned to Round of 32 in the NCAAs in singles, and she and Akli advanced to the Round of 16 on the doubles side. Her 10-1 singles record in SEC play was the best conference winning percentage in program history, and she earned her third straight All-SEC First Team selection after recording her second 30-win season.
During her final year in garnet and black, Hamner again advanced to the Round of 32 in singles at the NCAA Tournament. She defeated the number one player in the country during the season, en route to her second ITA All-American honors in singles and doubles, as well as her fourth All-SEC First-Team selection.
Hamner graduated with 106 career singles wins, including a 30-12 mark in SEC dual match play, and also collected 71 doubles victories, and a 25-14 record in conference.
Academically, in addition to her three CSC All-America honors, the Fort Collins, Colo. native was a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete honoree, and a three-time SEC All-Academic Honor Roll performer.
COLLEGIATE AWARDS
- 4x All-SEC First Team – 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- SEC Freshman of the Year – 2022
- SEC All-Freshman Team – 2022
- 2022 Honda Sport Finalist for Tennis – 2022
- ITA Carolina Region Rookie of the Year – 2022
- ITA Carolina Region Singles Champion – 2023
- ITA All-American Singles Champion– 2021
- 2x ITA All-American in Singles – 2022, 2025
- 2x ITA All-American in Doubles – 2023, 2025
- 3x SEC Academic Honor Roll – 2022, 2023, 2024
- 3x ITA Scholar-Athlete – 2022, 2023, 2024
- 3x CSC Academic All-District – 2023, 2024, 2025
- 3x CSC Academic All-American – 2023 (3rd team), 2024 (1st team), 2025 (2nd)
- 4x NCAA Singles Tournament Qualifier – 2022, 2023, 2024, 2024 (fall)
- 2x NCAA Doubles Tournament Qualifier – 2023, 2024
- SEC Community Service Team – 2025
- SEC Player of the Week (Feb. 26, 2025)
- ITA Carolina Region Senior Player of the Year – 2025
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