LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. — The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) named senior Nina Solovyeva (Houston, Tex. / Memorial) and sophomore Yoyo Benchetrit (Toronto, Ont. / St. Clemens) to Second Team All-SCIAC last week for their exceptional performances versus in-conference opponents. Soloveya was additionally awarded the conference's sole Character Award.

Solovyeva – the team's lone senior – won nine total singles matches this season and sported an impressive 5-2 record versus conference opponents. The veteran primarily played in the fourth spot, where she grabbed eight wins; she stepped up to earn a win on Court 3 in March as she topped a player from No. 39 Chapman, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

Benchetrit also logged a strong season, registering a phenomenal 11-3 record in 2023 with a near-perfect 4-1 record in SCIAC action. The sophomore began her season in the third spot where she cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 win before playing in the second spot for the remainder of the season. In the team's April 7 match versus Redlands, Benchetrit earned a massive 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over a player later named to First Team All-SCIAC; she earned a dominant 6-0, 6-0 win over Whittier's No. 2 player a week earlier.

The sophomore ends her season ranked No. 19 in the West region.

Doubles saw Solovyeva and Benchetrit pair up for nearly every match this year. Playing in the second spot, the duo won seven matches with three of them coming against SCIAC foes. The two players finished the season with a pair of wins over No. 36 Cal Lutheran (8-4) and No. 40 Occidental (8-3).

Head Coach Benay Weintraub was impressed with how the two players performed all season and was very happy to see the pair rewarded with the honors.

"It is very exciting for our team, but specifically Nina and Yoyo, for being recognized by fellow coaches and the conference office," said Weintraub. "I am very proud of how they have raised the standard for Caltech student-athletes and Caltech Tennis -- they are fearless competitors."

Solovyeva additionally was named the SCIAC Character Award winner, which is "presented to a senior who best exemplifies success on the court, in the classroom and with involvement in community and school service." The full description of the SCIAC Character Award can be read here.

Weintraub praised Solovyeva's work ethic and attitude all season, both on and off the court.

"Congratulations to Nina for earning the prestigious SCIAC Character Award," said Weintraub. "Caltech is grateful to compete in such an elite conference filled with talent, sportsmanship and enthusiasm. There was such a special group of seniors this year, so we are thrilled for Nina to be recognized for her on court success, ability to balance athletics and academics and her overall leadership. On behalf of Caltech Tennis, thank you Nina for all the positivity you have brought to the program. You have left an incredible legacy."

The senior plans to move to New York City following graduation where she will work as an analyst for the Systematic Active Equities Team at BlackRock.

The team finishes the season 4-3 in conference, tying for the conference's third-best record. At the time of this writing, the group ranked No. 5 in the region and No. 21 in the nation among all DIII institutions.

The group will now recover before preparing for ITA Regional play this fall. Follow the team on Instagram @caltechwten and Caltech Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @caltechbeavers.

To read the full release of Women's Tennis Award Winners, click here.