BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its women's tennis postseason awards on Tuesday and the Gusties landed a total of 15 awards, highlighted by Alli Laux winning the 2024 MIAC Chris Evert Award. The award annually recognizes a senior women's tennis student-athlete who exhibits outstanding sportsmanship and exemplary athletic, academic, and humanitarian accomplishments.

Laux compiled a singles record of 18-11 and a doubles record of 20-5 this season. The senior has won more than 100 combined singles and doubles matches in her Gustavus career; however, her impact has been felt beyond the court as well. Laux has also excelled in the classroom, maintaining a 3.988 grade point average as she prepares for a career in education.
 
"Alli lives out her passion of serving others, specifically youth, through both her words and actions," Gustavus Head Coach Jon Carlson said. "She is exactly who every parent wants for their son or daughter in a teacher."
 
The three-time All-MIAC honoree has volunteered as a teacher's assistant, playground supervisor, and paraprofessional in the classroom at elementary & middle schools in Saint Peter and Mankato area school districts. She is the program director for "Gustie Buddies" which connects Gustavus students with youth in Saint Peter with developmental disabilities. In addition, she is a member of the Gustavus Pediatric Cancer Outreach Crew that weekly sends cards to children battling cancer. Laux is an officer in the Gustavus Student Educators Association and a member of the Kappa Delta Pi National Educators Honor Society. She teaches tennis in her hometown of Onalaska as well as at Gustavus. Laux is the sixth Gustie to receive the MIAC Chris Evert Award.

Four Gusties, including Laux, were named All-Conference. Molly Austin, Kaya De Bruijn, and Allison Szalay were all selected to the All-Conference Singles and Doubles teams. Laux was named All-Conference Singles and Honorable Mention Doubles. 

Molly Austin, a year removed from being named the MIAC Women's Tennis Rookie of the Year, led the team at the No. 1 spot for the majority of the year. Austin compiled an overall singles record of 14-17 and a conference record of 7-3. In the doubles, Austin split time with partners Szalay and De Bruijn. Austin and Szalay went 14-10 this season and 2-0 in the MIAC, while Austin and De Bruijn played to a record of 6-5 and 6-2 in conference matches. 

De Bruijn was a weapon for the Gusties in the three-spot, going a perfect 10-0 in conference matches with an overall record of 20-9 in singles play. The sophomore ended her year with nine consecutive wins. Szalay, the Gusties' mainstay at No. 2, finished 11-18 overall and 7-3 in conference singles play. 

Ella De Young and Pavla Yakimova were both named to the Honorable Mention Singles team, while Bethany Smith and Yakimova joined Laux on the Honorable Mention Doubles team. 

Two Gusties earned a spot on the 2024 MIAC All-Playoff Team, as De Bruijn and Laux each collected honors for their performance in the Gusties' two playoff matches against Bethel and Carleton. 

Carleton collected three of the five major awards, as Amelia Asfaw was named the Singles Player of the Year, Asfaw and Mary Hose the Doubles Team of the Year, and Luciano Battaglini was voted the MIAC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. Bethel's Michaella Sullivan was named the Rookie of the Year.