ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Navy standout sophomore Emma Gu has been named the 2026 Patriot League Women's Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the league office announced Friday, as Gu becomes the first player in program history to claim the award.
 
Gu and fellow sophomore Grace Li were also selected to the six-member Academic All-Patriot League Team, marking the first time either Midshipmen has earned the honor and just the third time the program has had multiple academic all-league selections in a season.
 
Establishing herself among the league's best and earning All-Patriot League First Team distinction, Gu tallied a 25-13 singles mark in her sophomore campaign, going 15-8 in the spring while posting a 5-1 league record. Taking control of the No. 1 singles flight for Navy, Gu went 10-6 in the top spot and outlasted returning all-league selections in first-teamer Maggie Forkner of Lehigh, Bucknell's Abby Platt and twice against Colgate's Amelia Galin. Gu also went 8-9 in doubles play this year, tallying a 5-5 mark alongside former club partner and fellow sophomore Molly Bellia.
 
In the classroom, the sophomore has posted a 4.00 GPA as a physics major, receiving ITA Scholar-Athlete and Patriot League Academic Honor Roll accolades in 2024-25. Gu has also been named to the Academy's Superintendent's List three times and to the Commandant's List three times.
 
A breakout sophomore season had Li pick up All-Patriot League Second Team laurels, going 22-6 on the singles court and notching a 16-6 doubles mark. Going 16-6 in spring singles action, Li found her role at the No. 3 position with an 11-3 record that included a perfect 6-0 league mark and beating returning all-league selection Emma Sy of Army twice. Winning her first eight singles matches of the season, the sophomore rebounded from a four-match slide by posting a 14-match singles winning streak from Feb. 15 to April 18 that ranks second in program history. Li also found a doubles home alongside junior Julia Lee, as the pairing registered an 11-6 overall record and a 4-1 league mark.
 
In the classroom, the sophomore holds a 3.88 GPA as a data science major, garnering ITA Scholar-Athlete and Patriot League Academic Honor Roll nods last season. Li has also been named to the Academy's Superintendent's List three times and to the Commandant's List three times.
 
Women's Tennis Scholar Athlete of the Year – Emma Gu, Navy
 
Patriot League Women's Tennis Academic All-League Team
Gabriella Mikaul, Boston University
Abby Platt, Bucknell
Ashley Zilora, Holy Cross
Mia Matriccino, Loyola Maryland
Emma Gu, Navy
Grace Li, Navy