They’re two of the top players in women’s college tennis, and graduate student Ayana Akli and junior Sarah Hamner give South Carolina an outstanding one-two punch at the top of the singles and doubles lineup. While both are fierce competitors on the court, and each could easily occupy a No. 1 spot in most lineups, they’re great friends off the court who just want to win.
“We’re best friends, so there is never any tension or bad blood,” said Hamner, who started her career with a bang after winning the 2021 ITA All-American Championship in singles as a freshman but was hampered by an ankle injury much of last year. “Either one of us could play at one or two and still play well. I don’t think it matters who plays one or two. We just want to do what’s best for the team. I think it’s unique that we have such a great friendship and we’re both doing so well. It’s very special. We both work hard for things we want, and she’s really, really funny! She’s a great person, and I love hanging out with her.”
“It’s good that we have each other because both of us can play one,” said Akli, who was the national runner up in singles at the ITA National Championships last fall. “That pushes us. She’s ranked No. 4 in the nation right now, so that motivates me when we play practice matches because I want to beat someone who is No. 4 or No. 1 in the nation and vice versa for her. We get to push each other and it’s great to have that competitive spirit.
“Off the court, we are best friends. We’re each other’s No. 1 off the court. We go to each other for everything. I think that translates with our tennis. I feel pressure when I play doubles with her because I don’t want to let her down, but I think because our relationship is so strong, we can always just talk to each other to work out those problems.”
Both have earned First Team All-SEC and All-American honors during their careers. Hamner became the first Gamecock to earn the No. 1 ranking in singles during the spring of her freshman year and was the SEC’s Freshman of the Year after posting a 35-9 record in singles. While the nagging ankle injury last year couldn’t keep her out of the lineup, it significantly impacted her game. She still mustered a good year going 19-12 in singles and 22-11 in doubles, but Hamner wasn’t at her best. This year, she feels like she is back to where she was before the injury and went from a No. 25 preseason ranking to No. 4 by the end of…