Mississippi Christian University’s Buchanan Named NCAA Division II Women’s Tennis Student-Athlete of the Year
Clinton, Miss. — Emily Buchanan of Mississippi Christian University has been named the 2025-26 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for NCAA Division II, the organization announced Tuesday. Buchanan is one of four women’s tennis student-athletes nationwide to earn the honor across all NCAA and NAIA divisions.
The junior from Jackson, Mississippi, was also named to the Academic All-America® First Team. Double majoring in occupational therapy, kinesiology, and psychology, Buchanan excelled both on the court and in the classroom during the season. She helped lead the Choctaws to their deepest postseason run in program history, reaching the NCAA Division II National Semifinals.
During her time at Mississippi College, before the institution’s transition to Mississippi Christian University on June 1, Buchanan posted a 22-4 record at No. 1 singles and earned Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-America honors in singles and doubles. She finished ranked No. 4 nationally in both disciplines. Along with partner Ann Cabot Stockett, Buchanan compiled a 20-6 doubles record, including five wins over nationally ranked opponents.
Buchanan was one of 20 players named to the ITA Division II Women’s Singles All-America team and one of 10 doubles teams recognized on the ITA Division II Women’s Doubles All-America squad. She also received First Team All-Gulf South Conference honors. Her leadership helped Mississippi College finish the season with a 27-2 record and a No. 4 national ranking.
Her career accomplishments extend beyond her current program. At Dallas Baptist, she posted a 25-0 singles record as a sophomore and was named the Lone Star Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Year and Sportsmanship Player of the Year. She helped the Patriots win their first conference tournament championship and advance to the NCAA Division II Round of 16.
Buchanan is the first player in Mississippi Christian University history to earn the CSC Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year award. Her selection marks a historic milestone for Gulf South Conference tennis, as she is the first league student-athlete from either gender to earn this recognition since 2018 and only the sixth GSC athlete to do so in any sport.
The CSC Academic All-America program recognizes student-athletes across the country for their achievements in competition and academics. Buchanan’s selection to the NCAA Division II Women’s Tennis Academic All-America Team highlights her as one of the top student-athletes nationally this season.
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