Dasha Vidmanova Becomes First Georgia Bulldog to Win NCAA Triple Crown, Captures 2025 Honda Sport Award for Tennis

In a season that will echo through the annals of Georgia athletics for years to come, Dasha Vidmanova has solidified her legacy as one of the most decorated student-athletes in collegiate tennis history. The senior sensation from the University of Georgia was named the 2025 Honda Sport Award winner for tennis, a fitting capstone to a year — and career — defined by dominance, perseverance, and trailblazing excellence.

Vidmanova becomes the 21st Bulldog in school history to receive the Honda Sport Award, an honor presented annually by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) to the best female athlete in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports. More impressively, she is just the third woman in NCAA tennis history to accomplish the elusive NCAA Triple Crown — winning a team, singles, and doubles national title in her collegiate career. In doing so, she becomes the first Georgia player ever to achieve the feat, raising the bar for future generations of Bulldogs.

For the Georgia women’s tennis program, this moment resonates deeply. The program has had no shortage of legendary athletes and storied seasons, but Vidmanova’s campaign in 2025 was something extraordinary. She led the Bulldogs to a sweep of every major title on the calendar: the ITA National Team Indoor Championship, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament title, and the NCAA Championship. These weren’t merely wins — they were statements of intent and proof of dominance.

It wasn’t just her leadership and fire on the court that impressed coaches and fans alike — it was her ability to raise her game at the most critical moments. Throughout the season, Vidmanova played with the composure of a seasoned pro, the heart of a champion, and the tactical precision of a master strategist. Whether anchoring the team from the top singles position or locking in with her doubles partner to secure crucial points, she made the Bulldogs better every time she stepped on the court.

Her presence had a galvanizing effect on Georgia’s run through the NCAA Championship bracket. The Bulldogs, seeded third entering the tournament, knocked off powerhouse after powerhouse on their way to a national title. Vidmanova was instrumental in every round. Her singles performances were clinical, but it was her doubles prowess — often setting the tone with early leads — that gave Georgia the advantage time and again. In the NCAA final, she secured both a doubles point and a singles victory, sealing Georgia’s third national title in program history.

It was this blend of individual excellence and team success that made her Triple Crown accomplishment so remarkable. The NCAA Triple Crown is rare because it requires mastery of three vastly different competitive arenas. Winning in singles highlights personal skill, endurance, and mental fortitude. Doubles requires synergy, communication, and quick thinking. Team titles ask for leadership, chemistry, and consistency over weeks of tournament play. That Vidmanova thrived in all three dimensions speaks volumes about her versatility and her unwavering drive.

Off the court, her accomplishments were just as admirable. A standout in the classroom and a respected leader in the locker room, Vidmanova embodied what it means to be a student-athlete. Her maturity, humility, and tireless work ethic made her a fan favorite and a role model for younger players.

The Honda Sport Award is not just about athletic ability — it is about impact. Past winners of the award have gone on to become Olympians, Grand Slam contenders, and leaders in their respective sports. For Vidmanova, this honor is as much a recognition of her past success as it is an invitation to continue making history.

This marks the fourth time a Georgia women’s tennis player has received the Honda Sport Award and the first since 2017. That last winner, track and field star Kendall Williams, is now a professional heptathlete and Olympian — a path that may now await Vidmanova in her own right. The company she joins is elite and distinguished, a testament to the storied tradition of excellence in women’s athletics at Georgia.

“I’m truly honored and humbled to receive the Honda Sport Award,” Vidmanova said in a statement following the announcement. “This season has been unforgettable, and I couldn’t have done it without my coaches, teammates, and the incredible support from the University of Georgia community. This award is as much theirs as it is mine.”

Head coach Jeff Wallace, who has helmed Georgia’s program for decades, called Vidmanova “a generational talent.”

“She’s one of the best to ever wear the ‘G’,” Wallace said. “What she’s done this season is nothing short of historic. She’s lifted this program to new heights, and her leadership has been inspirational. Dasha represents everything we want our student-athletes to be — tough, smart, and selfless.”

As the women’s tennis world reflects on the 2025 season, Vidmanova’s imprint will remain unmistakable. Her dominance, grit, and poise under pressure were the fuel behind Georgia’s championship season. From the indoor championships in February to the grueling battles of May, she was the engine driving the Bulldogs’ machine.

This moment is also historic for Georgia as a university. Twenty-one Honda Sport Awards is a staggering number — a reflection of sustained success across multiple programs. Vidmanova’s win further establishes the Bulldogs as a powerhouse not only in tennis but in the broader landscape of collegiate women’s sports.

But awards, records, and titles only begin to tell the story of Dasha Vidmanova. What makes her legacy so special is that she gave her all to every match, lifted her teammates at every turn, and represented her school with class and pride. She leaves behind a program forever changed by her presence and a standard that will be the benchmark for years to come.

As she closes the chapter on her college career, her future remains wide open. Professional tennis is the natural next step, and with her record, her skill set, and her hunger to improve, the sky is truly the limit. Yet wherever her journey takes her, the legacy she forged in Athens will endure.

Congratulations to Dasha Vidmanova, 2025 Honda Sport Award winner for tennis, NCAA Triple Crown champion, and the pride of Georgia women’s tennis. You didn’t just make history — you became it.