In a truly monumental achievement that will forever be etched into the illustrious history of University of Georgia athletics, the gifted tennis player Dasha Vidmanova has created history by becoming the first player in her program’s history to win the NCAA Triple Crown. This extraordinary feat, encompassing an NCAA team championship, an NCAA singles championship, and an NCAA doubles championship during her collegiate career, places her in an incredibly exclusive club of just three women in NCAA history to achieve such dominance.
Vidmanova’s 2024-2025 season, her senior year, culminated in a spectacular display of skill, tenacity, and leadership. As the No. 1 ranked player in both singles and doubles for the Georgia Bulldogs, she spearheaded a team that finished the year ranked No. 1 nationally with an impressive 29-3 overall record (13-2 SEC). This incredible team success included three major titles: the 2025 ITA National Team Indoor Championship, the 2025 SEC Tournament Championship, and, most significantly, the 2025 NCAA Championship.
The journey to the NCAA Triple Crown began in the fall of 2024 when Vidmanova secured the 2024-25 NCAA Singles Championship. This was a significant moment for the program, as it marked Georgia’s fourth NCAA singles title overall, joining the esteemed ranks of Chelsey Gullickson (2010), Angela Lettiere (1994), and Lisa Spain (1984). For Vidmanova, this individual triumph was a powerful testament to her relentless dedication and unparalleled skill, culminating in a dominant performance where she defeated Auburn’s DJ Bennett 6-3, 6-3 in the final.
Her individual success didn’t stop there. In the spring of 2024 (during her junior year), Vidmanova, alongside her then-partner Aysegul Mert, made history by winning the 2024 NCAA Doubles National Championship.1 This marked the first time a doubles pair in Georgia women’s tennis history had claimed an NCAA doubles title, showcasing Vidmanova’s versatility and her ability to excel in both individual and team formats. This doubles title laid the groundwork for what would become her historic “Triple Crown” quest.
The crowning jewel of her collegiate career, and the final piece of the Triple Crown, came with the 2025 NCAA Team Championship. Vidmanova led the Bulldogs to a resounding 4-0 victory over defending champion Texas A&M in the final.2 In a crucial match that set the tone, she defeated her rival and nemesis, Mary Stoiana of Texas A&M, 6-4, 6-4, securing Georgia’s first singles point and propelling her team towards their third NCAA title.3 Her performance throughout the NCAA Team Championship earned her Most Outstanding Player honors, as she won three singles matches and three doubles matches (with six unfinished) through six rounds of competition.
Vidmanova’s senior season was a statistical marvel. She concluded the year with an outstanding 32-5 overall record in singles, including a dominant 20-4 mark in dual singles match play and a 12-2 record during the SEC regular season. Her incredible form saw her go on a season-best 12-match win streak from February 28 to April 11.5 She amassed an impressive 24 ranked singles wins during her senior year, with seven of those coming against top-10 opponents, including two victories over No. 1/3 Mary Stoiana and one over No.6 2 DJ Bennett. On March 28, she achieved another career milestone, securing her 100th career singles victory as a Bulldog against No. 32 Alabama.
In doubles, Vidmanova was equally dominant alongside fellow senior Mell Reasco. They capped off the year with a remarkable 24-4 overall record, going 23-3 in dual doubles matches and 11-2 in SEC regular season play, finishing the regular season on a seven-match win streak. Her overall Bulldog career statistics are nothing short of legendary: 107-28 in singles (68-20 in dual singles) and 82-45 in doubles (60-34 in dual doubles).8 She earned 2025 NCAA All-Tournament Team honors and finished the year ranked No. 1 in both singles and doubles, achieving All-American status in both categories.
Beyond the numbers and the historic titles, Vidmanova’s impact on the University of Georgia women’s tennis program runs deep. She was named the 2025 Honda Sport Award winner for tennis, an honor recognizing the top collegiate female athletes.10 This made her the 21st Honda Sport Award winner in Georgia history and the fourth for women’s tennis. This award celebrates not just athletic excellence but also leadership, integrity, and academic achievement. Indeed, Vidmanova excelled off the court as well, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in finance and maintaining a commendable 3.70 overall GPA.
Her journey at Georgia, guided by Head Coach Drake Bernstein (who took over for the legendary Jeff Wallace at the start of the 2023-24 season), saw her grow from a promising international junior to an undisputed collegiate champion.12 She arrived at Georgia from Prague, Czechia, with a strong international junior background, having reached a career-high ranking of No. 21 in the ITF World Junior Rankings and No. 732 in the WTA Rankings, and competing in Grand Slam Junior events like the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. However, the transition to college tennis, with its unique team format and energy, was a new experience that she embraced and ultimately mastered.
Vidmanova’s ability to play “chess in the matches,” as noted by her coaches, adapting her powerful game to specific opponents, has been a hallmark of her success. Her mental toughness, resilience, and unwavering drive to win, often described as “not taking no for an answer,” allowed her to overcome challenges and reach the pinnacle of collegiate tennis.
The legacy of Dasha Vidmanova at the University of Georgia is now unparalleled. She has not only etched her name in program history with the first-ever NCAA Triple Crown but has also set a new standard for excellence, inspiring future generations of Bulldog tennis players to reach for similar heights. Her career is a testament to talent, relentless hard work, and the transformative power of collegiate athletics.
