TEMPE, Ariz. -- For the second straight year, Villanova women's tennis has an ITA Division I Women's Regional award winner as assistant coach John Jayakumar was selected as an ITA Assistant Coach of the Year.

John is one of 13 recipients nationwide for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's 2026 assistant coach awards, earning the accolade for the Northeast Region.

Jayakumar has worked on the Villanova staff since 2024 and helped the program to a record-setting performance last season.

In 2025-26, Jayakumar assisted in bringing the 'Cats to the BIG EAST Quarterfinals, winning 12 matches on the year. The VU assistant oversaw Olivia Corcoran's rise into an All-BIG EAST Second Team member.

He becomes the second Wildcat in as many years honored on the ITA Northeast Regional awards, joining 2025 graduate Sophia Edwards.