Winchester, Va. - On Wednesday, Adelphi University tennis phenoms Marko Jovanovic and Barbie Quagliardi joined an elite class of Panthers to be named a First Team Academic All-American.

Jovanovic and Quagliardi are now among a short list of eleven celebrated Adelphi student-athletes to have ever received the CSC First Team Academic All-America citation.

Their own head coach was the last Adelphi tennis student-athlete to earn Academic All-America status. Rebecca Fakas, a former NE10 Player of the Year herself, received a Second Team Academic All-America citation in 2018.

Additionally, Jovanovic is the first Adelphi men's tennis player to be tapped as an Academic All-American since Andreas Hammar in 2013.

"I want to give recognition to all the people who helped me win this achievement. Even though it is an individual award, it wouldn't be possible without everyone involved," Jovanovic said. "A huge thank you goes out to my family, teammates and coaching staff, as well as the entire athletic department. I can't wait to see what else we accomplish as a team in the future, both on the court and in the classroom."

"Marko continues to be an exceptional student, teammate and player, who constantly looks to improve every day," Fakas stated. "We are proud that he received this special award for his athletic and academic achievements. I have no doubt that he has only scratched the surface of his potential, and we look forward to what lies ahead for him."

"I was so surprised when I was told I was an Academic All-American, especially after going through such a difficult time physically and mentally, with trying to balance work, an internship, tennis, an RA position, a master's degree, and an almost season- and career-ending injury," Quagliardi reflected. "I want to thank my mom, dad, and aunt for their support, my coaches, Rebecca, Karen and Danny for pushing me forward, and my teammates and friends for always rooting for me."

"We are so proud of Barbie for all that she has accomplished during her time at Adelphi. She has been a great student, teammate, leader, and is truly deserving of this recognition. This is quite a bookend to her wonderful career here at Adelphi," Fakas concluded.

College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) founded the distinguished Academic All-America program in 1952, and since then, has honored more than 38,000 deserving student-athletes from numerous sports across all divisions.

Jovanovic, the 2023 NE10 Player of the Year, earns the honor in his initial year of eligibility for the award, after attaining a 3.98 cumulative grade-point average in his major study of Accounting.

In only two seasons, Jovanovic has shined on the tennis court for the 'Cats, posting a career 26-14 singles and 20-13 doubles record. His elevated play at No. 1 singles this year helped the Panthers to their first-ever NE10 regular-season crown.

Meanwhile, Quagliardi -- who once debuted at Adelphi in 2019 and achieved NE10 Player of the Year and ITA All-America honors -- completed her master's degree in Business Analytics this spring with a near-flawless 3.99 cumulative grade-point average.

In a playing career that spanned four years with the Panthers, Quagliardi was a three-time NE10 First Team All-Conference performer. She has been twice named the recipient of the NE10 Sport Excellence Award for her efforts in the classroom.

For more information on College Sports Communicators and the prestigious Academic All-America program, please click here for more information.