Week 1: GPAC Tennis Players of the Week

(Sioux City, Iowa) – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and Hauff Mid-America Sports are proud to announce the following tennis players-of-the-week for February 23-March 1, 2026.  Hauff Mid-America Sports is the presenting sponsor of the 2025-2026 GPAC Players-of-the-Week and Players and Coaches-of-the-Year awards program.

Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Tennis Weekly Honors

Women's Tennis – Maria Purizaca, Doane University
Maria Purizaca of Doane University is this week's GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women's Tennis Player of the Week. Purizaca, a junior from Lima, Peru, did not drop a set between singles and doubles action on the week in Doane's win over Bethany (Kan.). In the six dual matches this season, Purizaca is 6-0 with all wins coming in straight sets.

Men's Tennis – Nick Velders, Concordia University
Nick Velders of Concordia University is this week's GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men's Tennis Player of the Week. Velders, a senior from Gelderland, The Netherlands, went 2-0 in singles and 1-1 in doubles on the week as Concordia went up against two opponents currently receiving votes in the NAIA coaches' poll. The Bulldogs reached 8-0 with their win over McPherson (Kan.) before being edged by Bethel (Kan.), 4-3. Velders is a returning NAIA All-American.