CLEMSON, S.C. — Samantha Buyckx, Ali DeSpain and Jenna Thompson each secured a spot on the All-ACC Academic Team for the 2021-22 season. It is the first such recognition for all three of the women.
A marketing and economics major from Atlanta, Buyckx had a standout season in her first year at Clemson. She boasts a 14-5 singles record in dual matches to go along with her extremely impressive 21-10 doubles record overall. Her and DeSpain were selected to the NCAA Doubles Tournament after putting together a 6-3 record as a pair in conference play.
DeSpain is a sports communications major from Hilton Head Island, S.C. She finished the season 18-9 in doubles matches and 12-19 in singles play. Twice, DeSpain came up big for the Tigers, securing the last point in 4-3 wins including the clinch against Notre Dame that earned Head Coach Christy Lynch her highest ranked win at that point.
Thompson was a stellar singles player all season long for Clemson, sporting an 19-8 record. As an accounting major hailing from Charlotte, N.C., Thompson was a rock at the No. 3 singles spot, earning an 8-4 record including her clinch against Virginia Tech in the first round of the ACC Tournament.
Minimum academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team are a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one’s academic career for undergraduate students. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the All-ACC Academic Team.
