WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The College Sports Communicators announced their 2026 Academic All-Americans in men's tennis today, and Williams College senior captain Simon Volkema claimed a spot on the third team.Â
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Volkema is a double major in art and economics. Playing at No. 1 singles for the Ephs with a 12-12 mark, Volkema was chosen for the All-NESCAC First Team and won 50 singles matches in his career, in addition to 56 doubles victories. He, along with senior Daniel Chen, earned All-NESCAC First Team Doubles honors as well, going 18-10 with a 12-5 mark in dual matches. The duo also competed in the NCAA Men's Tennis Individual Championships and finished the year as the eighth-ranked doubles team in Division III. Two years ago, Volkema helped Williams advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Championship with a straight-set win, plus won both of his doubles matches in the 2023 NCAA Championship to lend a hand in the Ephs reaching the quarterfinals.
Volkema is the sixth member of the Ephs' men's tennis program (and third in the last four years) to earn Academic All-America honors, joining Dennis Geronimus '95, Jeff Lefkowitz '02, Bryan Chow '13, Chase Cohen '23 and Matt Kandel '25.
Williams finished the 2025-26 season 24th in the national rankings with an 11-6 record.
