ORLANDO, Fla. - The Sunshine State Conference Players of the Week have been announced, with Florida Southern College's tennis programs highlighting the week for the Moccasins. For the women, Josie Holderbach captures her first SSC Player of the Week honor, marking a major milestone in her standout season and recognizing her impact at the top of the lineup for the Moccasins. On the men's side, Mario Garoz earned his first weekly award of the 2026 season and the second of his career, continuing to build on his strong legacy in the program.
 
No. 23 Florida Southern College women's tennis, and junior standout Josie Holderbach, delivered in every big moment.

Ranked No. 38 in ITA singles, Holderbach competed at the No. 1 singles position all week, helping the 23rd-ranked Moccasins to a 3-1 record with wins over No. 16 Grand Valley State University (5-2), No. 16 Thomas Jefferson University (6-1), and No. 40 Tuskegee University, while narrowly falling to top-ranked University of West Florida.

Holderbach posted a 3-1 record in singles play at the top spot, highlighted by a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory over Ayawavi Vania Dotse of Tuskegee and an impressive straight-set win over No. 6 Carlota Verdu of West Florida, 6-1, 6-0. She also secured a ranked win against Mischa Briggs of Grand Valley, 6-3, 6-1. Her only setback came in a tightly contested battle against No. 45 Anouk Oderkerk of Jefferson, 5-7, 4-6.

In doubles action, Holderbach teamed up with Kennedi Brown to compete at the No. 2 spot. The duo battled throughout the week, earning strong wins over Jefferson (6-2) and No. 23 West Florida (6-3). They were leading Tuskegee 5-2 before the match went unfinished and fell in a close contest to Grand Valley.

Mario Garoz turned in a historic and dominant week to lead No. 9 Florida Southern College to a 4-1 team record, highlighted by ranked victories over No. 29 Grand Valley State University and No. 4 Wayne State University.

Individually, the No. 16-ranked singles player in the nation was unstoppable, going a perfect 5-0 in singles competition. His week included a straight-set win over No. 25 Zamaraiev of Grand Valley, along with additional victories against Jefferson, Tuskegee, and Wayne State. Against No. 2 University of West Florida, Garoz delivered one of the most impressive performances of the week — defeating No. 5 Rondon in a thrilling three-set comeback.

Garoz also etched his name into the program record books. His singles victory against Tuskegee University marked his 68th career singles win, setting a new program record. He would go on to extend that mark to 70 career wins by the end of the week.

The Toledo, Spain native was just as impactful in doubles play, teaming up with Edoardo Melindo for a 2-0 record, securing wins over ranked opponents from Grand Valley and West Florida.