AMERICUS, Ga. -- The Peach Belt Conference released its 2025 Women's Tennis Team of Academic Distinction, presented by Barnes & Noble College, on Tuesday afternoon. Junior Madeline Barnes and sophomore Melissa Duarte from Georgia Southwestern State University earned the recognition.

Barnes, an accounting major from Leesburg, Ga., earned her undergraduate degree this spring with a 3.60 grade point average. Duarte, a computer science major from Brasília, Brazil, completed her sophomore season with a 3.59 cumulative grade point average.

The Team of Academic Distinction is a part of the PBC's larger initiative to celebrate the academic achievements of PBC student-athletes.

To be eligible for the team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution and has reached sophomore athletic eligibility. The Peach Belt Conference sports communications professionals oversee the program.

For the entire 2025 PBC Women's Tennis Team of Academic Distinction, click here.