IRVINE, Calif. – Men's tennis player Noah Zamora and women's soccer defender Suus de Bakker have been named UC Irvine's 2024-25 Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year the conference office announced Tuesday afternoon.
 
Two student-athletes from each Big West school – one male and one female – were honored by their institution and the conference for their accomplishments in competition, in the classroom, and in the community. The Big West will recognize the Scholar-Athletes of the Year in their Academic Honors show that will air on ESPN+ Wednesday, August 13, at 1 p.m.
 
Noah Zamora graduated in June as one of the most decorated student-athletes in UC Irvine men's tennis history. Zamora was a four-time all-conference selection in both singles and doubles, and was named the 2025 Big West Player of the Year. He led the Anteaters to three Big West Championships (2022, 2024, 2025), and to a share of the conference's regular-season title in 2023. As a senior, he clinched UCI's 4-3 championship victory over top-seeded UC Santa Barbara with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 comeback win against 63rd-ranked Gianluca Brunkow.
 
In the fall, Zamora qualified for the NCAA Singles Championships where he upset No. 13 Sebastian Dominko of Notre Dame to advance to the Round of 32. Zamora was featured in every ITA Men's Division I Singles Poll during the 2024-25 season with a high ranking of No. 31, and a final ranking of No. 66. He closed out his career with a 52-17 dual-match singles record. His .754 win percentage is tops in program history. Zamora was even better against Big West opponents where he went 25-1 in dual-match singles. He was unbeaten in his last 32 conference outings (including postseason), where he posted a 24-0 mark with eight unfinished matches. The business economics major was a three-time Big West All-Academic selection and made the Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll. He also served as a member of UCI's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
"Noah has represented our university with dignity, brought recognition to our athletic department, and earned respect for our tennis program," said UCI men's tennis head coach Mike Saunders. "His greatest contributions stem from his leadership. He leads with purpose, by example, and from the heart. His passion, work ethic, competitive spirit, integrity, and kindness have inspired his coaches, teammates, and fellow student-athletes alike. Noah's commitment, sacrifice, selflessness, and belief in his teammates have unified our team and imbued our journey with profound meaning. His legacy will enrich and empower our men's tennis program for years to come."

Suus de Bakker has been a vital contributor to the women's soccer team's great success during her four years with the program, helping them achieve three consecutive Big West Championships and NCAA Tournament berths as well as a regular season title in her freshman year. The three tournament runs include an upset first-round win in each and entrances into the Sweet Sixteen on two occasions. Her play on the field has shifted from a forward to a key component as a defender helping on 29 clean sheets over her 63 career matches. She's scored four times including a game-winner in the Big West First Round matchup, and later that postseason scoring against No. 1-seed Alabama. Her offensive mindset on the backline has added four assists for 12 total points in over 3,500 minutes of play.

The business economics major returns for her grad season following injuries that have ended each of her last two seasons. She's continued to excel academically throughout, earning Dean's List in eight different quarters, twice earning Big West Fall All-Academic recognition, a four-time Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient all with highest honors, and notable was a College Sports Communicator Academic All-District honoree as a junior. 

"I'm very honored to receive this award. Thank you to my teammates and coaches for their support and faith in me since the beginning. I couldn't have achieved this without them by my side," said de Bakker of the achievement.