Sun Conference Men's Tennis Honors Announced
The Sun Conference announced the men's tennis All-Conference teams and individual award winners at the conference tournament banquet hosted by Embry-Riddle on Wednesday. Southeastern and Embry-Riddle each won two of the four individual awards as 13 individuals from five schools were named to the All-Conference teams.
Embry-Riddle head coach Dave Paschal earned Coach of the Year honors. The award is the 11th in his career at Embry-Riddle. Paschal led the Eagles to their 11th conference regular season title at 7-0 and are the top seed in this weekend's conference tournament. ERAU is ranked second in the NAIA and are 16-3 overall.
For the third straight season, Embry-Riddle's Deni Zmak was honored as the league's Player of the Year. A junior from Pula, Croatia, was a perfect 4-0 in conference play and recorded a 28-1 overall record. Zmak won the ITA Regional and National Championship and an ITA Superbowl Champion.
Gelawdiyos Haile and David Veliz of Southeastern were named the league’s Doubles Team of the Year. The pair was 5-1 in conference play and finished the year 12-1 overall in the number one doubles spot. The duo is ranked second in the region and is the number 18 team in the country.
Southeastern Andrew Dickens was honored as the Champions of Character winner. Dickens on Sunday mornings helps with the K-5 children's service at Highland Park Church and the high school ministry on Wednesdays. He recently was asked to join the FCA huddle on campus in a leadership position. Last summer, he went on a mission trip to Los Angeles with a group of athletes. In July, he spent three months in Boston as part of Athletes in Action summer project.
Dickens said, “A lot of why I do this is Christ-based and I feel if I have the time and energy, and the Lord creates the opportunity, then I need to do as much as possible. I don't like to waste my time, so it's good to be involved in as much as I can. I also enjoy working with kids to try to make a positive impact on their lives at an early age. “
“Andrew Dickens is, hands down, one of the finest young men I’ve had the honor to coach, said Coach May. He’s caring, kind, and strives to be an exceptional person in all areas of his life. The Champions of Character Award is one that clearly describes Andrew’s special gifts and talents. A true servant to his teammates.”
Student-athletes were also recognized for their achievements in the classroom as 13 Academic All-Conference awards were handed out on Wednesday. To qualify a student-athlete must have completed at least two full semesters at the nominating institution and carry a 3.5 or better cumulative grade point average.
Coach of the Year
Dave Paschal, Embry-Riddle
Player of the Year
Deni Zmak, Embry-Riddle
Doubles Team of the Year
Gelawdiyos Haile /David Veliz, Southeastern
Champions of Character Award
Andrew Dickens, Southeastern
All Conference Team
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|
Overall |
|
Conference |
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|
|
Singles |
Doubles |
Singles |
Doubles |
|
First Team |
|
|
|
|
|
Deni Zmak, Embry-Riddle |
28-1 |
26-7 |
4-0 |
4-2 |
|
Juan Bravo, St. Thomas |
|
|
|
|
|
David Veliz, Southeastern |
14-0 |
13-2 |
6-0 |
5-2 |
|
Alvaro Iturriaga, Northwood |
6-4 |
10-1 |
3-3 |
6-1 |
|
Jaime Sanchez-Canamares, Embry-Riddle |
17-4 |
25-8 |
2-0 |
4-2 |
|
Carlos Becke, Embry-Riddle |
16-3 |
15-3 |
7-0 |
6-0 |
|
David Uquillas, Northwood |
8-2 |
10-1 |
5-2 |
6-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Team |
|
|
|
|
|
Rodolfo Arreygue, Embry-Riddle |
20-2 |
11-3 |
7-0 |
5-0 |
|
Gelawdiyos Halie, Southeastern |
12-0 |
12-1 |
6-0 |
5-1 |
|
Rafael Lenz, Northwood |
9-1 |
10-1 |
6-2 |
6-1 |
|
Fabian Zierleyn, Embry-Riddle |
12-6 |
16-2 |
5-1 |
6-0 |
|
Luke de Caires, Embry-Riddle |
15-3 |
9-3 |
6-0 |
2-0 |
|
Kenta Naka, SCAD |
4-8 |
7-6 |
2-4 |
6-1 |
Academic All-Conference
Jaime Sanchez-Canamares Rios, Embry-Riddle
Juan Verberne, Embry-Riddle
Alvaro Iturriaga Romero, Northwood
Bobby Brand, SCAD
Joao Freitas, SCAD
Yulin Liu, SCAD
Zachary White, SCAD
Andrew Dickens, Southeastern
Gelawdiyos Haile, Southeastern
Ariel Listo, St. Thomas
Joshua Rosner, St. Thomas
Matias Dasso, St. Thomas
Juan Bravo, St. Thomas