NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion men’s tennis head coach Aljosa Piric was named the Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year for the Atlantic Region. The ITA is split up into 12 different regions, and select coaches in each region comprise the awards committee. National award winners for Division I will be announced on Tuesday, May 24.
After starting the season 0-2 and then 2-3, the Tennis Monarchs got on a roll, as they ended the year claiming victory in 19 of their last 21 matches and 21 of their last 24. At one point this season, Old Dominion won 12 in a row, climbing the national rankings to No. 28, while being named the ITA’s ‘Big Mover of the Week’.
Old Dominion took down a total of four nationally ranked opponents this season: No. 25 NC State (4-1), No. 34 Dartmouth (4-3), No. 69 UNCW (6-1) and No. 70 William & Mary (4-0).
Piric led the Tennis Monarchs to the Championship match of the Conference USA Tournament. A total of nine of players were recognized for making the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Four players received Conference USA Player of the Week throughout the season.
Old Dominion sophomore Adam Moundir was named Conference USA Player of the Year and Most Outstanding Singles Player of the C-USA Championship, while garnering All-First Team honors for both singles as well as doubles. Fellow ODU sophomore Jacob Nicolussi was named the C-USA Newcomer of the Year. Michael Weindl and Aziz Kijametovic represented the Tennis Monarchs on the All-Conference USA Singles Second Team.
In the fall, ODU’s double tandem consisting of Adam Moundir and Aziz Kijametovic claimed the Regional title and advanced to Nationals and the Billie Jean King Center in Flushing, New York.
ODU ended the season going 4-1 against conference opponents, a 21-5 overall record and a No. 47 national ranking.
DIVISION I MEN
Atlantic Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Aljosa Piric, Old Dominion University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Paul Tobin, Pennsylvania State University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Joao Monteiro, Virginia Tech
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Ryan Shane, University of Virginia
ITA Rookie of the Year: Constante De La Bassetiere, Pennsylvania State University
ITA Player to Watch: Collin Altamirano, University of Virginia
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Ryan Shane, University of Virginia
For a complete look at the all of the regional awards, please CLICK HERE.
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