DENVER - SMU's Krystian Pfeiffer and Megan Russell have been named the Western Athletic Conference men's and women's tennis Players of the Week, respectively, for matches played April 16-22.
Pfeiffer, SMU's freshman standout, had his biggest week of the season as he won back-to-back conference matches for the Mustangs with match-determining performances at the No. 3 slot.
The Metroplex showdown between No. 8 SMU and No. 4 TCU on April 18 came down to Pfeiffer's match against TCU's Scott Eddins. With the score tied three all, Pfeiffer won the first set with ease, downing Eddins 6-3. Dropping the second set of the grueling two-hour plus match, Pfeiffer battled through break point after break point to win the third set 7-5 to ensure SMU's upset victory. Three days later, the Mustangs faced No. 36 Rice. Pfeiffer's 6-2, 6-3, win over fellow freshman William Barker sealed SMU's 19th victory of the season.
With a 2-0 record on the week, the native of Boleslawiec, Poland improved his overall record to 9-4 on the year.
Other athletes nominated include: Daniel Wajnberg, TCU.
Russell, a senior from Witchita, Kan., recorded her 17th victory of the year with consecutive road victories in matches against No. 52 Kansas and Missouri last weekend.
Russell, whose .708 winning percentage is second best on the team, opened Saturday's action with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win over the Jayhawks' Cheryl Mallaiah to give SMU the momentum. Less than 24 hours later, Russell made quick work of her opposition again, this time against the Tigers' Urska Juric (6-2, 6-3) to swing the match in SMU's favor.
With the win against Missouri, Russell enters the WAC Championship, which begins Thurs., April 26, having won seven of her last nine matches. She is two percentage points away from matching her .710 winning percentage from a year ago, which placed her tenth all-time at SMU in that category.
Other athletes nominated include: Simone Jardim, Fresno State.