DENVER ? Fresno State’s Melanie Gloria and Boise State’s Luke Shields have been named the Western Athletic Conference Women’s and Men’s Tennis Players of the Week, respectively. This is the second honor for both this spring.
Gloria, a sophomore from Montreal, Canada (Georges-Vanier), clinched two victories last week as Fresno State beat TCU and South Florida, both by the score of 4-3. In singles, No. 3 Gloria dominated TCU's Anna Sydorska, winning in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Against South Florida, Gloria trailed No. 18 Shadisha Robinson after losing the first set. But the sophomore rallied to win the match in three sets (5-7, 6-2, 6-2) and clinch a huge win over the Bulls. In doubles, Gloria and teammate Tinesta Rowe, playing at the No. 1 spot, beat TCU's seventh- ranked tandem of Cetnik and Sydorska 8-5. Then against South Florida, the Bulldog duo topped No. 26 Robinson and Duch, 8-5, as well.
Shields, a junior from Grand Junction, Colo. (Grand Junction HS), recorded three singles victories in straight sets and two doubles victories at the Blue Gray Tennis Classic at Montgomery, Ala., to lead Boise State to the semifinals. No. 14 Shields defeated No. 39 Wisconsin's Jeremy Sonkin 6-2 and 6-3. Shields then ousted Dias Doskarayev of No. 16 South Alabama 7-5 and 6-3, as the Broncos advanced to the semifinals. In the semifinal match against No. 14 Alabama, Shields dominated at the No. 1 position, as he earned the 6-1 and 6-2 victory over Sammy Struyf. Shields also combined with doubles partner Piotr Dilaj at No. 1 doubles where the duo defeated Wisconsin's Polley and Bauman 8-3, before knocking off Alabama's No. 1 doubles team of Thibaudeau and Buikema, 8-5. Boise State went 2-1 at the Blue Gray Classic including defeats of No. 16 South Alabama 4-3, and No. 39 Wisconsin 4-0.
Other men nominated: Andreas Weber, Hawai'i.
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