Denver ? Boise State’s James Meredith and Fresno State’s Renata Kucerkova have been named Western Athletic Conference Tennis Players of the Week, respectively, for Feb. 16-22.
Meredith, a freshman from Christ Church, New Zealand, pulled out a monumental 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 upset over Michael Shabaz of No. 1 Virginia. Shabaz is currently ranked as the No. 12 player in the nation. The freshman also defeated Dominic Pagon of No. 67 William and Mary to aid in Boise State’s 5-2 win. Meredith was the only Bronco to finish the two-match road swing with a 3-1 record, with his only loss coming at the No. 1 doubles spot to Virginia’s Singh/Barrick, the second-ranked doubles duo in the nation. He now owns a 7-3 singles record on the season to go along with a 6-4 doubles record since his Boise State career began in January. This marks the third time in six weeks a Boise State men’s student-athlete has won the weekly honor.
Kucerkova, a junior from Roznov, Czech Republic (T.G. Masaryk), defeated Claire Soper of No. 58 Saint Mary’s (CA) 7-5, 6-3 in the Bulldogs’ 7-0 shutout on Saturday. The win marked her fourth-straight victory over the past two weeks. After the latest ITA poll, the junior currently ranks No. 79 in the country. Her and partner Anastasia Petukhova, the No. 1 doubles duo in the nation, took down the No. 42 doubles team Alex Poorta and Claire Soper, 8-2. Kucerkova is the first Bulldog to win the weekly award during the spring season.
Other male nominees included: Fresno State’s Remi Boutillier, Idaho’s Artem Kuznetsov, Utah State’s Bryan Marchant and New Mexico State’s Jim Brouleau.
Other female nominees included: Idaho’s Alexandra Ulesanu, Utah State Hailey Swenson, Hawai?i's Sophie Kobuch and New Mexico State’s Sophia Marks.