DENVER – Idaho’s Adrian Simon and Boise State’s Pichittra Thongdach have been named the Verizon Wireless Western Athletic Conference Tennis Players of the Week for March 1-7. This is the first honor of the season for both.
Simon, a senior from Sibiu, Romania, went undefeated in both singles and doubles last week as the Vandals picked up road wins over Montana and Montana State. In singles, he posted straight-sets victories at the Nos. 2 and 3 positions. In doubles, he and partner Lachlan Reed won twice at the No. 1 spot, winning 8-2 over the top team from Montana and 8-6 against Montana State. Idaho is currently ranked No. 66 nationally, the highest ranking in program history. The Vandals have won eight straight matches.
Thongdach, a senior from Petchaburi, Thailand, led Boise State to its fourth straight win, a 5-2 upset of No. 41 Utah last Sunday. She picked up wins in both singles and doubles. In singles, she defeated Utah's Anastasia Putilina at the No,1 spot, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. In doubles, she teams with Lauren Megale for a dramatic 8-7 win over Putilina and Paige Miles at the No. 1 position. Thongdach is currently 7-4 in dual matches and 8-3 in doubles playing at No. 1 positions for the Broncos. The Utah win marked Boise State’s first win of the season over a higher ranked opponent.
Other male nominees included: Fresno State’s Remi Boutillier defeated Andre Feliz of San Diego State to clinch the team victory… Leo Rosenberg of Hawai`i went 3-0 in singles last week ... Utah State’s Nikita Ryashxchenko went undefeated on the week in a pair of wins over College of Idaho.
Other female nominees included: Fresno State’s Laure Pola scored the Bulldogs’ only point in a loss to Brigham Young … Vivian ten Dolle of Louisiana Tech went undefeated in both singles and doubles last week … Hailey Swenson of Utah State picked up wins at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles vs. Montana State and College of Idaho.