BOISE, Idaho –
The Western Athletic Conference 2011 men’s tennis award winners, as selected by the league’s head coaches, were announced tonight at the WAC Tennis Tournament banquet. Hawai‘i’s Dennis Lajola was named WAC Player of the Year, while Boise State’s Andy Bettles was selected as Freshman of the Year. Fresno State head coach Jay Udwadia earned Coach of the Year honors.
Lajola, who is currently ranked No. 114 nationally, posted a 13-11 mark this season at No. 1 singles. He went 5-1 in WAC play, with all five wins coming in straight sets. A two-time WAC Player of the Week, he is 4-8 on the season vs. ranked opponents.
Bettles went 20-7 on the year, playing at all six positions. He went 5-0 in WAC play, with wins at the Nos. 1-4 positions.
Udwadia led his team to the WAC regular-season title with a perfect 6-0 record. The Bulldogs posted a 14-87 overall record and earned the top seed in this week’s WAC Tournament. This is the first time he has earned the honor during his career.
2011 WAC Men’s Tennis Award Winners
First Team All-WAC Singles
Remi Boutillier, Fresno State
Marius Cirstea, Idaho
Rikus de Villiers, Fresno State
Damian Hume, Boise State
Dennis Lajola, Hawai‘i
Lachlan Reed, Idaho
First Team All-WAC Doubles
Rikus de Villiers/Remi Boutillier, Fresno State
Damian Hume/Scott Sears, Boise State
Dennis Lajola/Jon Brooklyn, Hawai‘i
Second Team All-WAC Singles
Jakob Asplund, Utah State
Jim Brouleau, New Mexico State
Wessim Derbel, Nevada
Leo Rosenberg, Hawai‘i
Orlando Superlano, New Mexico State
Arthur Surreaux, New Mexico State
Second Team All-WAC Doubles
Jim Brouleau/Matej Stakne, New Mexico State
Bryan Marchant/Sven Poslusny, Utah State
Jeff Mullen/Nathan Sereke, Boise State
WAC Player of the Year:
Dennis Lajola, Hawai‘i
WAC Freshman of the Year:
Andy Bettles, Boise State
WAC Coach of the Year:
Jay Udwadia, Fresno State