DENVER - Idaho's Abid Akbar and Denver's Sophia Bergner have been named the Western Athletic Conference Men's and Women's Tennis Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Jan. 14-20.
Akbar, a senior from Islamabad, Pakistan (Roots School), won at the No. 1 spot in both singles and doubles in Idaho's only match of the week, a 7-0 sweep at Eastern Washington. He won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, at No. 1 singles and won 8-6 at No. 1 doubles with partner Marius Cirstea. The doubles duo is ranked No. 46 in the nation and No. 1 in the Mountain Region to start the 2013 season.
A senior from Schechen, Germany, Bergner defeated the ITA's 49th-ranked player in the nation, Samantha Adams, 7-5, 6-2 in No. 1 singles play. The Pioneers dropped their first spring match in Lubbock, Texas to the 21st-ranked Texas Tech Lady Raiders. Bergner teamed with Steffi Rath in doubles play at the No. 1 spot against Adams and Kenna Kilgo, dropping the match, 8-3.
Also nominated for the men: Utah State, Sven Poslusny.
Also nominated for the women: Utah State, Jaci West.