DENVER – UTSA’s Matin Ayala and Idaho’s Almudena Sanz have been named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Tennis Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of April 15-21.
Ayala, a senior from Quito, Ecuador (Sek Los Valles), posted a pair of wins last week, helping the Roadrunners to a 4-3 over No. 75 Idaho. Ayala defeated Idaho’s Dmitry Perevoshchikov (7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4) at the No. 1 singles position. He and teammate Diogo Casa recorded their 16th victory at No. 1 doubles, outlasting Jose Bendeck and Cristobal Ramos Salazar, 8-4.
A junior from Oviedo, Spain, Sanz won at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles in Idaho’s only match of the week, a 5-2 win over Utah State, helping Idaho win its fourth match in five tries. Sanz overcame a 6-2 loss in the first set at No. 2 singles to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 and helped Idaho earn the doubles point with a tough 8-6 win at No. 1 doubles, despite playing on the road and at elevation.
Also nominated for the men: Idaho, Abid Akbar.
Also nominated for the women: Denver, Sophia Bergner; Texas State, Jessica Kahts.