DENVER – Idaho’s Odon Barta and Victoria Lozano has been named the Western Athletic Conference men’s and women’s Tennis Athletes of the Week, respectively, for Jan. 27-Feb. 4.
Barta, a sophomore from Budapest, Hungary (Texas A&M Corpus Christi), won three of his four matches during the week, going 2-0 in singles and 1-1 in doubles. He picked up Idaho’s only point in a 6-1 loss against Fresno State on Saturday, winning a third-set tie break at the No. 2 singles spot. He moved up in the lineup to the No. 1 singles spot for Sunday’s match at Portland State, where he won in straight sets. He also teamed up with Cesar Torres for a 6-2 doubles win at PSU.
Lozano, a senior from Guadalajara, Mexico, went a perfect 4-0 on the week competing at the No. 1 spot in both singles and doubles. Lozano won a three-setter at No. 1 singles in Idaho’s 6-1 win over Eastern Washington, and cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 win the next day at Gonzaga. Lozano improved to 3-1 in singles and 3-1 in doubles on the season, and the Vandals improved to 3-1 overall.
Other Men’s Nominees: Kevin Lynch, Seattle U … Chetan Panditi, Texas-Pan American.
Other Women’s Nominees: Faith Huckabee, Chicago State … Priscilla Annoual, Grand Canyon … Gaby Pintos, Kansas City … Katia Stavroulaki, Texas-Pan American.