DENVER – New Mexico State’s Patrick Pfister and Grand Canyon’s Janaki Gunuganti have been named the Western Athletic Conference men’s and women’s Tennis Athletes of the Week, respectively, for March 10-16.
Pfister, a junior from Dresden, Germany (Sportschool Dresden), Pfister went 2-1 in singles play and 3-0 in doubles play during the weekend with the Aggies. He won his matches at the No. 5 spot against Sacramento State and Santa Clara in three sets, while losing just his first singles match of the weekend against UC Davis. In doubles play, Pfister and partner Paul Denele won two matches on the weekend at the No. 2 court. The pair defeated their opponents from UC Davis 8-3 and then came back the next day for an 8-4 win over Sacramento State. On the final day of the weekend, Pfister paired with Germain Degardin for an 8-4 win over the duo from Santa Clara.
Gunuganti, a senior from Banjara Hills, India, went 3-1 overall last week. Gunuganti went 1-1 in No. 3 singles play, defeating Pacific's Cristina Saenz de Buruaga 6-7 (8-10), 6-3, 6-1 and falling to Hawai'i's Martina Kostalova. Gunuganti and teammate Frederique Van de Velde earned wins at No. 2 doubles against both Pacific and Hawai'i, and have now won seven doubles matches in a row. Gunuganti’s loss to Kostalova broke an eight-match winning streak.
Other Men’s Nominees: Mario Noboa, Chicago State …, Grand Canyon … Uldis Gaismins, Kansas City … Zach Koskane, Seattle U … Ricardo Hopker, Texas-Pan American.
Other Women’s Nominees: Corrine Wurden, Seattle U … Reegan Greenwood, Texas-Pan American.