DENVER – Seattle U’s Kevin Lynch and New Mexico State’s Susana Alcaraz have been named the Western Athletic Conference men’s and women’s Tennis Athletes of the Week, respectively, for April 7-13.
Lynch, a senior from Colorado Springs, Colo. (Cheyenne Mountain HS), was perfect in four matches last week as Seattle U claimed wins over Pacific Lutheran and Portland State. Lynch earned two No. 1 singles wins in straight sets, including a victory on senior day in his final SU home match, 6-4, 6-3, vs. Pacific Lutheran’s Sam Stadter. Lynch teamed with Jason Bediones to earn a No. 1 doubles victory in each dual, including the lone doubles win of the match against Portland State. Lynch finished the 2013-14 regular season with 13 total singles victories, 12 during the spring dual season.
Alcaraz, a junior from Aguascalientes, Mexico, won both of her singles matches at the No. 2 spot, and along with doubles partner Marie-Pier Thiffault, went 1-1 in doubles. She earned a two-set win (7-6, 7-5) against Arkansas State’s Janie Nowland to help NM State to its 6-1 win, while she and Thiffault defeated an ASU duo 8-3 at the third court. Alcaraz also earned a three-set victory (6-7, 6-4, 6-4) in singles at the second court over Idaho’s Almudena Sanz as NM State defeated the Vandals 4-3.
Other Men’s Nominees: Sergiu Muresan, Chicago State … Jose Bendeck, Idaho … Andrey Smirnov, Kansas City … Paul Denele, New Mexico State.
Other Women’s Nominees: Galina Bykova, Idaho.