This post was written by Hatchet reporter Aaron Esparza.
The Atlantic 10 recognized the men’s tennis team with eight postseason honors Monday after a season of consistent play that resulted in the program’s third conference championship in four years.
Though only fielding the minimum six players in their regular lineup, quality seemed to trump quantity as all six players came away with at least one award.
Junior Francisco Dias led the team, earning the title of the A-10’s Most Outstanding Performer. Dias went 17-10 in singles play this season, including four victories over nationally ranked opponents.
This marks Dias’ second year receiving the award, tying him for the most in program history with alumnus Matt Hane, who earned the honor in 2002 and 2004. Dias also earned a spot on the All-Conference First Team list.
Joining Dias on that roster was senior Nikita Fomin, freshman Julius Tverijonas and sophomore Danil Zelenkov. Fomin went 18-10 in singles play this season with his most memorable contribution coming by way of a championship-clinching win against VCU in the A-10 finals.
Tverijonas finished the season 13-6, proving that the lone freshman on the team was more than ready to compete. Zelenkov holds a team-best singles record of 21-7 as well as a current 18-match unbeaten streak.
Rounding out the lineup was the senior doubles duo of Viktor Svensson and Ulrik Thomsen, who were selected to the All-Conference Second Team. In singles play, Svensson finished the season 18-11 while Thomsen finished at 12-8. As a pair, the duo went 11-8.
The Colonials also had two selections to the all-academic team with Zelenkov and Thomsen, who hold a 3.96 and a 3.93 GPA, respectively.
The conference also gave a nod to head coach Greg Munoz, as he earned his third Coach of the Year award. In his eighth year at the helm, Munoz led the team to a No. 1 seeding in the A-10 Championships, its third conference title under his direction and a 17-7 record this season.
Up next for GW is the NCAA regional tournament. The Colonials will learn their seeding on Tuesday and prepare for the first round of play scheduled for May 9.
