Butler's Low, UIC's Smith highlight Horizon League Tennis
April 25, 2007
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Butler University senior James Low and University of Illinois at Chicago senior Callan Smith were recognized as the 2007 Horizon League Men's and Women's Tennis Players of the Year on Friday as the Horizon League announced this year's All-League teams and specialty awards winners at a pre-championship banquet.
In his final season at BU, Low has compiled an 11-9 overall mark at No. 1 singles, including a 4-1 mark in League play. At doubles, he has tallied 12 victories, plus a perfect 5-0 mark against loop opponents. In her second year at UIC after transferring from Marquette, Smith has notched a 5-1 record at No. 1 singles in League play, plus a matching 5-1 doubles mark.
Cleveland State University's Brian Etzkin was named Men's Coach of the Year after leading his Vikings to a highest-ever No. 2 seed in the Horizon League Championship. CSU recorded 17 wins this season, only one shy of the school record set in 1989. UIC leader Shannon Tully picked up her third consecutive Women's Coach of the Year award after guiding the Flames to another perfect League season. UIC is currently riding a string of 90 consecutive regular season and tournament victories over Horizon League competition and seeks its 11th straight League title.
Butler freshman Molly Casperson and UIC's Sebastian Lystad were recognized for their successful rookie campaigns with 2007 Newcomer of the Year honors. Casperson compiled a 13-10 overall record, plus a 5-2 mark in League play at No. 1 singles, while Lystad recorded 11 wins, including four against League foes, at the top two singles positions.
Cleveland State senior Sarah Galon and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Tim Prudlow were awarded the League other specialty award, the Herb Foster Sportsmanship Award, name in honor of the late coach who led Wright State University from 1996-2004. The award recognizes student-athletes who display admirable conduct both on and off the courts.
In addition to Low, Lystad and Prudlow, the other members of the men's All-League First Team include: Cleveland State freshman Phil Orno, Wright State junior Lance Koetter and Butler's Eric Breitenbach. Members of the All-League Second-Team are Youngstown State University's Scott Kathary, Cleveland State's Ryan Hamning and Brad Groleski, Tony Teufel of WSU, Butler's Evan West and UW-Green Bay's Mark Goldin.
Smith, Casperon and Galon were joined on the First Team All-League squad by Wright State senior Tiffani Foster, and Grace Gill-Morlis and Lubica Nadasska of UIC. UW-Green Bay's Heather Harding, University of Detroit Mercy sophomore Annie Moore, Butler junior Tiffany McLoughlin, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee freshman Kelly Drvaric, Charlotte Gibbons of Cleveland State and Gina Peretti of Youngstown State comprised the six member Second-Team All League honor roll.
The 2007 Horizon League Men's and Women's Tennis Championships begin tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. as the women take the courts for first round play. The men will begin at 11 a.m
