COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Sophomore men's tennis player Dean O'Brien
took home his second honor this week after moving back into the
rankings at No. 110. For his efforts last week, going 2-0 against
conference opponents, he as been named the OVC Men's Tennis Player
of the Week. It is the fourth time this season he has been named to
this award by the conference office.
"Dean is a tremendous player," said coach Dan Silverstein. "To earn
this award four times in one season is something special."
O'Brien completed a perfect OVC season going 8-0 at the top singles
sport. He was only pushed to three sets in the conference twice
this season and only five times total. In only the second spring
match of the season he defeated then ranked No. 29 Clint Bowles of
Florida State 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. The win boosted him into the national
rankings at No. 107 before boosting it up to No. 102 less than two
weeks later.
This season included a 15-set winning streak from a straight sets
win at Chattanooga until the match against Eastern Illinois.
O'Brien looks to lead in this week's OVC Championships which begins
on Aprl 17. Tech (11-7, 6-2 OVC) is seeded third in the tournament
and will face sixth-seeded Eastern Illinois at 2 p.m. in the first
round. Earlier this season the Golden Eagles swept through the
Panthers 7-0 winning all doubles and singles matches.