COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Junior Alex Chen received the
Johnny Donnelly Maverick Award and senior Josh Girling was
named the team's Most Valuable Player Thursday afternoon at the
Tennessee Tech's tennis team's annual post-season awards
picnic.
John and Marty Donnelly, who established the Maverick Award, were
at the event to present the award named in memory of their son,
Tech Sports Hall of Fame member Johnny Donnelly.
"The Maverick Award is given for determination, and this year it is
truly appropriate," said John Donnelly. "Alex lost his father just
before the OVC Tournament, but he still went out and won his match
to clinch the first round win for his team. He played well at No. 1
all year, but it was really his determination and effort in the OVC
Tournament that was the deciding factor."
Chen's father Sergey died suddenly just days before the OVC
Tournament. After discussing the situation with coach Kenny Doyle,
Chen, who hails from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, chose to stay and
compete with his team in Paducah. The opening match was tied at 3-3
when Chen clinched his No. 1 singles victory to allow the Golden
Eagles to advance. He also won his doubles contest.
Overall Chen posted an 11-12 record in singles play in 2010-11,
including a 9-5 mark in dual matches during the spring. He was 4-2
in OVC regular season contests. It raised his career record in
singles play to 38-38 his three seasons at Tech.
Doyle presented Girling (left) with the MVP award. The senior from
Winchester, England, was 17-12 overall this season in singles play
and 10-11 in doubles for a combined mark of 27-23. He bumped his
career combined totals to 95-73, including 54-42 in singles
action.
"Josh had a great fall season, getting some wins over ranked
players," said Doyle. "He played some of the best tennis of his
career in the fall, then he had a very solid spring."
Doyle also recognized the team's two outgoing seniors, Girling and
Lloyd
Harris.
"I really couldn't have asked for a better home, a better
experience that I have had here," said Harris, an EXPW major from
Johannesburg, South Africa who will attend commencement Saturday
before heading to graduate school at Duke University. "These guys
have become my family and I'm really going to miss them."
April 16, 2011
Golden Eagles fall to Austin Peay in OVC semi-finals
April 15, 2011
Chen's win lifts Tech to semifinals at OVC Tournament
April 14, 2011
Girling, Chen, Eremeev and Kirstein earn all-OVC honors
April 1, 2011
Golden Eagles dominate Tigers in Nashville
March 31, 2011
Tech drops OVC tennis dual to Austin Peay
March 30, 2011
Golden Eagle tennis team faces three OVC tests on the road
March 27, 2011
Men’s tennis falls to Charlotte at Radford
March 27, 2011
Tech Tennis Match Canceled Due to Weather
March 25, 2011
No. 63 Radford claims 7-0 victory over Golden Eagle netters
March 20, 2011
Golden Eagles dominate Panthers in home opener
February 26, 2011
Golden Eagles open OVC play with win at Jacksonville State
February 25, 2011
Tennis team opens conference schedule Saturday at Jax State
February 13, 2011
Kirstein gets clincher as Golden Eagles edge Gardner Webb, 4-3
February 12, 2011
Georgia State claims 6-1 win over Golden Eagles in Atlanta
February 5, 2011
Chen clinches as Golden Eagle tennis team edges Chattanooga, 4-3
February 4, 2011
Golden Eagles and Chattanooga meet for 50th time in series
January 28, 2011
Golden Eagle tennis team downed by No. 58 Memphis
January 27, 2011
Golden Eagle tennis team plays at No. 58 Memphis Friday night
January 23, 2011
Middle Tennessee earns 6-1 victory over Golden Eagle tennis squad
January 22, 2011
Golden Eagle tennis team falls to No. 39 Vanderbilt
January 21, 2011
Golden Eagle tennis team opens spring schedule this weekend
November 7, 2010
Men finish fall season at Crimson Tide Invitational
November 4, 2010
Three Golden Eagles to play at Alabama Crimson Tide Invitational
October 24, 2010
Kirstein nets two wins, leads Tech trio at USTA/ITA Regional
October 21, 2010
Three Golden Eagles playing in ITA Regionals
October 20, 2010
Three compete in USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championship
October 19, 2010
Coquerille, Harris and Thatcher to represent Tech at NCAA Forum
October 10, 2010
Tech wraps up weekend at Elon Invitational
October 7, 2010
Tech competes in Elon Invitational
September 30, 2010
Back in action at UTC Fall Classic
September 26, 2010
Tech makes showing at Southern Intercollegiate Championships
September 23, 2010
Two Golden Eagles playing at Southern Intercollegiate Championships
September 20, 2010
Girling captures his flight, Golden Eagles fare well at Indiana
September 17, 2010
Five set to compete in IU Invitational
September 17, 2010
First day of IU Invitational
September 12, 2010
Pair of Golden Eagles battle in finals at UNCG Invitational
September 11, 2010
Two advance to semifinals of UNCG Invitational after rain delay today
September 10, 2010
Golden Eagle tennis team opens fall slate in North Carolina
August 4, 2010
Looking Back: A peek into the Golden Eagle photo archives