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."