By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports
Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Freshman Alberto Esteban received the Johnny Donnelly Maverick
Award and sophomore Alex
Arovin was named the team's Most Valuable Player as the
Tennessee Tech tennis team gathered recently for it's annual
post-season awards picnic. Head coach Kenny Doyle announced the
award winners.
John and Marty Donnelly, who established the Maverick Award in
1999, presented the award named in memory of their late son, Tech
Sports Hall of Fame member Johnny Donnelly.
"The Maverick Award is given for determination," said John
Donnelly. "It's an honor and privelege this year to present the
award to Alberto."
A first-year player from Madrid, Spain, Esteban played in the
No. 2 singles position for the Golden Eagles and at No. 1 in
doubles alongside Arovin. In singles action, he went 7-7 during the
fall tournament season, then produced an 8-7 record in the spring
dual match schedule, including an impressive 6-2 mark in Ohio
Valley Conference matches. In double play, he was 5-2 against the
OVC and went 11-12 overall. He was named first-team all-OVC in his
rookie season.
Arovin (left) won the MVP Award after posting a 22-10 record in
singles play and winning a combined 35 matches (singles and
doubles). A first-year Golden Eagle who transferred to Tech from
Oklahoma State, Arovin was 15-3 in singles matches during the dual
match season including an 8-1 record in OVC play, earning
first-team all-OVC honors in his debut. He went 15-2 at the No. 1
singles position. At No. 1 doubles, he produced a 13-11 record
including a 5-2 record against the league
Doyle also recognized the team's only outgoing senior, Vasily Eremeev, a four-year player from Krasnoyarsk, Russia, who received a photo plaque in recogntion of his Golden Eagle experience. Eremeev wrapped up play as a Golden Eagle with 47 career wins in singles play and 48 doubles victories, giving him 95 combined victories.
In Photos
Top right: Alberto Esteban receives the Donnelly Maverick Award from head coach Kenny Doyle (left), along with presenters John and Marty Donnelly.
Left:Alex Arovin receives the team's MVP Award
from coach Kenny Doyle
Bottom: Senior Vasily Eremeev accepts his senior
Photo Plaque from head coach Kenny Doyle
