Intercollegiate Tennis Association Announces 2016 Division II Regional & National Award Winners

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced the 2015-16 Division II regional and national award winners on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at the 2016 Division II NCAA Tennis Championships in Denver, Colorado.
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Select coaches in the division comprised the regional and national awards committees.

NATIONAL AWARDS
WOMEN
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Christopher Frusci, Saint Leo University
Brought the Lions to their first SSC regular-season championship with an 8-0 conference record. Saint Leo concluded the regular season 20-1 and with a No. 2 national ranking. They also earned the No. 1 ranking in the South Region for the first time. Saint Leo earned victories over Armstrong State, Atlantic and Barry; the first time Saint Leo has ever beaten those opponents.

ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Clara Perez, Lynn University
Following a stellar collegiate career at Armstrong State, Perez joined the Fighting Knights this year as a graduate assistant coach. She helped secure the 10th Sunshine State Conference championship in program history and led Lynn to a 21-3 regular season record. In the fall, Lynn produced the doubles duo (Diana Bogolli/Rosalie Willig) that claimed the USTA/ITA Division II National Small College Championship and the program’s first Super Bowl title.

ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Iman Williams-Mulesa, Chestnut Hill College
Playing at the No. 3 singles position, Williams-Mulesa has compiled a 14-8 record. In doubles, she’s played at the No. 1 and 2 spots. Currently holds a No. 7 regional ranking in doubles and No. 19 in singles.

ITA Senior Player of the Year: Emma Onila, Barry University
Concluded the 2016 regular season with an 11-3 singles record and No. 3 national ranking. Also posted a 16-1 mark in doubles with Zuza Maciejewska to reach No. 8 in the rankings. A two-time All-American in singles and three-time All-American in doubles, she’s earned All-Sunshine State Conference honors in singles and doubles in each of the previous three years. Her 74 career doubles victories ranked third all-time in Barry history, while her 52 singles wins are 13th-best in the history of the program. Two-time Barry Female Athlete of the Year. Helped Barry to the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship.

ITA Rookie of the Year: Natalia Siedliska, Saint Leo University
Siedliska is currently ranked No. 5 nationally in singles and No. 2 in doubles. At the time of publication, she held a singles record of 15-2, and a 16-1 mark in doubles. She won the ITA South Regional Championship in singles. Siedliska defeated seven ranked opponents in singles this year.

ITA Player to Watch: Summer Wen, BYU-Hawaii
Wen is undefeated in both singles and doubles this season, with a combined record of 34-0. She’s ranked No. 1 in the nation in doubles with her partner Dallas Zhang, and also holds a No. 2 national ranking in singles.

ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Alyssa Savill, California University of Pennsylvania
In her first year with the program, the junior led the team with 55 community service hours. She displays great sportsmanship on the court and is always helping her teammates on and off the court.

MEN
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Christopher Frusci, Saint Leo University
Frusci has guided Saint Leo to the top of the Division II Oracle/ITA Collegiate Tennis Rankings. The Lions also reached the Division II NCAA Tennis Championships for the first time in program history. Saint Leo posted a perfect 12-0 record at home in 2016 and are currently 25-1 on the season, with its only loss coming at the hands of No. 2 Hawai´i Pacific.

ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Danny Hunt, Ferris State University
Hunt helped Ferris State earn its second consecutive GLIAC regular-season championship, posting an undefeated record in the process. Ferris State is currently ranked No. 2 in the Midwest Region and No. 35 nationally. Hunt has been instrumental in the day-to-day practice and conducted the majority of the team’s strength and conditioning this season. He’s also assisted in fundraising efforts, while serving as the Assistant Tennis Professional at the Ferris State University Racquet & Fitness Center. He’s also working towards his master’s.

ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Nicolas Uryson, Palm Beach Atlantic University
At the time of this announcement, has a 13-4 record in singles and 14-4 in doubles. Reached the quarterfinal round of the 2015 ITA Regional Championships and won the singles title at the Juan Varon Memorial Tournament. He is currently ranked No. 7 in singles and No. 19 in doubles. He was selected as the South Region Player to Watch in 2015.

ITA Senior Player of the Year: Jan Meyer, Azusa Pacific University
Meyer won the 2015 National Small College Championship in Division II singles. Currently the No. 2 ranked player in the nation, he entered the spring season atop the rankings. He entered 2016 postseason play with an 18-1 singles record. Was the PacWest Player of the Year and an ITA All-American in 2015. During his collegiate career has an overall record of 83-6.

ITA Rookie of the Year: Alexander Meyer, Hawai´i Pacific University
Playing at the No. 2 singles position, Meyer has recorded a 13-2 record and earned a No. 13 national ranking in the process. He’s also 18-2 at No. 1 doubles and holds a No. 3 national ranking with teammate Thibaud Berland. The duo held the No. 1 ranking earlier in the season.

ITA Player to Watch: Richard Ashforth, Francis Marion University
Ashforth has a 14-8 singles record (all at No. 1), is ranked 24th nationally and 7th regionally in singles. In doubles, he’s 18-6 doubles (all at No. 1), ranked 8th regionally in doubles. Earned First Team All-Conference for singles and Second Team All-Conference for doubles. He helped guide the team to a 15-9 record (a six-win improvement over 2015) and a No. 26 national ranking. Has career records of 42-13 in singles and 38-21 in doubles. Was a 2015 ITA All-American for singles play.

ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Ross Molinaro IV, Mercyhurst University
After tragically losing his father, Ross Molinaro III, in the Fall, Molinaro IV has remained an integral part of the Mercyhurst program, while at the same time assuming the head of his family’s household and helping with the family business. Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams made the 138-mile trip to attend the funeral, with not a single player missing, speaking to Molinaro IV’s impact on the tennis program. He remained committed to finishing his collegiate tennis career, as well as maintaining an outstanding GPA.

REGIONAL AWARDS
WOMEN
West Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Joaquin Lopez, Sonoma State University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Nikola Petrov, Hawai´i Pacific University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Jade Griffin, BYU-Hawaii
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Kristyna Hancarova, Hawai´i Pacific University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Syna Kayser, Hawai´i Pacific University
ITA Player to Watch: Summer Wen, BYU-Hawaii
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Kyra Scott, UC San Diego

Southeast Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Michael Cabana, Wingate University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Rodrigo Puebla, Flagler College
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Kealee Heffner, Tusculum College
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Carolina Prats-Milan, Armstrong State University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Alina Munteanu, University of Montevallo
ITA Player to Watch: Camila Tobar, Columbus State University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Giorgia Vitale, Columbus State University

South Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Chris Frusci, Saint Leo University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Clara Perez, Lynn University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Isabella Robbiani, Saint Leo University
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Emma Onila, Barry University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Natalia Siedliska, Saint Leo University
ITA Player to Watch: Klaudia Boczova, Nova Southeastern University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Petra Jurova, Nova Southeastern University

South Central Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Lisa Dausin, St. Mary’s University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Taylor Coffman, Midwestern State University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Jamie Lee Denton, St. Mary’s University
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Madeline Schorlemmer, Midwestern State University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Laura Galvan, St. Edward’s University
ITA Player to Watch: Paula Gutierrez, Cameron University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Cristina Lopez, St. Mary’s University

Midwest Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Jarrod Smith, Drury University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Kali Phillips, Grand Valley State University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Olga Martinsone, Ferris State University
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Hadeil Ali, Drury University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Hanna Volikova, University of Indianapolis
ITA Player to Watch: Caroline Nelhage, Tiffin University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Emma Schelble, Rockhurst University

East Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Jason Pasion, New York Institute of Technology
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Tom Abbott, Post University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Iman Williams-Mulesa, Chestnut Hill
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Linda Eliasson, Concordia College
ITA Rookie of the Year: Mana Seifaei, Merrimack College
ITA Player to Watch: Alessia Rossetti, New York Institute of Technology
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Ashley Loft, Southern New Hampshire University

Central Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Marc Kutz, Augustana University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Adrienn Kovacs, Southwest Baptist University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Paula Jimenez, University of Nebraska-Kearney
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Patricia Husakova, Northeastern State University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Kornelia Staniszewska, Augustana University
ITA Player to Watch: Kateryna Shkot, Oklahoma Baptist University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Jessa Richards, Augustana University

Atlantic Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Pablo Montana, California University of Pennsylvania
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Dave Jacobs, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Alanna McFail, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Kiefer Shaw, California University of Pennsylvania
ITA Rookie of the Year: Claudia Menes, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
ITA Player to Watch: Jarka Petercakova, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Alyssa Savill, California University of Pennsylvania

MEN
South Central Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Scott Linn, Midwestern State University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Colby Meeks, Cameron University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Spencer Weinberg, Colorado Mesa University
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Kyle Davidson, Midwestern State University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Vinicius Santos, Cameron University
ITA Player to Watch: Ricardo Pineda, St. Edward’s University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Kyle Davidson, Midwestern State University

West Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Hendrik Bode, Hawai´i Pacific University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Matus Mydla, Hawai´i Pacific University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Spencer Weinberg, Colorado Mesa University
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Kyle Davidson, Midwestern State University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Vinicius Santos, Cameron University
ITA Player to Watch: Ricardo Pineda, St. Edward’s University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Kyle Davidson, Midwestern State University

Midwest Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Malik Tabet, University of Indianapolis
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Danny Hunt, Ferris State University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Luke Hubert, University of Indianapolis
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Jack Joyce, University of Southern Indiana
ITA Rookie of the Year: Kay Bartmann, Drury University
ITA Player to Watch: Vasil Surduk, Ferris State University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Luke Hubbert, University of Indianapolis

South Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Chris Frusci, Saint Leo University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Andrew Dobbs, University of West Alabama
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Nicolas Uryson, Palm Beach Atlantic University
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Nicolas Uryson, Palm Beat Atlantic University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Alberto Barroso-Campos, Saint Leo University
ITA Player to Watch: Jose de Sario, Florida Southern College
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Fabian Lundburg, Florida Southern College

Central Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Mark Rosewell, Northwest Missouri State University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Luis Atimres, Northwest Missouri State University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Alvaro Riveros, Northwest Missouri State University
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Alvaro Riveros, Northwest Missouri State University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Sergi Fontcuberta, Northwest Missouri State University
ITA Player to Watch: Sherif Abohabaga, Southwest Baptist University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Vitor Oliveira, Ouachita Baptist University

Atlantic Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Louis Belt, Bluefield State College
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Alexandra Bush, Edinboro University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Travis Beck, Mercyhurst University
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Jacob Carey, Bluefield State College
ITA Rookie of the Year: Camilo Moncayo, Edinboro University
ITA Player to Watch: Vitor Albanese, Edinboro University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Ross Molinaro IV, Mercyhurst University

East Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Jason Pasion, New York Institute of Technology
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Frank Campolo, Southern New Hampshire University
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Tomas Lieb, New York Institute of Technology
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Rafael Ferreira, Concordia College
ITA Rookie of the Year: Pierre Kohler, Chestnut Hill College
ITA Player to Watch: Matej Selecky, New York Institute of Technology
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Ofir Ginat, Concordia College

Southeast Region
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year: Brett Simpson, Lander University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Rodrigo Pueblo, Flagler College
ITA Most Improved Player (Senior): Jannick Kumbier, Georgia College
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Pablo Gor, Armstrong State University
ITA Rookie of the Year: Kiranpal Pannu, Columbus State University
ITA Player to Watch: Richard Ashforth, Francis Marion University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award: Otakar Lucak, Armstrong State University