Flawless play in singles from UC Irvine junior Nico Mertens and Cal State Fullerton freshman Danielle Pham earned the duo recognition from the Big West Conference.
Mertens Extends Singles Winning Streak To Eight
UC Irvine junior Nico Mertens (Hilden, Germany/Nicholls State) earned his first career Big West Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week award as his stellar singles play helped the Anteaters extend their winning streak to 10 straight.
Mertens, who has won eight consecutive singles contests at the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 spots in the lineup, defeated all three opponents in straight sets as UCI knocked off Green Bay (4-3), Eastern Washington (6-1) and Purdue (4-2). His 6-1, 6-3 victory over Purdue’s Mateus Silva helped the ‘Eaters to the team win at the Oracle Collegiate Challenge in Indian Wells.
Mertens also took the court with fellow German Sebastian Heim for their lone doubles match against the EWU tandem, winning 6-0 at No. 3.
Others nominated: None
Pham Goes 2-0 In Singles
Cal State Fullerton freshman Danielle Pham (Irvine, Calif./University HS) notched the Big West Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week award after helping the Titans split a pair of matches.
Pham won both of her singles matches at the No. 4 position on the ladder. She dispatched Colorado State’s Maddie Buxton, 6-1, 6-3 and also knocked off Wyoming’s Jessica Parizher by a 6-3, 6-2 score.
At No. 2 doubles with partner Alexis Valenzuela, Pham went 1-1 for the week. She and Valenzuela defeated their Colorado State counterparts, 6-1.
Others nominated: Ebba Unden (Long Beach State); Ali Facey (UC Irvine)