Luis Lopez and Seriana Saltzen picked up victories against conference opponents to earn the weekly tennis awards.

Lopez Excels Against Nationally Ranked Cal Poly

Sophomore Luis Lopez (Chula Vista, Calif./Utah State) helped UC Irvine score two points in a showdown with nationally ranked Cal Poly, as he garnered his first Big West Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week honor.

Lopez teamed with Sebastian Heim at No. 2 doubles to take down the Mustang duo of Timothy Tan and Karl Enander, 6-3.  That opened up the opportunity for the ‘Eaters to clinch the doubles point on court No. 3.

He accounted for UCI’s lone point in singles as the No. 46-ranked Mustangs went on to win the match, 5-2.  Lopez fought to a three-set victory over Garrett Auproux at No. 3, winning by scores of 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.  Lopez is now 9-5 on the year in singles.

Others nominated: Corey Pang (Cal Poly); Gilbert Chung (UC Riverside); Nicolas Moreno de Alboran (UC Santa Barbara)

Saltzen Helps Cal Poly Split Conference Matches

Cal Poly freshman Seriana Saltzen (Gold River, Calif./California Connections Academy) went 3-1 to help her team to a conference split, leading to her first career selection as Big West Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week.

Saltzen earned a 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles over UC Irvine counterpart Cassidy Branstine, which proved important in a 4-3 triumph over the Anteaters.  Saltzen also won her No. 1 doubles match with partner Molly Reed, defeating UCI’s Constance Branstine and Stephanie Hazell, 7-5.

In a 4-3 loss to Cal State Fullerton, Saltzen dispatched Karla Portalatin, 6-2, 7-6.  She improved to 3-2 in conference singles play with the win.
 
Others nominated: Alexis Valenzuela (Cal State Fullerton); Jessie Lee (UC Davis); Stephanie Yamada (UC Santa Barbara); Petra Melounova (Hawai‘i)