The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Netters Honored With ITA Southern Regional Awards
5/13/2011 | Men's Tennis
May 13, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss men's tennis players Tucker Vorster and Marcel Thiemann picked up additional honors this week, earning Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Southern Regional Awards.
Vorster, one of two seniors on the team, received the Arthur Ashe Jr., Sportsmanship and Leadership Award. This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
The Pretoria, South Africa native has been instrumental in the Rebels qualifying for the NCAA Championships four straight years. During this time the team has claimed the overall SEC Championship as well as two SEC Tournament Championships and three SEC West titles. Vorster has been named to the All-SEC Team two years running and this year has been selected to the NCAA Singles Championship.
"Tucker is one of those rare individuals that can compete on the highest level and always be courteous and respectful to his opponent," head coach Billy Chadwick said. "He keeps the game of tennis in the proper perspective. I know that all of our fans would agree that he is well deserving of this award."
Marcel earned the ITA Southern Region Player to Watch Award. This award goes to a player who has had an outstanding season and is expected to perform at a high level the rest of his or her career.
The Lehrte, Germany native has become one of the top players in the SEC as well as the nation. He earned All-SEC first team honors for the second year in a row and is presently ranked No. 36 in the country in singles and No. 10 in doubles.
"Last year Marcel got everyone's attention when he reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championship," Chadwick said. "He's done an outstanding job of holding down the No.1 position in the toughest league in the nation, and he definitely has the potential to win a major national championship."
Both players are now eligible for the national awards along with the other regional winners. Those will be announced at the NCAA Championships.
The Rebels are currently in Los Angeles, Calif., getting ready to face UC Irvine in the NCAA first round.
