The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Earn All-SEC Honors
4/23/2015 | Men's Tennis
OXFORD, Miss. -- Senior Nik Scholtz, junior Stefan Lindmark and freshman Gustav Hansson played a large role in the Rebels finishing in the top four of the SEC for the 17th time, and Thursday they were lauded for their efforts, earning All-SEC honors, as the league office announced the postseason awards.
Scholtz and Lindmark were named to the first team, while Hansson made the second team and the All-Freshman Team.
"We are very proud of all three of these guys," head coach Toby Hansson said. "This league is extremely tough, so to make the All-SEC Team means you have had a great year. They have helped us rank among the top teams in the nation and finish in the top third of the SEC. Nik, Stefan and Gustav are all very deserving of this honor."
Last year, Scholtz became the first Rebel to be named SEC Freshman and Player of the Year in a career. Thursday he made more history, becoming the first Rebel netter to be named to the All-SEC First Team all four years. He is presently ranked No. 17 in the nation in singles and No. 32 in doubles. Scholtz owns a 14-5 record at No. 1 singles and finished 6-3 in the SEC. Â
"Nik has been one of not only the best players in the nation, but in this league since he arrived four years ago," Coach Hansson said. "To be the first player in our program to be named to the first team all four years is a great accomplishment. I know there is more he wants to accomplish both with the team and individually, and we are looking forward to seeing that over the next month."
Lindmark has had a banner year at No. 2 singles for the Rebels, becoming the fifth Rebel ever to go undefeated in the SEC (8-0). Six of his eight SEC wins came in straight sets and he clinched the Rebels 26th straight against Auburn and sixth straight against Tennessee. Lindmark went 5-3 in the SEC in doubles, 4-2 with Gustav Hansson at No. 2.
"Stefan is one of the most improved players in the SEC and certainly on our team," Hansson said. "He is a big reason for our success this year. Stefan has worked extremely hard and shown great leadership, and we are very happy to see him rewarded for an outstanding year."
Gustav Hansson finished 4-2 in the SEC all at No.3 singles. Six of his matches went unfinished, including one where he had match point and two where he was up a set. He also went 5-3 in the SEC in doubles, 1-1 at one and 4-2 and two with Lindmark.
"Gustav has made so much improvement during the course of this year," Coach Hansson said. "Playing in the top half of the lineup as a freshman is not always easy, especially in this league, but he has done a good job. Gustav has a bright future here, and we expect many more honors for him before his career is done."
The Rebels are currently ranked No. 13 in the nation and are in good position to host the NCAA first and second rounds. The NCAA selections and host sites will be announced Tuesday, April 28 at 4:30 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
For more information on Ole Miss Men's Tennis, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissMTennis, on Facebook at OleMissMTennis and on Instagram at OleMissMTennis.
Player of the Year: Gonzales Austin, Vanderbilt
Freshman of the Year: Wayne Montgomery, Georgia
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Kyle Koch, South Carolina
Coach of the Year: Steve Denton, Texas A&M
First Team All-SEC
Lukas Ollert, Auburn Â
Diego Hidalgo, Florida
Ben Wagland, Georgia
Austin Smith, Georgia
Nathan Pasha, Georgia
Wayne Montgomery, Georgia
Jordan Daigle, LSU
Stefan Lindmark, Ole Miss
Nik Scholtz, Ole Miss
Florian Lakat, Mississippi State Â
Mikelis Libietis, Tennessee
Jeremy Efferding, Texas A&M
Gonzales Austin, Vanderbilt Â
Second Team All-SEC
Giammarco Micolani, Arkansas
Elliott Orkin, Florida
Beck Pennington, Kentucky
Chris Simpson, LSU
Gustav Hansson, Ole Miss
Rishab Agarwal, Mississippi State
Mate Cutura, Mississippi State
Juan Cruz Estevarena, Mississippi State
Kyle Koch, South Carolina
AJ Catanzariti, Texas A&M
Arthur Rinderknech, Texas A&M
Shane Vinsant, Texas A&M
Daniel Valent, Vanderbilt
All-Freshman
Korey Lovett, Alabama
Chase Perez-Blanco, Florida Â
Wayne Montgomery, Georgia
Gustav Hansson, Ole Miss
Juan Cruz Estevarena, Mississippi State
AJ Catanzariti, Texas A&M Â
Arthur Rinderknech, Texas A&M
Daniel Valent, Vanderbilt
