Parts of this release courtesy of Southwestern University Sports Information
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced the 2018 ITA Division III Regional Award winners on Thursday and Southwestern University had multiple award winners.
Southwestern picked up three west region awards. Head coach Billy Porter was named the Wilson ITA Coach of the Year, senior Grant Gideon earned the ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award and sophomore Alexis Dimache was named the region's Player to Watch.
Porter continues to build the Pirates into one of the top teams in the region year after year. This season the Pirates went 13-8 this season with one of the toughest schedules in all of Division III. Southwestern secured their first ever win over conference-rival Trinity this season and ended the year ranked 11th in the region. This is the second consecutive season Porter has been bestowed the honor by the ITA.
Dimanche has been racking up accollades lately, earning SCAC Player of the Year honors and a spot in the NCAA Championship as an individual, a first for the men's program at Southwestern. Dimanche, a sophomore from Mouans-Sartoux, France, is currently ranked eighth in the region after several wins over regionally-ranked players. The Player to Watch award is presented to a second or third year player that is emerging and on the brink of winning an ITA Regional.
Gideon, a senior from San Antonio, Texas, was an All-SCAC Honorable Mention selection this season going 12-8 at #2 and #3 singles this season. Gideon and Dimanche teamed up at #1 doubles and posted a 12-11 mark on the year. The ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. This award which dates back to 1982, goes to NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO men's and women's players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
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