Verdu and Avgeri Sweep Matches and Weekly Awards
NEW YORK – Two underclassmen come away with BIG EAST Tennis Athlete of the Week honors as Alvaro Verdu of Marquette picked up the men’s award and Aspasia Avgeri of DePaul snagged the women’s title.
BIG EAST Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week
Alvaro Verdu, Marquette, So.
The sophomore posted a pair of wins at No. 1 singles in Marquette’s opening-weekend victories over IUPUI and Illinois State. He also posted a win with Nick Dykema at No. 1 doubles versus the Jaguars on Saturday to help secure the doubles point.
BIG EAST Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week
Aspasia Avgeri, DePaul, Fr.
Avgeri continues her undefeated streak in singles play with wins over No.1 Florida and USF this weekend. Against the national leading Gators, Avgeri defeated Brook Austin 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 at the No. 4 slot. She continued her momentum on Sunday when she outpaced USF’s Jessica Cortes Chaves 7-6, 6-2.
Honorable Mention
Armando Gandini, Creighton, Fr.
Gandini finished the weekend 3-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles action as the Bluejays fell to Northern Illinois on Friday before picking up a pair of wins against North Dakota and William Jewell Saturday. The freshman won 6-3, 7-6 at No. 2 singles on Friday before winning in straight-sets in the No. 1 position against both the Fighting Hawks and Cardinals on Saturday. He also paired with Aaron Chalstrom for victories at No. 2 doubles against Northern Illinois (6-2) and North Dakota (6-0).
Boris Spanjaard, DePaul, Fr.
Spanjaard clinched his first singles win of his collegiate career in DePaul’s 7-0 victory against Chicago State. Spanjaard defeated Rohan Wattley 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 3 spot. In doubles, Spanjaard teamed with Nathan de Veer to beat Cody Wurzelbacher and Wattley 6-3 at No. 2 to help DePaul to its fourth straight win at home.
Silvia Ambrosio, Marquette, So.
Ambrosio went 2-0 at No.1 singles and No. 1 doubles with a 2-0 week for the team with wins over UIC and Green Bay.
Jeremy Schneider, Xavier, Sr.
The veteran went 2-0 in No. 1 singles and 1-1 in No. 1 doubles in Marquette’s matchups against Wright State and Daytona, including a 6-2, 6-2 win at the No.1 singles slot against Wright State.
2017 Tennis Weekly Honors
Men's Tennis: Nathan de Veer, DePaul (Jan. 25); Alvaro Verdu, Marquette (Feb. 1)
Women’s Tennis: Risa Takenaka, Providence (Jan. 25); Aspasia Avgeri, DePaul (Feb.1)