NEW YORK – Creighton rookie Nick Campbell and Xavier newcomer Emily Thomas have been named BIG EAST Tennis Male and Female Athlete of the Week, respectively, after strong performances during the past week. Campbell guided the Bluejays to a pair of wins over Saint Joseph’s and BIG EAST foe Xavier. Thomas helped the Musketeers pick up victories against Howard, Rockhurst and conference opponents Creighton and Seton Hall. This is the first weekly award received by both athletes.
BIG EAST Male Athlete of the Week
Nick Campbell, Creighton, Fr. (Larnaca, Cyprus)
Campbell went undefeated in all six of his singles and doubles matches during the past week. Against Youngstown State, he teamed up with Mac Mease at No. 1 doubles for the win over Danylo Veremeichuk and Joao Garretto, 6-4, to help claim the doubles point for the Bluejays. In a close match, Campbell grabbed another point on the top singles court over Veremeichuk, 6-3, 6-2, however the team fell 4-3. Creighton rebounded with a 5-2 victory over Saint Joseph’s. Campbell kept his momentum going with a 6-2 triumph with Mease at No. 1 doubles against Nathan Perrone and Andre Fick. He won a three-set No. 1 singles match versus Perrone, 6-3, 3-6, 10-8. In the Bluejays’ final match of the weekend, they defeated BIG EAST rival Xavier, 6-1. Campbell and Mease partnered again, this time defeating Brett Winters and Jack Dykema, 6-3, on the top doubles court. He finished off with a triumph over Winters at No. 1 singles, 7-6, 6-4.
BIG EAST Female Athlete of the Week
Emily Thomas, Xavier, Fr. (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Thomas was unbeaten in all four of her singles matches last week. The Musketeers swept Howard, 7-0, in their first match as Thomas won at No. 1 doubles alongside Ahmeir Kyle. They defeated Nicole Hutchison and Christina Joynes, 6-1. At the No. 3 singles spot, Thomas dropped only one game against Kendall Addison, 6-1, 6-0. In Xavier’s next two matches, they picked up wins over BIG EAST teams Creighton (6-1) and Seton Hall (4-3). Versus the Bluejays, Thomas outdid Sarah Wilcox, 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 singles, then prevailed over the Pirates’ Melody Taal at No. 3 singles, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). In the Musketeers’ final match of the weekend, Thomas kept her singles streak going with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph over Rockhurst’s Anilu Barraza at No. 2. The team won 6-1.