UB Men's Tennis Announces Awards

Singh Panthlia, Hadisubroto, Kennedy, Rockman earn accolades
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men's tennis squad presented its team awards for the 2005-06 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at the Millennium Hotel on May 2.

Head coach Russ Crispell made the following presentations: Nikesh Singh Panthlia (George Town, Malaysia/BMK Penang Free School) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Yules Hadisubroto (Jakarta, Indonesia/SMUN 21) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Matt Kennedy (Mississauga, Ontario/Erindale) received the Coaches' Award; and Mike Rockman (Toronto, Ontario/Thornlea) was named Most Outstanding.

Nikesh Singh Panthlia

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student-athlete who distinguishes himself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. Singh Panthlia, a sophomore who transferred to UB after a year at South Carolina-Aiken, went 18-11 in singles action, playing most of his matches in the number two slot. He also turned in a 16-12 doubles mark, paired with Hadisbroto at number one early in the season and Kennedy in the second spot toward the end of the campaign. He earned the Mid-American Conference's Player of the Week award after going undefeated in three singles matches during the Bulls' spring break matches at Hilton Head Island, SC.

Yules Hadisubroto

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student-athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in his performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. Hadisubroto was 10-18 in singles competition, mostly at number three. He was 12-16 in doubles action, including an 11-11 mark with Singh Panthlia as UB's number one tandem. He and Singh Panthlia reached the round of 32 at the ITA Regional Championships in Hanover, NH.

Matt Kennedy

The Coaches' Award is selected by the head coach and is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the team virtues as defined by the head coach. The recipient is one who stands out in dedication, commitment, unselfishness and enthusiasm towards helping the team improve. Kennedy, last season's Top Newcomer, bounced around the lower portion of the singles ladder playing in spots three through six during the season. He went 15-12 in singles play with a 10-3 record in the fourth and fifth spots. Kennedy was 10-12 in doubles action as he and Singh Panthlia went 4-1 late in the season as UB's number two duo.

Mike Rockman

The Most Outstanding Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through his skills and leadership. Rockman, last year's Coaches' Award winner, led the Bulls with a 19-11 singles record, including a 9-6 record at the number one spot on the ladder. Rockman also led the Bulls with eight tournament victories in the fall, including a 2-1 mark at the ITA Regionals, defeating a seeded player in the round of 64, before falling to another seeded player in the round of 32. His three-set win over Northern Illinois' Brian Livingston sealed a 4-3 UB win in the regular season match against the Huskies. Rockman was also 9-13 in doubles play. He capped his season by being named to the Academic All-MAC team.

The Bulls completed their season with an 11-9 overall record and were 2-3 in the Mid-American Conference. Seeded fourth of six teams in the MAC Tournament, the Bulls were eliminated in the first round by Northern Illinois.

05/12/2006