Three Tar Heels Win ITA Regional Awards
May 18, 2020 | Men's Tennis
CHAPEL HILL—Three University of North Carolina men's tennis players have won regional playing awards for the 2019-20 season from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the ITA announced on Monday morning.Â
William Blumberg is Carolina Regional winner of the ITA Senior Player of the Year award. Benjamin Sigouin is the regional ITA Player to Watch, and Rinky Hijikata is the regional ITA Rookie of the Year.
"The Carolina Region is one of the toughest in the country, filled with some very talented teams," UNC head coach Sam Paul says. "To win three awards in that type of region is quite an accomplishment. We're certainly thankful to the committee, but we're also so very proud of the accomplishments of William, Benjamin and Rinky."
Blumberg was a perfect 10-0 in singles dual matches this spring, winning all those matches while only dropping one set all season. He also teamed with Brian Cernoch in doubles to go 10-2 in dual matches. Blumberg earned All-America honors in both singles and doubles (with Cernoch) for the fourth consecutive year, becoming just the third player in ITA men's history to do so.
"I've said it before, but William is one of the greatest players ever," Paul says. "His hard work is evident, and I'm so proud of everything he continues to accomplish. The accolades he's earned are well deserved."
Sigouin joined the UNC lineup slightly late due to a nagging early-season injury, but went 5-2 in singles action and reached as high as No. 42 in the national singles rankings. A 2019 All-America and two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference choice, Sigouin could be poised for another All-America season in 2021.
"Benjamin battled injuries a little bit to start the year, but he rebounded and was playing some of his best tennis when the season ended," says Paul. "He's such a team-oriented player, and winning this award really speaks both to his play this season and what he can accomplish in the future."
Hijikata also joined the team late in the indoor season after winning a qualifying match at the Australian Open in January. Despite limited time on the court, he reached as high as No. 47 in the ITA singles rankings and went undefeated in both singles and doubles in 2020.
"Rinky has a phenomenal work ethic and energy," Paul says. "The standards he sets for himself are so advanced for a player of his age."
Carolina Regional Award Winners
Despite the shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ITA recognizes the hard work on and off the court from our deserving student athletes. The Division I Playing Awards include: Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Player to Watch, ITA Most Improved Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, ITA Community Service Award, and ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award.
William Blumberg is Carolina Regional winner of the ITA Senior Player of the Year award. Benjamin Sigouin is the regional ITA Player to Watch, and Rinky Hijikata is the regional ITA Rookie of the Year.
"The Carolina Region is one of the toughest in the country, filled with some very talented teams," UNC head coach Sam Paul says. "To win three awards in that type of region is quite an accomplishment. We're certainly thankful to the committee, but we're also so very proud of the accomplishments of William, Benjamin and Rinky."
Blumberg was a perfect 10-0 in singles dual matches this spring, winning all those matches while only dropping one set all season. He also teamed with Brian Cernoch in doubles to go 10-2 in dual matches. Blumberg earned All-America honors in both singles and doubles (with Cernoch) for the fourth consecutive year, becoming just the third player in ITA men's history to do so.
"I've said it before, but William is one of the greatest players ever," Paul says. "His hard work is evident, and I'm so proud of everything he continues to accomplish. The accolades he's earned are well deserved."
Sigouin joined the UNC lineup slightly late due to a nagging early-season injury, but went 5-2 in singles action and reached as high as No. 42 in the national singles rankings. A 2019 All-America and two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference choice, Sigouin could be poised for another All-America season in 2021.
"Benjamin battled injuries a little bit to start the year, but he rebounded and was playing some of his best tennis when the season ended," says Paul. "He's such a team-oriented player, and winning this award really speaks both to his play this season and what he can accomplish in the future."
Hijikata also joined the team late in the indoor season after winning a qualifying match at the Australian Open in January. Despite limited time on the court, he reached as high as No. 47 in the ITA singles rankings and went undefeated in both singles and doubles in 2020.
"Rinky has a phenomenal work ethic and energy," Paul says. "The standards he sets for himself are so advanced for a player of his age."
Carolina Regional Award Winners
- Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship:Â Paul Jubb, University of South Carolina
- ITA Rookie of the Year:Â Rinky Hijikata, University of North Carolina
- ITA Player to Watch:Â Benjamin Sigouin, University of North Carolina
- ITA Most Improved Senior:Â Paul Jubb, University of South Carolina
- ITA Senior Player of the Year:Â William Blumberg, University of North Carolina
- ITA Community Service Award:Â North Carolina Central University
- ITA Community Service Award Honorable Mention:Â Appalachian State University
Despite the shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ITA recognizes the hard work on and off the court from our deserving student athletes. The Division I Playing Awards include: Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Player to Watch, ITA Most Improved Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, ITA Community Service Award, and ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award.
The national winners of the awards will be announced next Monday during a special virtual awards ceremony. The awards ceremony can be viewed on the ITA's Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.
Players Mentioned
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