Friday, March 14, 2008

MACON, Ga. - USC Upstate has made noise on the tennis courts in its first season as a Division I school, and after helping the Spartans to another perfect week, Javier Tori notched his first career Player of the Week honor the conference office announced Friday. Tori becomes the second USC Upstate tennis standout to be recognized by the A-Sun this season.

Tori had a perfect 3-0 week, and won both his conference singles matches during the Spartans' trip to Nashville in convincing fashion, downing Lipscomb's Josh Cummings, 6-2, 6-0 at No. 3 singles and Belmont's Ignacio Gesto, 6-3, 6-0, helping the team to two 4-0 wins. The business administration major also posted a doubles win with Renzo Airaldi at No. 2 doubles at Lipscomb. The sophomore has won eight of last 10 singles matches and eight out of nine doubles matches.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gardner-Webb University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performer:
Lisandro Picardo, ETSU (Sr. - Mar del Plata, Argentina - Business)
Picked up a pair of victories on the week, and extended his undefeated singles record to 11-0.