Cameron Reed Earns USA South Sportsmanship Award
2022 USA South Men's Tennis Awards Announced
The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its 2022 All-Conference awards for men's tennis. Individually, N.C. Wesleyan swept the awards for the fourth time in program history. Jhonny Acosta was named Player of the Year, Luca Knese collected Rookie of the Year honors, and their coach, Albie Brice, grabbed Coach of the Year accolades. Also, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team, consisting of one member from each competing school.
All awards were voted on by the men's tennis coach at each institution. The divisional team voting was completed only by those coaches in the particular division while the first team all-conference and individual award voting was completed by all coaches.
Acosta, a senior from Ita, Paraguay becomes the seventh Battling Bishop since 2009 to be named USA South Men's Tennis Player of the Year. Playing at the number-one singles position this season, Acosta has posted a 16-3 overall record with a perfect 2-0 mark in USA South matches. During the fall season, Acosta became an All-American as he won the ITA Fall South Regional Tournament. Acosta is currently the top-ranked player in the Atlantic South region. For his efforts this spring, Acosta earned First Team All-Conference and All-East Division honors while being named USA South Player of the Week four times.
Knese, a freshman from Koln, Germany becomes the ninth Battling Bishop since 2008 to earn USA South Men's Tennis Rookie of the Year honors. Playing at various positions within the lineup this season, Knese has compiled a 17-3 overall record with a perfect 4-0 mark in USA South matches. The 17 singles victories are currently the most in the Conferenrce. For his efforts during the year, Knese earned Second Team East Division honors. Additionally, he was named USA South Rookie of the Week twice this spring.
Brice, in his fifth year as the head coach of N.C. Wesleyan, received his third USA South Men's Tennis Coach of the Year honor. He has guided the Battling Bishops to a 26-4 overall record and the program's 13th consecutive unblemished Conference season (7-0). N.C. Wesleyan earned its 13th straight regular season title this spring and have now won 103 Conference matches in a row. Currently, N.C. Wesleyan is the fourth ranked team in the Atlantic South region. The Battling Bishops are currently in the semifinals of the USA South Tournament as the East Division's top-seeded team, seeking the program's 13th consecutive tournament championship.
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Player of the Year |
Rookie of the Year |
Coach of the Year |
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The 2022 USA South Men's Tennis All-Conference Team:
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First Team All-Conference |
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First Team |
Second Team |
First Team |
Second Team |
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All-Sportsmanship |