Laura Middel (r) has been named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week.
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Middel Named Big Sky Player of the Week
4/19/2016 3:09:00 PM | Women's Tennis
The Big Sky Conference has selected the tennis Players of the Week for matches played from April 12-18. Laura Middel picked up Montana State’s second consecutive honor on the women’s side, while Idaho’s Felipe Fonseca was named the men’s honoree.
The Big Sky Conference has selected the tennis Players of the Week for matches played from April 12-18. Laura Middel picked up Montana State's second consecutive honor on the women's side, while Idaho's Felipe Fonseca was named the men's honoree.
Middel, a junior from Hoogezand, Netherlands, capped off a strong regular season in league play while helping the Bobcats seal a conference tournament bid. In a huge matchup against fifth-place Eastern Washington, MSU put together a convincing sweep to finish the regular season 6-5 and clinch the No. 5 seed in the upcoming tournament. Middel teamed with reigning Player of the Week Naomi Holopainen at No. 1 doubles, and overcame a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Eagles' pair of Janaya Smith and Faye Worrall 7-5 to finish off a sweep for the doubles point.
In singles play Middel worked past Smith, a second-team Big Sky selection last season, for a 6-4, 6-4 decision on court one that clinched the victory for the Bobcats. Middel closed the season with just a pair of conference losses, going 9-2 in singles play and finishing a perfect 11-0 in doubles with Holopainen. The junior went 12-10 overall in singles and was 17-4 with Holopainen in doubles.
"Laura is incredibly deserving of this honor," said MSU head coach Jon Reeves. "She is our team leader and jumped on board with changes right from the start. Laura has led our team with the work she brings to the courts daily, and by the competitiveness and enthusiasm she brings on match day. We are very proud of how far Laura has come this year."
Montana State will play in the Big Sky Conference Tournament April 29 – May 1 in Sacramento, CA.
Middel, a junior from Hoogezand, Netherlands, capped off a strong regular season in league play while helping the Bobcats seal a conference tournament bid. In a huge matchup against fifth-place Eastern Washington, MSU put together a convincing sweep to finish the regular season 6-5 and clinch the No. 5 seed in the upcoming tournament. Middel teamed with reigning Player of the Week Naomi Holopainen at No. 1 doubles, and overcame a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Eagles' pair of Janaya Smith and Faye Worrall 7-5 to finish off a sweep for the doubles point.
In singles play Middel worked past Smith, a second-team Big Sky selection last season, for a 6-4, 6-4 decision on court one that clinched the victory for the Bobcats. Middel closed the season with just a pair of conference losses, going 9-2 in singles play and finishing a perfect 11-0 in doubles with Holopainen. The junior went 12-10 overall in singles and was 17-4 with Holopainen in doubles.
"Laura is incredibly deserving of this honor," said MSU head coach Jon Reeves. "She is our team leader and jumped on board with changes right from the start. Laura has led our team with the work she brings to the courts daily, and by the competitiveness and enthusiasm she brings on match day. We are very proud of how far Laura has come this year."
Montana State will play in the Big Sky Conference Tournament April 29 – May 1 in Sacramento, CA.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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