St. Louis, Mo. – The Great Lakes Valley Conference announced Thursday night that University of Indianapolis senior Arklon Huertas del Pino has been named the 2017 GLVC Player of the Year in the sport of men’s tennis. He was selected by the league coaches and recognized for his efforts at an awards reception on the eve of the 2017 GLVC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championship Tournament, which begins on Friday in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, University of Missouri-St. Louis’ Ben Kasprzak was named GLVC Freshman of the Year, while the GLVC Coach of the Year will be awarded to the coach of the tournament’s winning team. A total of 16 student-athletes from both the GLVC East and West Divisions were recognized as All-Conference honorees. Additionally, 13 student-athletes were named GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award nominees.
A four-time GLVC Player of the Week in 2017 (3/7, 3/21, 3/28, 4/18), and now a two-time All-GLVC pick, Huertas del Pino finished the regular season with an impressive singles record of 19-1 at No. 1 and an 18-9 No. 1 doubles mark with Andrea Morlet. The senior finished regular season action ranked second in the Division II Midwest Region and 21st in the nation. As a doubles pair, del Pino and Morlet rank fourth in the region and 17th in the nation. The Lima, Peru, product is the fifth Greyhound to earn the league’s highest accolade, as Paul Buck was the first UIndy player selected in 1990, while R.B. Hervey followed in 2001 and Ross Johnson won back-to-back laurels in 2003 and 2004.
Kasprzak joins Huertas del Pino on the All-GLVC team and garners UMSL’s fourth freshman postseason distinction, as the 2001 honor went to Matt Vaulkhard, Mike Shaaf won in 2003 and Andreas Dimke picked it up in 2007. In singles play, Kasprzak was 7-3 in No. 1 singles during the spring dual season, adding to a 7-5 mark from the fall for a 14-8 overall clip. The freshman played both No. 1 and 2 doubles, partnering with both Lucas Lobao and Alberto Maza, combining for a 13-9 overall record while 7-4 in the spring dual campaign.
Drury highlights the All-Conference team with a league-best four selections, including junior Sebastien Amato, freshman Nico Hadeler and seniors Maxi Hepp and Nico Sigloch. UIndy followed with three choices, as junior Christoph Drechsler and Nils Hoffacker join del Pino. Lewis University and Rockhurst University follow with two honorees apiece. Sophomore Alan Braschinsky and senior Mate Srdanovic represent Lewis, while senior Daniel Chmielewski and junior Oskar Unger were the picks for Rockhurst. Along with Kasprzak, Bellarmine University, McKendree University, Quincy University and University of Southern Indiana each gleaned one spot on the postseason list. Senior Zachary Kuo, junior Maico Egbers, senior Erik Eldagsen and senior Aaron Barris were the respective picks.
The league also recognized 13 GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award nominees. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These individuals must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. The honorees are now eligible to become one of their school’s two Spalding Sportsmanship Award winners, which will be announced in May.
A complete list of All-GLVC performers and major postseason award winners can be found below.
2017 GLVC Player of the Year: Arklon Huertas del Pino, Sr., Indianapolis
2017 GLVC Freshman of the Year: Ben Kasprzak, Fr., Missouri-St. Louis
2017 GLVC Coach of the Year: Winner of Tournament
2017 ALL-GLVC MEN’S TENNIS POSTSEASON AWARDS
Zachary Kuo, Sr., BU
Sebastien Amato, Jr., DU
Nico Hadeler, Fr., DU
Maxi Hepp, Sr., DU
Nico Sigloch, Sr., DU
Christoph Drechsler, Jr., UINDY
Nils Hoffacker, Jr., UINDY
Arklon Huertas del Pino, Sr., UINDY
Alan Braschinsky, So., LEWIS
Mate Srdanovic, Sr., LEWIS
Maico Egbers, Jr., MCK
Ben Kasprzak, Fr., UMSL
Erik Eldagsen, Sr., QU
Daniel Chmielewski, Sr., RU
Oskar Unger, Jr., RU
Aaron Barris, Sr., USI
2017 JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP NOMINEES
Zachary Kuo, BU
Nico Sigloch, DU
Cole Buehnerkemper, UIS
Nils Hoffacker, UINDY
Mate Srdanovic, LEWIS
Ben Kasprzak, UMSL
Ben Muller, MCK
Erik Eldagsen, QU
Joe Ibarra, RU
Joe Comerford, SJC
Aaron Barris, USI
Paul Province, TSU
Hayden Fulk, WJC