University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Sweep Weekly SEC Honors
February 03, 2009 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 3, 2009
Tennessee's John Patrick Smith was named Player of the Week and Christian Hansen was named Freshman of the Week as the Vols swept the weekly tennis honors announced by the Southeastern Conference.
"The spring semester has started off very well," head coach Sam Winterbotham said. "We've got guys working very hard and it's paying off. We're proud of J.P. and all he's accomplished in the program so far. He's continued to work and earn the respect of his peers.
"We also feel the same way about Christian. He's continued to work and earn the respect of his peers and to get an honor like this he should be very proud of himself. (Associate head coach) Chris (Woodruff) and I are very proud of his play so far this season."
This past weekend, Smith helped UT advance to the ITA Team Indoor Round of 16 with wins over Harvard and Louisville. Earlier this year Smith won the SEC Coaches' Indoor Singles and Doubles title. It was the first time since 2002 that UT had a singles or doubles champion at the SEC Coaches' Indoors. In 2009, he is 8-0 in singles and 7-1 in doubles and has defeated three players ranked ahead of him in the singles poll.
Hansen scored the biggest victory of his young career Sunday when he came from behind to win at the No. 6 position against Louisville. The Cologne, Germany natives win clinched UT's 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Cardinals. Hansen is 4-0 this season in singles dual-match play.
Hansen, Smith and the rest of the Volunteers return to action Saturday night when they face the 13th-ranked Fighting Illini of Illinois in Champaign at 7 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
