Spring Break
Top-ranked tennis team takes home SEC honor
PARKER MORGAN
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News
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The league office of the Southeastern Conference declared this week what its members have known all season - this year's Georgia team is something special.
The No. 1 Bulldogs (23-0, 11-0 SEC) placed three players on both the All-SEC first and second teams and had Manuel Diaz and John Isner recognized as the conference's co-coach of the year and player of the year respectively - the second consecutive honor for each individual.
"It's a tremendous honor to be thought of as the player of the year in a conference as tough as our conference for the second year in a row," Isner said. "It's something that I'll always cherish."
"He's very deserving," Diaz said. "He's been the epitome of a team guy and a team player."
Alongside their teammate Isner, juniors Luis Flores and Travis Helgeson also were named to the first team. Second team selections included senior Matic Omerzel and freshmen Jamie Hunt and Nate Schnugg.
"It's just a great reward for these guys," Diaz said. "I'm very, very proud of them."
Quick to laud his own players, Diaz was reluctant in taking credit for his own award - the fifth such honor of his career. His players, however, were more than willing.
"I think (his recognition) is great," Omerzel said. "I think he's the best coach I've ever had so far, and I think he deserves that."
The No. 1 Bulldogs (23-0, 11-0 SEC) placed three players on both the All-SEC first and second teams and had Manuel Diaz and John Isner recognized as the conference's co-coach of the year and player of the year respectively - the second consecutive honor for each individual.
"It's a tremendous honor to be thought of as the player of the year in a conference as tough as our conference for the second year in a row," Isner said. "It's something that I'll always cherish."
"He's very deserving," Diaz said. "He's been the epitome of a team guy and a team player."
Alongside their teammate Isner, juniors Luis Flores and Travis Helgeson also were named to the first team. Second team selections included senior Matic Omerzel and freshmen Jamie Hunt and Nate Schnugg.
"It's just a great reward for these guys," Diaz said. "I'm very, very proud of them."
Quick to laud his own players, Diaz was reluctant in taking credit for his own award - the fifth such honor of his career. His players, however, were more than willing.
"I think (his recognition) is great," Omerzel said. "I think he's the best coach I've ever had so far, and I think he deserves that."
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