Men's Tennis Announces Year End Team Awards
5/4/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
May 4, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's tennis team announced today, May 4, its year-end awards, as selected by the members of the team and coaching staff. Fresh off the winningest season in program history, the Spartans selected a two of freshmen and a senior as the award winners.
Taking home Most Valuable Player honors was freshman Aaron Pfister. On the year, Pfister boasted an impressive team-best 30-6 record. The Grand Blanc, Mich., native opened the dual season by winning his first 17 contests. Of his 20 wins this spring, 18 of which were recorded in straight sets. After starting out the spring season in the No. 5 singles slot, Pfister slowly made his way into the top of the lineup as the year progressed. When all was said and done, Pfister occupied the No. 2 singles position for head coach Gene Orlando during post-season play. Pfister's singles success carried over into the doubles lineup as his confidence progressed. Pfister started out the dual season in doubles play by winning eight of his first nine contests. On the year, Pfister boasted a doubles record of 22-14.
"I didn't see Aaron Pfister going on and having a 30-6 record on the year," said Orlando. "After evaluating his fall and seeing that he had a good season, I didn't see him taking off and having the spring season that he did. All year, he was surrounded by good players and his consistent play in practice really allowed his game to blossom. One he began to gain some confidence, he really started to take off and improving."
Receiving the team's Most Improved Player award was freshman Drew Lied. A native of Brookfield, Wis., Lied compiled an overall record of 20-13 his first year donning the Green and White. After posting a 9-4 record during the fall, Lied continued to improve in practice, bringing his spring season record to a strong 11-9. Even more impressive was Lied's improvement from his fall doubles record to his spring slate. After going only 5-4 in the first portion of the year, Lied doubled his spring record to a 10-6 mark on the year. In the top-two doubles positions combined, Lied boasted a record of 10-4.
"Drew Lied had some holes in his game when he arrived on campus," Orlando said. "During the fall, he worked hard on them, and when he came back in January he really improved in those areas. His progression wasn't as quick as Aaron's, as he was a little lower in the lineup, but he established himself as a lineup player in both singles and doubles. By mid-season, he claimed a spot in the singles lineup and then towards the end of the year, he made his way into the doubles lineup."
Earning the team's Spartan Spirit recognition for the second straight year was senior Clark Richardson. The Spartan Spirit Award goes to the individual who demonstrates motivation and leadership. Despite seeing limited time due to the depth of the MSU lineup, Richardson consistently was one of the most vocal members of the year each and every day. Earlier this spring, Richardson was also named as the team's recipient of the 2011 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. On the year, Richardson has posted an 8-4 overall record in singles play, while winning 12-of-20 doubles matches he has competed in. Richardson's success on the court has been matched in the classroom, where he received the scholar-athlete award at the SASS Gala on April 11.
"It just comes down to leadership and supporting the guys, Clark Richardson knows what to say to the guys, at the right time," noted Orlando. "He knows when to push his teammates and when to let them roll on their own. This year, Clark accepted any role that he had, whether it was as a player contributing to the lineup, or when he wasn't in the lineup, he was more of an assistant coach and supporting the guys."
The Spartans conclude the 2011 season with a record of 18-9, the most wins ever recorded in program history.
The team's success on the court this season was also matched off the court. The men's tennis program was recognized with MSU's Athletic Director's Award, which is given to the team with the highest team grade point average after the 2010 fall semester. The men's tennis team concluded the semester with an impressive team GPA of 3.439. With the award, the tennis team has won it for a record seventh time, and the fourth year in a row.
