May 23, 2006

Tulsa, Okla. - The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) named The University of Tulsa sophomore-transfer Arnau Brugues the National Player to Watch, as voted on by the ITA Board of Directors. Brugues was eligible for the honor after being named Central Region Player to Watch last week.

Brugues, the nation's seventh-ranked singles player, has registered a 17-2 mark this year, including a 9-1 record against ranked opponents. He has tallied impressive wins over Texas' 15th-ranked Travis Helgeson, Arkansas' 15th-ranked Adrians Zguns, Texas A&M's 16th-ranked Jerry Makowski, VCU's 19th-ranked Arnaud Lecloerec and Rice's 29th-ranked Robert Searle. He became the highest-ranked played in TU history when he received a No. 6 ITA ranking on March 21st. Brugues was also selected as the Conference USA Men's Tennis Player of the Year and received all-conference fist-team honors.