May 1, 2007

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- -

Domgaj Anic

Conference USA announced its 2007 conference awards for men's tennis, today, as selected by the conference's head coaches.

Southern Miss men's tennis had two players earning postseason Conference USA recognition with Domagoj Anic receiving second team all-conference honors, and freshman Oscar Machuca being named the Freshman of the Year.

Anic finished the season with a 13-8 dual match record, playing mainly at No. 2 and No. 1 singles. He posted a 2-0 record against Conference USA teams. He also received C-USA Athlete of the Week (Jan. 23) for his performance. He was named the team's captain.

"Domagoj put together another good season for the second-consecutive year," Head Coach Teddy Viator said. "Playing No. 2 spot is a difficult position to play and he finished with a winning record. He is close to becoming one of the top players, not only in the conference, but in the nation as well."

Machuca becomes the second Southern Miss player to receive Freshman of the Year honors, when David Jansson received the honor in 1999. Machuca finished his rookie season with a 14-4 dual match record, playing at No. 4 singles. He had a league record of 2-0. Of his four losses, three of his opponents were nationally ranked. He won his last three matches and was 8-1 in his last nine matches. Oscar teamed with his brother, Diego, in doubles and recorded a 9-7 record.

"Oscar is very deserving of this award," Viator said. "He had one of the best records, winning percentage wise, of any player in our history. He was one of our leaders on and off the court. What he accomplished as a freshman coming in in January is really exciting. We played six freshmen this past season and we are looking for more good things to come."

Tulsa received the top two Conference USA men's tennis honors when sophomore Arnau Brugues earned C-USA Player of the Year and All-League first-team recognition for the second consecutive year, and head coach Vince Westbrook was named Coach of the Year for the second year in a row after leading his team to back-to-back C-USA men's tennis titles.

2007 Conference USA Men's Tennis Postseason Awards

All-Conference USA First Team
Arnau Brugues, Tulsa
Ben Harknett, Rice
Alex Skrypko, SMU
Ricardo Soriano, Tulsa
Ralph Knupfer, Rice
Christoph Müller, Rice

All-Conference USA Second Team
Domagoj Anic, Southern Miss
Johan Biegart, UCF
Will Gray, Rice
David Kuczer, SMU
Amrit Narasimhan, Memphis
Federico Soriano, Tulsa

All-Conference USA Doubles Team
Diego Camacho / Ross Cunningham, Tulsa
Ralph Knupfer / Tobias Scheil, Rice
Alex Skrypko / Federico Murgier, SMU

Coach of the Year: Vince Westbrook, Tulsa
Player of the Year: Arnau Brugues, Tulsa
Freshman of the Year: Oscar Machuca, Southern Miss
Newcomer of the Year: Amrit Narasimhan, Memphis

Outstanding Singles Player of the Championship
Arnau Brugues, Tulsa

Outstanding Doubles Team of the Championship
Diego Camacho / Ross Cunningham, Tulsa