AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE TENNIS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Matches: March 21-25; 27, 2023
 
WEST DIVISION MEN'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Joshua Bode, Gr., Concordia Texas
Concordia Texas graduate student Joshua Bode (Austin, Texas) was a steady force for the Tornados to help extend their win streak to 10 matches. Playing one line one in every match, he went undefeated with a combined 4-0 record in singles and doubles play. He won 6-3, 6-2 in singles play and then 8-3 in doubles with Adrian Munguia against Hendrix. He then helped CTX with two crucial victories in a 5-4 decision over UT-Dallas where he won 6-4, 6-2 in singles and 8-3 in doubles. Following weekend action, Bode set the tone with a pair of victories over 37th-ranked Pacific University. He and Munguia outdueled their opponents 8-6, and then he sprinted to a 6-1, 6-0 win in singles play. This is the second time Bode has been named Player of the Week this spring.
 
WEST DIVISION WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Lauren Schaeffer, Sr., Hardin-Simmons
Hardin-Simmons senior Lauren Schaeffer (Abilene, Texas) picked up victories in No. 2 singles and No. 3 doubles to help the Cowgirls secure a division win over the weekend versus McMurry, 8-1. Schaeffer teamed up with Jonnah Smith for an 8-4 win on doubles. She posted 6-0, 6-4 scores in singles.
 
EAST DIVISION MEN'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Julian Lee, Sr., LeTourneau
LeTourneau senior Julian Lee (Albuquerque, N.M.) notched wins at the top flights in both singles and doubles play to lead LeTourneau to an 8-1 win at Howard Payne on Saturday. It was a big win within the division for the Yellow Jackets. Lee dominated in singles with a pair of sweeps. He teamed up with Zach Farris in No. 1 doubles with an 8-6 win to earn the point.
 
EAST DIVISION WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Suzuka Nishino, Sr., UT Dallas
UT Dallas senior Suzuka Nishino (Coppell, Texas) earned a pair of points in the #28 Comets' 9-0 victory over Concordia Texas. She won at number one singles, 6-3, 6-4, against Kayla Pena and teamed with Tisha Nakakes-Nguyen for an 8-4 victory at third doubles. Nishino is now 8-4 in singles and 6-2 in doubles with Nakakes-Nguyen.

OTHER TOP MEN'S PERFORMANCES
UT Dallas graduate student Jed De Luna (Allen, Texas) secured two points in the Comets' 5-4 loss to Concordia Texas. He teamed with Eddy Shteyn to defeat Andres Padilla and Daniel Beckles 8-5 at number three doubles before topping Jorge Garcia 6-2, 6-0 in six singles. De Luna improved to 6-3 in singles play on the year.
 
Hardin-Simmons junior Brice Bradshaw (Hoover, Ala.) picked up wins in his two matchups on singles and doubles to lead the Cowboys to a win in the division over McMurry. He posted 6-1, 6-3 scores in the top flight singles.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore Nicolas Cusano (Austin, Texas) earned a pair of top wins, winning at both No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles in a non-conference matchup against Hendrix last week. Cusano teamed up with Joaquim Fernandes on the No. 1 doubles and completed a narrow 8-7 win. He then dominated with shutouts on No. 2 singles, as UMHB won 8-1 overall.
 
OTHER TOP WOMEN'S PERFORMANCES
LeTourneau freshman Kylie Weeks (Spring, Texas) moved to 3-0 on the year in singles play with her 6-0, 6-1 win over Howard Payne on Saturday. She also earned her second doubles win of the year as LeTourneau took a 6-3 victory in the match. The victory gave LeTourneau a win in the division.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor freshman Emily Higgs (San Antonio, Texas) was the only Crusader to earn a win over Division II opponent Ouachita Baptist, earning a win at No. 5 singles with 7-5, 4-6, and 1-0 results.