Men's Tennis 4/17/2015 4:00:00 PM

O’KEEFE VOTED BIG SOUTH MEN’S TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Radford senior Patrick O'Keefe was named the Big South Men's Tennis Player of the Year Friday afternoon as league officials released the annual conference postseason awards. In addition to O'Keefe's honor, Javier Waase was selected to the all-academic team.

"We have had several players of the year in my time coaching here, but there may be none more deserving than Patrick," head coach Mike Anderson noted. "He represents our university and program with such class. It has been an honor to watch Patrick grow into the fine tennis player and young man he has become."

O'Keefe became Radford's seventh player of the year in men's tennis, joining Rachid Benjelloun, Martin Sayer (4x) and Nicholas Sayer. The Salem, Va., native posted an impressive 16-2 overall record, including a 6-1 conference mark at No. 1 singles. O'Keefe was also an all-conference singles selection last season.

His 16 singles victories were the most by a Highlander during the spring dual season since the 2011-12 season. He ended the regular season on a 15-match winning streak at the top singles flight. Based on his 6-1 Big South record, O'Keefe was recognized as the flight champion at No. 1 singles. O'Keefe was the flight champion at No. 2 singles in 2014.

Waase continues Radford's record of being represented on the all-academic team. The senior, who is double majoring in psychology and biology while minoring in chemistry, is the 20^th Highlander to be recognized.

Radford opens postseason play Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. when the Highlanders (9-10) take on Winthrop (12-8) in the quarterfinals of the Big South Men's Tennis Championship. The tournament is being played at the Asheville Racquet Club, which is where RU won its last conference championship.

Singles All-Conference
Patrick O'Keefe, Radford
Steven Billington, Campbell
Philippe Tsangarides, Coastal Carolina
Sam Mateson, Liberty
Tremayne Mitchell, Winthrop
Dylan Comerford, Winthrop
Dan Elston, Longwood
Kaue Pereira, Coastal Carolina

Doubles All-Conference
Philippe Tsangarides and Kaue Pereira, Coastal Carolina
Dylan Comerford and Peter Nagovnak, Winthrop
Ben Kelley and Joel Roberts, Presbyterian
Ernest Alberch and Nikita Zverkov, Gardner-Webb

All-Academic
Adrien Rossignon, Campbell
Renan Samed, Coastal Carolina
Brendan Dempsey, Gardner-Webb
Jorge Azuero, Liberty
Dan Elston, Longwood
Diego Manzanas, Presbyterian
Javier Waase, Radford
Daniel Kripak, UNC Asheville
Peter Nagovanak, Winthrop

Player of the Year
Patrick O'Keefe, Radford

Freshman of the Year
Lukas Schaefer, Campbell

Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Peter Nagovanak, Winthrop

Coach of the Year
Chris Johnson, Liberty

Men's Tennis Flight Winners
No. 1 Singles: Patrick O'Keefe, Radford
No. 2 Singles: Sam Matheson, Liberty
No. 3 Singles: Lukas Schaefer, Campbell
No. 4 Singles: Korhan Ates, Gardner-Webb
No. 5 Singles: Brendan Dempsey, Gardner-Webb / Danny Bruce, Presbyterian
No. 6 Singles: Ben Kelley, Presbyterian

No. 1 Doubles: Kaue Pereira and Philippe Tsangarides, Coastal Carolina
No. 2 Doubles: Ben Kelley and Joel Roberts, Presbyterian
No. 3 Doubles: Steven Billington and Nicolas Rakitin, Campbell

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Players Mentioned

Nicholas Sayer: 5' 8"; Senior

Patrick O'Keefe: 5' 11"; Senior

Javier Waase: 5' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Nicholas Sayer
: 5' 8"; Senior

Patrick O'Keefe
: 5' 11"; Senior

Javier Waase
: 5' 9"; Senior