SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman senior Joel Cook has been named the Southern Conference Men’s Tennis Player of the Week for all matches played March 17-23. He finished a perfect 4-0 last week as Furman knocked off 68th-ranked Iowa (4-3) before holding off UNCG (4-3).
Competing at No. 4 singles, Cook downed Iowa’s Matt Hagan in straight sets (7-5, 7-6 [7-5]). Earlier in the match, Cook and Matt Browne held off Brian Alden and Michael Swank in doubles competition at the top spot with an 8-7 (7-4) victory.
Later in the week, Cook topped UNCG’s Gaston Murray 6-2, 6-1. In doubles play, Cook and Browne knocked off UNCG’s James Dougherty and Randy Phillips, 8-1, to give the Paladins’ top doubles team its fifth win in its last seven matches.
The Paladins return to the court Tuesday when Furman hosts The Citadel.
Other top performers in the Southern Conference included Appalachian State’s Oliver Casey, Davidson’s Ethan Kallick, Elon’s Juan Madrid, Georgia Southern’s Marco Osorio, Samford’s Elliot Barnwell, Chattanooga’s Gino Delavalle and Wofford’s Jackson Keith.
SoCon Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Feb. 18 – Cameron Silverman, Elon
Feb. 25 – James Dougherty, UNCG
March 4 – Jordan Kaufman, Elon
March 12 – Stefan Fortmann, Elon
March 18 – Stefan Fortmann, Elon
March 25 – Joel Cook, Furman