SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced the individual awards and all-conference teams for the 2016 men’s tennis season today (April 19). ETSU junior David Biosca was named the Southern Conference Men’s Tennis Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Biosca’s teammate, Wenceslao Albin, was named the league’s Freshman of the Year, while ETSU’s Yaser Zaatini was named the league’s Coach of the Year. Chattanooga’s Luke Saunders repeated as the winner of the league’s Don Bunch/Buddy Hartsell Sportsmanship Award. Postseason balloting was conducted by the league’s head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes.

After winning the league’s top award in 2015, Biosca becomes just the sixth player in league history to win the award in consecutive years. His head coach, Zaatini, was the first to do so, in 1992 and 1993. Other players to repeat include Davidson’s Jon Pastel (1996, 1997), College of Charleston’s Or Dekel (2006, 2007) and Elon’s Cameron Silverman (2013, 2014). Biosca posted a 15-4 record in singles play this spring and was 5-1 in league matches.

The only person in league history to be named the conference’s Player of the Year and Coach of the Year in his career, Zaatini was named the league’s top coach for the fourth time. He previously won the award in 2004 and 2005 and was name the league’s top coach last season in ETSU’s first year back in the SoCon. This year’s team finished the regular season 15-5 and was 7-0 in league play.

Albin is just the second Buc to ever be named the league’s top freshman, joining Oscar Posada in 2004. Albin finished his freshman campaign 6-3 in singles play and went 2-0 in conference matches.

Saunders is the first player to repeat as winner of the Don Bunch/Buddy Hartsell Sportsmanship Award since Furman’s Bo Ladyman (2008, 2009). Saunders joins fellow Moc Jason Ontog (2002, 2003) as the only two UTC players to win the award multiple times. Saunders competed in the middle of the UTC singles lineup and paired with Lucas Plesky at No. 1 doubles for UTC. They finished the spring 9-5, including a 7-4 record at No. 1 doubles.

ETSU and Furman each placed two individuals on the all-conference first team. In addition to Biosca, ETSU was represented by Rogerio Ribeiro, while Furman placed Cameron Green and Adam Steryous on the first team. Wofford’s Haris Poric was named to the first team for the second consecutive season. Samford’s Fares Kilani earned the final spot on the first team.

Biosca and Ribeiro were selected as a first-team all-conference doubles team. ETSU’s team of Robert Herrera and Diego Nunez were also tabbed to the first team along with Samford’s Leonard Gerch and Trey Carter.

Second-team all-conference selections are made based on position. ETSU’s Nunez (No. 3) and Herrera (No. 4) were slotted on the second team in singles. Chattanooga’s Plesky was picked at No. 1, while Samford’s Carter was the pick at No. 2. UNCG’s Warren Bryan got the nod at No. 5 singles, with Mercer’s Fernando Guardia taking the No. 6 position.

Chattanooga’s Plesky and Saunders were picked at No. 1 doubles on the second team, while Furman’s Green and Steryous earned the second position. Due to a tie in the balloting, the No. 3 doubles position was split between Samford’s Kilani and Justin Ghavami and ETSU’s Ismael Merino and Sebastian Yllera.

Albin secured a spot on the all-freshman team, where he was joined by Furman’s Josh Pistorius and Wofford’s Kyle Barr.

The 2016 Southern Conference Men’s Tennis Championship begins Friday (April 22) in Chattanooga, Tenn.

2016 SoCon Men’s Tennis Postseason Awards

First Team
Singles
David Biosca, ETSU
Rogerio Ribeiro, ETSU
Cameron Green, Furman
Adam Steryous, Furman
Fares Kilani, Samford
Haris Poric, Wofford

Doubles
David Biosca/Rogerio Ribeiro, ETSU
Robert Herrera/Diego Nunez, ETSU
Leonard Gerch/Trey Carter, Samford

Second Team
Singles (by position)
No. 1 – Lucas Plesky, Chattanooga
No. 2 – Trey Carter, Samford
No. 3 – Diego Nunez, ETSU
No. 4 – Robert Herrera, ETSU
No. 5 – Warren Bryan, UNCG
No. 6 – Fernando Guardia, Mercer

Doubles (by position)
No. 1 – Lucas Plesky/Luke Saunders, Chattanooga
No. 2 – Cameron Green/Alex Steryous, Furman
No. 3 – Justin Ghavami/Fares Kilani, Samford
(tie) – Ismael Merino/Sebastian Yllera, ETSU