SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga’s Niklas Gerdes has been named the Southern Conference men’s tennis player of the week for all matches played Jan. 28 to Feb 3, the conference announced Tuesday. The senior went 3-0 in singles play and 2-0 in doubles action as Chattanooga downed Presbyterian (6-1), UAB (5-1) and Birmingham-Southern (9-0). 
 
In singles, Gerdes, now 7-0 at No. 1 this season, picked up a 6-2, 6-2 against Presbyterian, a 6-4, 6-4 victory at UAB and a 6-1, 6-0 win at Birmingham-Southern. 
 
In doubles action, the native of Geestland, Germany, played at No. 2 with teammate Tomas Rodriguez. The pair won 6-3 against Presbyterian and 8-0 at Birmingham-Southern. The match at UAB went unfinished.
 
Chattanooga returns to action Friday, Feb. 7, at Belmont before hosting UNC Asheville on Sunday.  
 
Also nominated: Gavin Stewart (The Citadel) and Luke Andonov (Samford).
 
SoCon Men’s Tennis Players of the Week
Jan. 21 – Niklas Gerdes, Chattanooga
Jan. 28 – Yusuf Khamis, ETSU
Feb. 4 – Niklas Gerdes, Chattanooga