SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga’s Kerim Hyatt has been named the Southern Conference men’s tennis player of the week for all matches played from March 21-27, the conference announced on Tuesday. The award is selected by the league office.
 
Hyatt went a combined 4-0 on the week in helping the Mocs to 4-3 wins over ETSU and Mercer, extending UTC’s winning streak to five matches and getting the squad off to its best SoCon start since 2002 at 3-0.
 
Playing at No. 2 doubles with partner Kristof Kincses, Hyatt helped the Mocs capture the doubles point against ETSU on Friday with a 6-2 win over Juan Lobisano and Peter Kalocsai. Playing at the top flight in singles play, the senior from Charleston, South Carolina, picked up a straight-sets win over two-time defending SoCon Player of the Year Dimitri Badra, earning the 6-3, 6-4 victory.
 
Two days later against Mercer, Hyatt and Kincses picked up a 6-1 win over Andrew Branicki and Samuel Barrow at No. 2 as the Mocs earned the doubles point. At No. 1 singles, Hyatt again won in straight sets, claiming a 6-4, 6-2 win over Mariano Argote.
 
The weekly award is the second of Hyatt’s career. His first came on Feb. 22, 2022.
 
Chattanooga (13-4, 3-0 SoCon) hosts Furman (7-11, 1-1) on Saturday at noon and Wofford (5-12, 1-3) on Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
Also nominated: Jerry Barton (Furman), Maxwell Giddens (Samford) and Ashe Ray (Wofford).
 
SoCon Men’s Tennis Players of the Week
Jan. 17          Thiago Pernas, ETSU
Jan. 24          David Flisberg, UNCG
Jan. 31          Mohammed Ali Bellalouna, Samford
Feb. 7            Sandeep Mohandoss, Samford
Feb. 14          Maxwell Giddens, Samford
Feb. 21          Ryan Mudre, Chattanooga
Feb. 28          Dimitri Badra, ETSU
March 7         Dimitri Badra, ETSU
March 14       Alex Horn, Wofford
March 21       Sebastian Kamieniecki, The Citadel
March 28       Kerim Hyatt, Chattanooga