Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Motl Becomes Sixth Different Blue Raider to Earn Conference USA Athlete of Week This Season
3/16/2022 12:19:00 PM | Men's Tennis
DALLAS – Senior Pavel Motl was named the March 16 Conference USA Athlete of the Week after going 3-1 overall, including the clinching point over No. 65 South Florida.
With the announcement today naming Motl to the award, all six Blue Raider starters have earned the athlete of the week award this season for the first time under Head Coach Jimmy Borendame.
The Prštice, Czech Republic native has returned to form after suffering a shoulder injury towards the beginning of the season. From January 1 to February 6, Motl went 1-5 in singles with individual losses to No. 21 Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, and Notre Dame. Since that span, he has won six straight singles matches against some of the best teams in the nation and clinched the match point twice against No. 24 Auburn and No. 65 USF.
"Pavel had a tough start to the season being injured over Christmas break, but Coach Jimmy and I never doubted him and trusted him by giving him every opportunity, because we knew eventually, he would return to form," Assistant Coach Andrea Caligiana said. "We know he's a huge piece of this team, as a leader, as a player, and our team captain. He's done an incredible job with his leadership and we're super happy with his work on and off the court." Caligiana said.
In doubles competition, Motl has won four of his last six matches paired up with partner Slump on court No. 2. The duo was ranked as high as No. 44 in the country earlier this season.
Pavel has earned 132 wins overall in his four-year career as a Blue Raider.
Middle Tennessee men's tennis returns to action this weekend in the Lone Star State, taking on No. 42 SMU on Friday, March 18 at 2 p.m. and C-USA foe Rice on Sunday, March 20 at 11 a.m.
With the announcement today naming Motl to the award, all six Blue Raider starters have earned the athlete of the week award this season for the first time under Head Coach Jimmy Borendame.
The Prštice, Czech Republic native has returned to form after suffering a shoulder injury towards the beginning of the season. From January 1 to February 6, Motl went 1-5 in singles with individual losses to No. 21 Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, and Notre Dame. Since that span, he has won six straight singles matches against some of the best teams in the nation and clinched the match point twice against No. 24 Auburn and No. 65 USF.
PAVEL MOTL FOR THE WIN!!! 🔥🔥🔥#BlueRaiders pic.twitter.com/GeOhibPttj
— MT Men's Tennis (@MT_MensTennis) March 10, 2022
"Pavel had a tough start to the season being injured over Christmas break, but Coach Jimmy and I never doubted him and trusted him by giving him every opportunity, because we knew eventually, he would return to form," Assistant Coach Andrea Caligiana said. "We know he's a huge piece of this team, as a leader, as a player, and our team captain. He's done an incredible job with his leadership and we're super happy with his work on and off the court." Caligiana said.
In doubles competition, Motl has won four of his last six matches paired up with partner Slump on court No. 2. The duo was ranked as high as No. 44 in the country earlier this season.
Pavel has earned 132 wins overall in his four-year career as a Blue Raider.
Middle Tennessee men's tennis returns to action this weekend in the Lone Star State, taking on No. 42 SMU on Friday, March 18 at 2 p.m. and C-USA foe Rice on Sunday, March 20 at 11 a.m.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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