For Immediate Release: February 14, 2001
Contact: Derek Smolik, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations

UT Pan American’s Meiners Named Southland Conference Tennis Player of the Week

EDINBURG – University of Texas-Pan American men’s tennis player Brandon Meiners was named Southland Conference player of the week for his performance for the week of February 6^th - 12^th.

Meiners, a freshman from Weslaco, went 1-0 in singles and 1-1 in double for the Broncs last week.  But, it was his win in singles that made him a strong candidate for the honor.  Meiners won a tough 4-6, 7-5, 12-10, come-from-behind victory over Eusebie Oprea of regionally ranked Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at number three singles.  That win helped UTPA to nearly upset the Islanders, who defeated the Broncs 4-3 on Saturday in Edinburg.

“This is a big step for our program,” said UTPA Head Coach Scott Howard.  “It’s only fitting that a local player, who’s also one of our newest additions, is the one that accomplishes this feat.  His win against Corpus Christi was one of the most intense matches I’ve seen as a coach and should serve as a great confidence builder for him.”

In his first season as a Bronc, Meiners is 5-5 overall in singles and is 2-3 in doubles play.

The Broncs return to action this Friday when they travel to the 66^th ranked Rice University Owls.  The match will start at 2:30 p.m. in Houston.