For Immediate Release: March 6, 2001
Contact: Derek Smolik, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations

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

EDINBURG – The University of Texas-Pan American’s Juan Saiz was named Southland Conference Men’s Tennis Player of the Week, for the week of February 26 through March 4.

Saiz, a senior from Albacete, Spain, went a combined 5-0 in singles and doubles last week for the Broncs.  He helped lead the Broncs to a perfect 3-0 mark last week, including UTPA’s first Southland Conference victory of the season, over Louisiana-Monroe.

Saiz twice teamed with Kareem Abdullah in doubles and picked up the win both times.  Both of their wins clinched the doubles point for the Broncs.  Their 8-6 win over Lars and Morten Sogaard of the University of the Incarnate Word clinched the match victory for the Broncs.  Their exciting 9-8 win over Fred Blaise and Jaime Pombo gave UTPA the doubles point.

Saiz won a tough 2-6, 6-3, 10-8, decision over UIW's Johan Said, which tied the match at 3-3 and helped lead to the win in doubles.  He also downed ULM's Adam Piskozyb 6-4, 6-4 in UTPA's upset of the Indians on Tuesday.  In addition he rolled past Spencer Reed of St. Mary’s, 6-4, 6-1, on Sunday.

Saiz is the second Bronc to earn Southland Conference Player of the Week honors.  Brandon Meiners picked up the honor just two weeks ago for UTPA.  The Broncs will next take the court on Friday through Sunday in the H.E.B. Classic in Corpus Christi.

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