Link: ITA Awards
TEMPE, Ariz. – The Carson-Newman men's tennis team was named a 2017 Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Academic team, for their work within the classroom.
A quartet of Eagles have been named to the ITA Scholar-Athletes lists for their academic achievements. Kevin Mendes (Chattanooga, Tenn.) a rising senior headlined the list for the Eagles, followed by rising juniors Jesus Bacete-Sanz (Madrid, Spain), Marc Bantel (Urbach, Germany), and rising sophomore Joey Stiles (New Oxford, Pa).
"This is truly a team effort to be named an ITA All-Academic Team." Carson-Newman coach Jean Love said, "There were several individuals who made the commitment to step it up in the classroom so that we could achieve this award."
Mendes had a fantastic junior campaign with an overall record of 11-4 as the Eagles No.6 singles player. The Chattanooga native went 8-3 in South Atlantic Conference play, and also played No.3 doubles with Bacete-Sanz to close out the 2017 season. Mendes is a biochemistry major with a 3.83 cumulative GPA heading into his senior year.
Bacete-Sanz finished his junior season with an overall singles record of 4-4 with one win coming in SAC play. In doubles play the native of Spain went 6-11 overall and 4-6 in conference play with multiple partners. The junior acquired a 3.66 GPA while working towards his business management degree.
Bantel competed in all 18 matches for the Eagles this past season. The native of Germany was primarily used as the No. 3 singles players for the Eagles and compiled an overall record of 6-12. Bantel was also 5-8 in doubles play with partners Stefano Daza and Bacete-Sanz. Bantel finished the 2016-2017 academic year with a 3.80 GPA in business management.
Stiles only saw action in two matches during his freshman campaign and split the pair of matches. The native of New Oxford, finished the academic year with a 3.94 GPA while studying biology.
In order to be named to a scholar-athlete, the student-athlete must have a minimum of 3.5 GPA. This is the second year in a row that the men's tennis team has placed at least four players on the list.
To stay updated on all of the Carson-Newman men's tennis news follow online at cneagles.com.
