A freshman duo earned Big West Men's and Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week honors as Cal Poly's Ben Donovan and Cal State Northridge's Vivian Lin won singles matches at the top of the lineup against conference opponents.

Donovan Helps Cal Poly Bust Into Win Column

Freshman Ben Donovan (Germantown, Tenn/Advantage Tennis Academy) helped Cal Poly to a 2-0 start in conference play with strong play at the top singles spot, capturing Big West Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week honors.

The Mustangs picked up their first wins of 2014 as they defeated UC Irvine (6-1) and UC Riverside (7-0) on the road.  Donovan, who moved to the No. 1 position on the singles ladder for the first time this season, swept UCI’s Ryan Cheung, 7-5, 6-2.

Donovan handed Cooper Bridge of UCR a 6-2, 6-1 loss and teamed with Garrett Auproux at No. 3 doubles to defeat Highlander duo Luis Gastao and Sean Robles, 8-7 (4).

Others nominated: Jonathan Hammel (UC Irvine); Tobias Galskov (UC Santa Barbara)

Lin Instrumental In Near Upset Of Long Beach State

Cal State Northridge freshman Vivian Lin (Hong Kong/Laurel Springs HS) earned her second Big West Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week award after nearly leading the Matadors to an upset of league-leading Long Beach State.

Lin played a part in two of the Matadors’ three points in a close 4-3 loss to the 50th-ranked 49ers.  She rallied from a set down to defeat LBSU’s Ebba Unden in a marathon 2-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (6) match.  At No. 1 doubles, Lin and partner Criss Rodriguez helped CSUN claim the doubles point as they upended Unden and Maeva Razakasoa, 8-3.

Others nominated: Camille De Leon (Cal State Fullerton); Karolina Rozenberg (Long Beach State); Melissa Kobayakawa (UC Davis); Ali Facey (UC Irvine); Jasmine Almaguer (UC Riverside); April Scatliffe (UC Santa Barbara)