University of Georgia Athletics
Pasha Gaining Experience For Senior Season
May 23, 2014 | Men's Tennis
May 23, 2014
By Brian Garcia
Grady Sports Media
ATHENS, Ga. --- University of Georgia tennis player Nathan Pasha's advancement to today's "Sweet 16" in the NCAA men's singles tournament is boosting his confidence and helping him develop as a team leader going into his senior season next year.
"He's made a lot of progress and he's showing tremendous growth," UGA coach Manuel Diaz said. "He's going to be a great leader for us as well as a great senior captain. His future is really bright."
Pasha plays second-seeded Marcos Giron of UCLA today for a chance to advance to the NCAA quarterfinals. Giron is the only top eight seed still in the men's draw.
"I grew up playing with Marcos, ever since we were 13 or 14." Pasha said. "We're good friends, we'll play and battle. Marcos is good and I look forward to playing him."
Pasha became an All-American Thursday when he defeated Greg Andrew of Notre Dame 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3 to secure a spot among the final 16 men.
"I had no idea until Manny told me," Pasha said of securing the All-American honor. "Everyone is telling me (not being told before the match) was for the best. I definitely would have been thinking about it. It feels good to be an all-American. I always wanted to be one of those."
This year is Pasha's second year participating in the men's singles tournament. In 2013, Pasha lost in the opening round against Michigan's Evan King, but that experience is something he is grateful for today.
"The experience always helps because you've been here before so it's not a big deal," Pasha said. "It helps you play a lot looser when you get here."
Pasha spent the majority of last season playing No. 2 and No. 3 singles for UGA. From the two and three spots, Pasha went 12-6.
After former Georgia No. 1 singles player KU Singh left the team in May 2013, Pasha predominately played in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots this season, going 8-8.
The move forced Pasha to play against better players and he says it has helped him prepare for this year's singles tournament.
"It always prepares you because you get competitive matches every single time regardless if you play a good team or a bad team," Pasha said. "I'm just fortunate because I get to have a lot of really tough matches all the time."
Pasha was named to the All-SEC first team this season, as well as being named to the 2014 Southeastern Conference Men's Service Team. Pasha was also elected co-president of the UGA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
"Nobody has a better work ethic," Diaz said. "Nobody will lead better than he can."
Garcia is a student in Grady Sports Media, a program at UGA's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
