University of Georgia Athletics
Ponwith a Four-Time Freshman of the Week
April 05, 2017 | Men's Tennis
ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia men's tennis player Nathan Ponwith has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for a league-best fourth time this season, the conference office announced on Wednesday.
Not only is it his fourth time to garner the honor, but he has accomplished the feat in back-to-back weeks since moving up to the No. 1 singles spot for the Bulldogs. Ponwith is 3-0 at the No. 1 position with wins against three ranked opponents. This past week, the Scottsdale, Ariz., native moved back into the rankings at No. 64 — tied for the largest jump by any singles player in the nation.
"Nathan has established himself as one of the top young players in the SEC and in the country," head coach Manuel Diaz said. "He continues to work hard every single day and is not only making himself better but is also making our team better. Nathan is playing very elite players at that No. 1 spot, and so far he has answered the call. For him, he has to continue to compete and buy in to what we expect of him day-in and day-out."
Ponwith helped Georgia improve to 9-0 in SEC play with a 6-1, 6-2 victory against Auburn's then-67th-ranked Max Hinnisdaels in singles, which followed a 6-1 win with teammate Emil Reinberg in doubles. Ponwith boasts a 19-7 mark overall in singles and has 12 total doubles victories this season.
Ponwith and the Bulldogs host a pair of big matches this week at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Georgia welcomes No. 14 Florida at 6 p.m. ET on Friday and will host No. 20 South Carolina at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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