University of Georgia Athletics
Alex Diaz Named SEC Freshman of the Week
April 18, 2018 | Men's Tennis
ATHENS, Ga. — Alex Diaz, who delivered a match-clinching win against No. 18 Kentucky this past Sunday, has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week by the league office.
With his team locked in a 3-3 battle with the Wildcats, the Athens native won a second-set tiebreaker, 7-5, against Gus Benson to secure Georgia's second consecutive conference victory. The win marked his fourth of the season and second in the last two weeks.
"Alex showed a ton of guts and tremendous poise against Kentucky on Sunday," head coach Manuel Diaz said. "He is really growing up fast in his first year playing collegiate tennis. I could not be more proud of him and the young man he has become both on and off the court. I look forward to watching him develop even more over the next four years."
The son of Coach Diaz and his wife Suzanne, Alex came to Georgia by way of Monsignor Donovan High School. He has filled a key position for the Bulldogs this season and now plays both singles and doubles. In addition to his win against Benson from Kentucky, Diaz teamed with Emil Reinberg to clinch the crucial doubles point in a 4-1 victory against No. 22 Vanderbilt last Friday.
This week, Diaz and the Bulldogs are preparing for the SEC Tournament, which begins Thursday, April 26 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. No. 8 seed Georgia will face No. 9 seed Arkansas at 5 p.m. ET next Thursday.
