Men's Tennis | 5/14/2013 9:21:00 AM
Skillman, N.J. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association released its NAIA National and Regional Awards this week. Players Rafael Bulnes and Sean De Young were honored along with head coach Jeff Benito.
In his second year at the helm of the McPherson College Bulldog Tennis program, Coach Benito guided his men’s tennis team to a top 25 ranking in the NAIA all year long and just narrowly missed qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament. Benito was recognized by the ITA Central Region Committee with the ITA Central Region Coach of the Year honors for Men’s Tennis. Earlier this year, Benito was named the KCAC Tennis Coach of the Year.
Junior Sean De Young received the Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship and Leadership Award for the Central Region. The ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. This award, which dates back to 1982, goes to NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO men's and women's players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
Sophomore Rafael Bulnes was recognized by the Central Region as with its Player to Watch. Doubly, Bulnes was selected as the National Award Winner for the ITA’s Player to Watch Award. Bulnes has had a standout year for McPherson College, totaling a 39-10 combined record including a 20-5 mark in singles. He owns a Top 20 singles ranking and a Top 10 doubles ranking in the ITA NAIA College Tennis Rankings. Earlier this year Bulnes was a unanimous All-Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference selection and selected as the KCAC Player of the Year.
“I am very proud of both Rafael and Sean for being recognized by the ITA for these honors,” said Coach Benito. “Sean has been working very hard and is really coming through as a player and more so as an individual. Rafael is such a talent that I believe he’ll join the legendary ranks of Craig Holman, Marty Ward and Mark Melhorn in McPherson College Tennis history.
“The team as a whole really performed well this year. We dealt with quite a bit of adversity this season, but I’m glad that our team stuck with each other to pull everyone through. I’m excited to see what the future brings.”
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