UIC's Cristescu, Cleveland State's Orno highlight Horizon League Tennis All-League & Specialty Awards
April 25, 2008
Indianapolis -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Cleveland State University sophomore Phil Orno and University of Illinois at Chicago freshman Ilinca Cristescu were recognized as the 2008 Horizon League Men's and Women's Tennis Players of the Year on Friday as the League announced this year's All-League teams and specialty award winners at its championship banquet.
In his second season at Cleveland State, Orno compiled a 15-2 overall record at No. 1 singles, including a 6-0 mark in League play, and is currently riding a 17-match winning streak into the championships. At doubles, Orno has posted a 13-4 record as part of the Vikings' top duo, as he played a large role in helping Cleveland State secure the top seed for the championship.
Cristescu posted undefeated records in League play at No. 1 singles (8-0) and No. 3 doubles (7-0) in her first year of collegiate tennis. She is on a 10-match winning streak heading into the League championships, and her impressive freshman performance garnered her Newcomer of the Year honors in addition to being named Player of the Year.
Butler University freshman Brandon Bayliss was named the Newcomer of the Year on the men's side after remaining undefeated in League play during his rookie season, playing at No. 4 and No. 5 singles for the Bulldogs. He has won 13 of his last 14 singles matches, while also tallying a 4-2 doubles record against conference foes.
UIC's Hans Neufeld and Shannon Tully swept Coach of the Year honors after their respective squads fared very well against League opponents. Neufeld, in his seventh season at UIC, guided the men's team to a 4-3 victory over Butler, and his first win over the Bulldogs, who at the time had not lost a League match in 49 attempts. Neufeld also led the Flames to a 13-9 overall record and a 5-1 mark in conference action. Tully passed a milestone this season at the helm of the women's program, guiding her team to UIC's 100th-consecutive League match victory. Tully herself has a 68-0 League record in her seven years as head coach and a 104-61 overall mark. This is Tully's fifth honor as Coach of the Year.
The League's final specialty honor, the Herb Foster Sportsmanship Award, was presented to UIC senior Eric Fey and Cleveland State senior Morgan Ungerott . The award was named in honor of the late coach who led Wright State University from 1996-2004, and recognizes student-athletes who display admirable conduct both on and off the courts.
In addition to Orno, other member's of the men's All-League First Team include Butler senior Eric Breitenbach and sophomore Ben Raynauld, Cleveland State sophomore Ryan Hamning, and Wright State junior Nick Camilleri and senior Tony Teufel. Members of the All-League Second Team include Fey and UIC teammates Bastian Harbo, Adriano Liccardo and Sebastian Lystad, as well as Cleveland State's Robert Fox, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Tim Prudlow, and Youngstown State University's Scott Kathary.
Cristescu is joined on the women's All-League First Team by her teammates, sophomore Kristen McPhillips and senior Lubica Nadasska, Butler sophomore Molly Casperson and freshman Natali Jaimes, and University of Detroit Mercy juniors Zeljka Minic and Annie Moore. The All-League Second Team is comprised of Cleveland State's Melissa Holzinger and Jackie Tabb, Detroit's Aneta Maricevic, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Kelly Drvaric and Youngstown State's Anna Volkova.
The 2008 Horizon League Men's and Women's Tennis Championships continue tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. with the men taking the courts for first round play. The women will continue with second round play at 10 a.m.
