OU Tennis: Alvarez Named Player of the Year

Oklahoma men's tennis player Axel Alvarez was named the 2015 ITA National College Player of the Year, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced Wednesday. The award is given annually to the player who has the most outstanding year in NCAA Division I college tennis.

“It is a tremendous honor for Axel to be named ITA National Player of the Year,” OU coach John Roddick said. “It is a testament to his hard work and ability. As a program, we are very proud of his effort and the kind of player and person he is. We are looking forward to having him back for one more year.”

Alvarez, a junior this past season, will be honored on Saturday, July 18 in Newport, R.I., at a special awards luncheon during the Rolex Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, immediately prior to the 2015 International Tennis Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony.

The award adds to an already impressive haul for Alvarez, who is the first Sooner ever to earn the honor. Alvarez was also named the 2015 Big 12 Player of the Year, an ITA All-American in both singles and doubles, All-Big 12 in both singles and doubles, and became the first Sooner ever to be ranked No. 1 in the Oracle/ITA Division I National Men's Singles Rankings.

Alvarez began his 2014-2015 campaign in the fall by winning a second consecutive USTA/ITA Central Region Singles Championship. He went on to advance to the quarterfinals of the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championship.

In the spring, the junior won 23 consecutive dual matches in singles while helping the Sooners maintain the No. 1 ranking for the bulk of the season. Alvarez led Oklahoma to its first ever ITA Division I National Men's Team Indoor Championship title and its fourth straight Big 12 Championship, and took the Sooners all the way to the final at the 2015 NCAA Championships for the second straight year. Alvarez finished 39-6 in singles, the third most wins in a single season in program history, and went 19-3 against top-30 ranked players. He was also dominant in postseason play, going 6-1 at No. 1 singles during the Big 12 and NCAA Championships.

Alvarez shined in doubles as well, going a combined 30-12. His 30 wins were the second most in a single season in OU history, just three shy of his own record of 33 set in 2014. Alvarez finished the season ranked No. 8 in the country in doubles with partner Dane Webb.