March 16, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M senior All-American Conor Pollock (pronounced PAUL-luck) was named Big 12 Conference Men's Tennis Player of the Week for matches of March 9-15 by the league office on Monday.
It marked the first weekly career honor for Pollock who is a two-time All-Big 12 singles selection from San Antonio, Texas. He is currently ranked No. 24 nationally in singles and led the Aggies to a 4-3 upset of No. 7 Illinois on March 15 in College Station. The victory over the Fighting Illini marked the team's highest-ranked victory in the Steve Denton era and the highest since 2003, when the then No. 11-ranked Aggies defeated No. 7 Duke, 5-2, in College Station. Pollock becomes the first A&M player to receive a Big 12 weekly award since Matt Bain on April 16, 2006.
A&M's team captain and top player defeated No. 33-ranked Dennis Nevolo of Illinois in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, at the top of the lineup for the Aggies. It was his second-straight win against a ranked opponent after upsetting sixth-ranked Bryan Koniecko of Ohio State in a three-setter, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, in a close 4-3 loss to the No. 5 Buckeyes on March 13 in College Station. Pollock has compiled a team-leading 17-9 overall record with six dual match victories at No. 1 singles this season. His key victory over Nevolo gave him his 52nd career dual-match win which is currently tied for 24th all-time with former player Reid Freeman in the A&M record books.
Pollock also posted an undefeated 2-0 weekend at No. 1 doubles with sophomore All-American Austin Krajicek of Brandon, Fla. The Aggies' top tandem is currently ranked No. 6 nationally in the Campbell/ITA rankings with an impressive 18-5 overall record and 10-1 mark in dual matches this season which paces the Aggies. They clinched the doubles point against Illinois' top combination of No. 41-ranked Marek Czerwinski and Marc Spicijaric, 8-5. Pollock and Krajicek, NCAA Doubles Championship semifinalists in 2008, are currently on a four-match win streak including a 9-7 victory over Ohio State's top pairing of Matt Allare and Justin Kronauge, 9-7.