Michael Shabaz Named ACC Tennis Player of the Week

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CHARLOTTESVILLE – Virginia senior tennis player Michael Shabaz (Fairfax, Va.) was named ACC Men’s Tennis Player of the Week, conference officials announced Tuesday. Shabaz helped the top-ranked Cavaliers win four matches last week as they opened dual match play.

Shabaz went 3-0 at No.1 singles and 3-0 at No. 1 doubles last week, as Virginia topped No. 75 William & Mary, No. 16 Illinois, No. 36 Notre Dame and Eastern Kentucky to open the season. He didn’t drop a set in his three singles wins, highlighted by a 6-1, 6-4 win over 11th-ranked Dennis Nevolo of Illinois. In doubles, Shabaz and Drew Courtney (Clifton, Va.) remained unbeaten in 2010-11 and ran their win streak to 13 consecutive matches against collegiate competition, dating back to last year’s NCAA Doubles Championship.

The award is the first of the year for a Cavalier. It marks the third time Shabaz has been honored in his career, as he was a two-time ACC Player of the Week last season.

The Cavaliers will host an ITA Kickoff Weekend event at the Boyd Tinsley Courts at the Boar’s Head Sports Club this weekend. The tournament, which serves as qualification for next month’s ITA National Team Indoor Championships, features four teams. On Friday, Virginia hosts Cornell at 6 p.m. The first match of the day, at 2 p.m., is between Binghamton and East Tennessee State. On Saturday, the consolation match is at 2 p.m. and the championship match is at 6 p.m. Admission to all the matches is free.