Virginia Sweeps Men's Tennis All-State Honors
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia highlighted the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) University Division Men’s Tennis All-State Team released on Thursday (June 27), sweeping the major awards. Junior Carl Soderlund (Stockholm, Sweden) was named the VaSID State Player of the Year and Brandon Nakashima (San Diego, Calif.) garnered the State Rookie of the Year accolade. UVa head coach Andres Pedroso took home the State Coach of the Year honor after leading the Cavaliers to an NCAA Quarterfinal appearance.
Söderlund added to his award haul this season as he previously was named the ACC Player of the Year, ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the ITA Atlantic Region Player to Watch. Söderlund rose to as high as No. 3 in the ITA National Singles Rankings before finishing the year at No. 5. He capped the season taking home All-America honors.
In his first season in Charlottesville, Nakashima garnered All-ACC First Team distinction. He added the State Rookie of the Year honor to the ACC Freshman of the Year and ITA Atlantic Region Rookie of the Year awards. Nakashima finished the year in the national rankings in both singles (No. 64) and doubles (No. 11).
Pedroso led UVa to a turnaround season in 2019. The Hoos finished the year ranked No. 5 nationally after advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals. They rose to as high as No. 3 in the national rankings after ending 2018 at No. 41. Pedroso was also named the ACC Coach of the Year for his efforts.
Soderlund and Nakashima led the way on VaSID All-State First Team for singles. Nakashima earned All-State First-Team distinction in doubles as well along with senior Henrik Wiersholm (Kirkland, Wash.). The pair finished the year ranked No. 11 nationally and went 7-1 against ranked opponents.
VaSID All-State Men’s Tennis University Division
VaSID State Player of the Year – Carl Söderlund (Virginia)
VaSID State Rookie of the Year – Brandon Nakashima (Virginia)
VaSID State Coach of the Year – Andres Pedroso (Virginia)
VaSID All-State First Team
Singles
Amadeo Blasco (Longwood)
Jason Kros (Virginia Tech)
Nicaise Muamba (Liberty)
Brandon Nakashima (Virginia)
Carl Soderlund (Virginia)
Josh Wilson (Liberty)
Doubles
Pierre Kohler/Alvaro Arce (James Madison)
Aziz Kijametovic/Francois Musitelli (Old Dominion)
Brandon Nakashima/Henrik Wiersholm (Virginia)
VaSID All-State Second Team
Singles
Inigo Torre Martin (VCU)
Aziz Kijametovic (Old Dominion)
Sebastian Quiros (William & Mary)
Guilherme Sergio (Longwood)
Francois Musitelli (Old Dominion)
Matt Fernandez (Richmond)
Doubles
Chase Burton/Nicaise Muamba (Liberty)
Inigo Torre Martin/Arvid Noren (VCU)
Jason Kros/Brandon Perez (Virginia Tech)