Three Cavaliers Earn ITA Atlantic Region Honors
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced today (June 12) the recipients of the 2024 Division I Men’s Regional Awards, recognizing coaches and players for their excellence on the court and in their communities throughout the season.
Chris Rodesch was named the ITA Atlantic Region Senior of the Year. Dylan Dietrich is the ITA Atlantic Region Rookie of the Year. Senior Alexander Kiefer earned the region’s Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership & Sportsmanship Award which recognizes outstanding student-athletes who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
Rodesch was an ITA All-American in singles for the third straight year, earning the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Singles Championship. The three-time All-ACC First Team honoree held a spot in the top 10 of the ITA rankings since mid-February, finishing the season ranked No. 7. He went 22-4 in singles this season, finishing his career with a 94-27 record. He also posted a 20-6 record in doubles, earning a spot on the All-ACC third team.
Dietrich, the ACC Freshman of the Year, advanced to the Round of 16 of the NCAA Singles Championship, earning ITA All-America honors. Ranked as high as No. 45 in singles during his rookie season, he posted a 23-7 record, and was voted to the All-ACC Second Team. He partnered with Kiefer in doubles, with the duo going 11-3.
After appearing in just eight matches his freshman year, Kiefer worked hard to earn a spot in the Cavaliers’ lineup, posting a 10-2 record in singles in the fall of his sophomore year and earned a spot in the doubles lineup for the ACC Championship run. In his junior season, Kiefer entered the Cavaliers’ singles lineup, going 10-0 in the ACC in singles play. During the NCAA Championship run, he won the clinching point in UVA’s semifinal win against No. 1 Texas and was voted to the NCAA All-Tournament team at No. 5 singles. This season, he posted his second-straight 20-win season in singles, including going 10-1 in conference play, giving him a combined ACC singles record of 20-1 in his junior and senior seasons. He consistently contributed in doubles, going 10-0 in dual matches during the regular season. Kiefer earned his degree from the McIntire School of Commerce in May 2024. He was voted the men’s tennis Teammate of the Year in 2023.
The national award winners selected from the pool of 12 regional winners for each honor will be announced on Thursday, June 13.
Wilson ITA Coach of the Year: Dominik Mueller, Old Dominion
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year: Othmane Lalami, Old Dominion
Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship: Alex Kiefer, Virginia
ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship: Ryan Fishback, Virginia Tech
ITA Most Improved Player: Mathis Bondaz, VCU
ITA Player to Watch: Mathis Bondaz, VCU
ITA Rookie of the Year: Dylan Dietrich, Virginia
ITA Senior Player of the Year: Chris Rodesch, Virginia