Texas Tech University Athletics
Siegel Named Big 12 Coach of the Year
May 02, 2005 | Men's Tennis
May. 2, 2005
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech head men's tennis coach Tim Siegel was the unanimous selection for the 2005 Big 12 Coach of the Year, which was announced today by the conference office. Sophomore Radek Nijaki was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and All-Big 12 in singles, while sophomore Bojan Szumanski was selected All-Big 12 for singles.
Siegel, who is in his 12th year at the helm of the Red Raiders, led Tech to a 23-3 record - the best in school history. Siegel is the first Red Raider mentor to earn the men's coaching award. The Red Raiders have been ranked as high at No. 9 in the country in the ITA Division I men's tennis rankings this season, the highest in school history, and are currently ranked No. 15 in the rankings released today. The Red Raiders began the year by winning their first 17 matches and finished tied for second in the Big 12 with a 5-2 mark.
Nijaki and Szumanski were two of four student-athletes who were unanimous selections for the All-Big 12 team for singles. Nijaki was a unanimous choice for Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.
The Zielona-Gora, Poland, native Nijaki is Tech's No. 1 player who had the top record in league matches with a 6-1 mark, while posting a spring record of 12-4. Nijaki is ranked No. 20 in the nation, fourth among sophomores.
Szumanski, a native of Opole, Poland, is the Red Raiders' No. 2 singles player who owns a 16-4 spring record and finished Big 12 play with a 3-4 mark. Szumanski is ranked No. 45 in the country in the latest ITA rankings.
The Red Raiders are currently awaiting the announcement of the 2005 NCAA Championship bracket, which will be announced on Wed., May 4, from 3:30-4 p.m. on ESPNews.
2005 ALL-BIG 12 TENNIS AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR Benedikt Dorsch, Baylor, Sr.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR Radek Nijaki, Texas Tech, So.**
FRESHMEN OF THE YEAR Lars Poerschke, Baylor, Fr. Jerry Makowski, Texas A&M, Fr.
COACH OF THE YEAR Tim Siegel, Texas Tech, 12th season**
ALL-BIG 12 TEAM
SINGLES
Benjamin Becker, Baylor, Sr.**
Benedikt Dorsch, Baylor, Sr.**
Lars Poerschke, Baylor, Fr.
Marko Bundalo, Colorado, Jr.
Ondrej Fukala, Oklahoma, Sr.
Marek Velicka, Oklahoma, So.
Tomas Bohunicky, Oklahoma State, Jr.
Mark Van Elden, Oklahoma State, Sr.
Callum Beale, Texas, Jr.
Travis Helgeson, Texas, Fr.
Jerry Makowski, Texas A&M, Fr.
Ante Matijevic, Texas A&M, Sr.
Radek Nijaki, Texas Tech, So.**
Bojan Szumanski, Texas Tech, So.**
DOUBLES
Benedikt Dorsch/Matija Zgaga, Baylor**
Lars Poerschke/Michal Kokta, Baylor
Tommy Garrison/Ondrej Fukala, Oklahoma**
Boris Kuharic/Juan Felipe Diaz, Oklahoma State**
Callum Beale/Travis Helgeson, Texas
Brett Joelson/Ante Matijevic, Texas A&M
** - Unanimous Selection
Ties in the voting created additional positions among singles players.
