April 14, 2021
Just one day before the NJCAA Region XXIII Tournament, East Central Community College's Chris Lawrance (York, Australia) was tabbed as the UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) ITA Player of the Week.
With all five divisions in college tennis back to competing, the UTR ITA Player of the Week awards were given out to 10 student-athletes – five men and five women – to celebrate their success. All of the recipients had an outstanding week of play and shined for their respective teams. Their success was reflected in the change in their UTR — which was as large as a 0.60 increase.
The UTR ITA Player of the Week award is entering year two of being awarded. The UTR ITA Player of the Week awards program honors male and female individuals from all five divisions (NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, and Junior College) with weekly awards during the spring dual-match season.
Lawrance helped lead the Warriors to three dual-match victories this week. Playing at No. 1 singles, the sophomore won all three of his matches. Meridian's Matthew Tennant forced a third set against Lawrance but was unable to overcome Lawrance in the tiebreaker. In doubles play, Lawrance and partner Isaac Santitto (Innisfail, Australia) rattled off three straight wins. They have won four straight matches together at the top of the lineup.
Lawrance joins the likes of UCLA's Keegan Smith and others from around the country in receiving the prestigious nod.
The Warriors are set to take on Co-Lin tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the opening round of the NJCAA Region XXIII Tournament on the campus of Jones College in Ellisville.
