McGaffigan, Oliver Take Illinois Tennis MVP Honors
May 2, 2001 | Men's Tennis
May 2, 2001
Their seasons are not over yet, but the Illinois men's and women's tennis teams took time out this evening to celebrate. And they've had plenty to celebrate. They enjoyed the evening at the annual Advantage Illinois Tennis Awards Banquet at the Hawthorne Suites in Champaign.
Both teams will view live press conferences via internet video tomorrow afternoon, when the brackets and regional sites will be released. The UI men (21-6 overall, 12-1 Big Ten, ranked No. 12) and women (17-7 overall, 11-2 Big Ten, ranked No. 31) are both expected to receive berths. The men's team is likely to host NCAA Rounds 1 and 2 May 11-12.
But tonight was an opportunity for the seniors to reflect on their Illinois tennis careers and for all of the players and staff to take pride in their accomplishments and gear up for the tournament trail. Veterans Ben Schreiber and Graydon Oliver made the senior speeches for the men's squad, and Simone Kung and Carla Rosenberg made their remarks for the women's team.
Headlining the list of award winners was Oliver and freshman Jennifer McGaffigan, who were chosen as MVP's of their respective teams. McGaffigan, who had just been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and who was chosen as one of 12 players on the All-Big Ten team, played No. 1 singles for the Fighting Illini women for most of the season. She has put together a 30-16 singles record. Her 30 wins thus far this year are the most ever for an Illinois freshman in a season, and third-most on the all-time single-season victories list.
Oliver, who plays at No. 1 in both singles and doubles for the Illini men, has had a profound impact in his two-year stay at Illinois after transferring from Alabama. He won the 2000 national collegiate doubles championship with former Illini Cary Franklin, and has been ranked as high as No. 1 this season with his new partner, freshman Amer Delic. That No. 1 ranking was the first ever for an Illinois individual or doubles team. Oliver and Delic are ranked No. 2 nationally this week.
"Jenny has had an amazing year," said Lama, head coach of the UI women. "on and off the court. For a freshman to play No. 1 and have that kind of a season and leading our team to it's best season yet, is tremendous.
"One of Jenny's attributes is that she is one of the most humble people I know. She is absolutely a team player. She would have been perfectly willing to play at No. 6, instead of No. 1, and she would have done it with a smile on her face."
"Graydon has been a very productive player for us in the two short years he's been here," said men's head coach Craig Tiley of Oliver, who last night received the Big Ten Medal of Honor at Illinois' annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet. "To have won the NCAA doubles title a year ago and come right back this year with a new partner, a freshman, and to earn the No. 1 ranking, is an amazing accomplishment."
Oliver and McGaffigan's awards weren't the only ones bestowed this evening. The rest are as follows:
GEORGE HUFF AWARDS (excellence in both athletics and academics): Women: sophomore Eldina Fazlic, senior Simone Kung, senior Carla Rosenberg and sophomore Michelle Webb Men: junior Mike Kosta, senior Graydon Oliver, senior Ben SchreiberSCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD (highest GPA on the team): Women: sophomore Michelle Webb, 3.976 in kinesiology Men: senior Graydon Oliver, 3.590 in Business Administration
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING AWARD: Women: sophomore Michelle Webb and senior Simone Kung Men: freshman Michael Calkins
FIGHTING ILLINI SPIRIT AWARD: Women: Michelle Webb Men: Mike Kosta
PLAYER TO WATCH: Women: Jennifer McGaffigan Men: Amer Delic
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Women: Michelle Webb Men: Phil Stolt, Michael Calkins
