CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois men's tennis freshman Sasha Colleu was named the Big Ten Men's Tennis Freshman of the Week following the Fighting Illini's season opener on Jan. 16, the conference office announced on Wednesday.
Colleu earned the distinction after winning both his singles and doubles matches in Illinois' season-opening contest against No. 7 Mississippi State at Atkins Tennis Center, during which Colleu made his dual debut.
The Miami native teamed up with fellow freshman Gabriel Debru to register a 6-0 victory over the Bulldogs' Niccolo Baroni and Mario Martinez Serrano on Court 2, helping the Orange and Blue claim the doubles point.
In singles play, Colleu secured a straight-set victory over No. 34-ranked Bryan Hernandez Cortes. Breaking twice within the first three games, the freshman tallied a 6-3 decision in the opening frame before posting a bagel in the second set en route to his 6-3, 6-0 win.
Colleu earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for the first time in his career. He is the second Fighting Illini freshman to achieve that distinction this season, as Adam Jilly was tabbed with Big Ten Freshman of the Week status on Sept. 17.
Colleu and the Illini will compete in ITA Kickoff Weekend action from Jan. 23-24 in New York City. No. 25 Illinois will face No. 13 Columbia in the opening round on Friday at 2 p.m. CT before playing either Florida or No. 23 Kentucky on Saturday.
