April 25, 2013
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Senior Derek Siddiqui (Long Beach, Calif.), sophomore Thorsten Bertsch (Mannheim, Germany) and junior Hunter Nicholas (Park City, Utah) each earned Men's Tennis All-Mountain West first-team honors, the conference announced on Thursday.
Siddiqui and Bertsch were each named first-team singles, while the Aztecs doubles team of Bertsch and Nicholas were also first-team selections. It's the second-career honor for both Siddiqui and Bertsch in singles, as well as the second-career honor for Bertsch in doubles.
Siddiqui finished with 53 total regular season dual-match victories in two seasons at SDSU, including 26 in singles play. He went 14-10 this dual season in singles play, mostly in the No. 1 singles slot. In addition, Siddiqui recorded three victories against ranked opponents, finished 5-1 in MW play and had a five-match winning streak. He also beat 2013 MW Player of the Year, Andy Bettles of Boise State.
Bertsch finished the dual season with a 16-5 singles record and a 4-1 mark in MW play. The sophomore has won seven of his last nine singles matches, is 3-2 against ranked opponents, and is 14-2 in the No. 2 singles slot. He now has 64 total career dual-match victories in two seasons at SDSU.
Nicholas and Bertsch went 8-10 in the No. 1 doubles slot this dual season, including 3-1 in conference play. The duo had a season-high three-match winning streak, and finished the dual season winning two straight.
The Aztecs (18-7, 6-0 MW) return to action on Saturday, April 27, in the MW semifinals against New Mexico, beginning at 2 p.m. MT, at USAF Academy, Colo.
All-Mountain West First-Team Singles
Senior Derek Siddiqui
Sophomore Thorsten Bertsch
All-Mountain West First-Team Doubles
Junior Hunter Nicholas/Sophomore Thorsten Bertsch