KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's tennis team saw three different players earn postseason Mid-American Conference (MAC) awards, as freshman Kennosuke Nouchi was named the MAC Newcomer of the Year and All-MAC First Team, senior Matt Hamilton was named All-MAC First Team and senior Daniel Loebel was named All-MAC Second Team.
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A native of Kashima, Japan, Nouchi in his first season of collegiate competition at No. 1 and No. 2 singles finished with a 16-6 overall record and went 6-1 in the MAC during the spring. He also teamed with Daniel Loebel at No. 1 doubles with a 13-6 record, 2-2 in the MAC and was in the ITA Doubles Rankings as high as No. 74. He's the sixth MAC Newcomer of the Year in WMU history and first since Maik Steiner in 2015.
Hamilton finished this spring with an 18-5 overall record, 5-2 record in the MAC and went 2-0 in the MAC Tournament. He went 15-3 in doubles and finished 5-1 in the MAC. Hamilton finished his career with 207 career wins, placing him at No. 5 on the Bronco win's list. He was named to the All-MAC Second Team in 2016.
Loebel went 6-7 in dual matches and 4-2 in the MAC at No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6. He was stellar in doubles play, going 12-6 in dual matches and 2-2 in the MAC, MAC and was in the ITA Doubles Rankings as high as No. 74 with Nouchi. He was named to the 2016 All-MAC Tournament team.
WMU finished the season 16-8 overall and 6-1 in the MAC, but fell to top-seeded Buffalo in the MAC Tournament Championship. It was the 15th consecutive winning season for the Broncos and 20th straight finishing .500 or better.
