KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's tennis team and head coach Dave Morin have announced handed out its team awards after the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.
 
WMU wrapped up its season last Friday, falling to Notre Dame, 4-1, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Broncos won their 26^th Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship after going 9-0 in conference play during the season.
 
Freshmen Benjamin George and Brogan Pierce shared the Newcomer of the Year Award. Pierce went 16-2 in singles play on the season while George was 11-1, including 6-0 in MAC play.
 
"Ben and Brogan did everything we asked of them this year and both were a coach's dream doing," said Morin. "They did all the little things right and put in extra time on their own. Between the two of them they were a phenomenal 27-3 in singles."
 
The Most Improved Player Award went to sophomore Arjun Honnappa. Honnappa went 16-10 record in singles last year and improved to 17-4 this season, including 6-2 in MAC play. The Bengaluru, India, native also went 12-4 in doubles play.
 
"Arjun went home last summer and dedicated himself to elevating his play," added Morin. "He added 10 pounds of muscle along with significant improvements in his strokes and on-court tactics. He played some of his best tennis in our most important matches."
 
Senior Zac Faveri earned the Hap Sorensen Coach's Award. Faveri posted an 18-5 record in doubles play, pairing up with fellow senior Jannik Opitz. Faveri and Opitz were 9-3 at No. 1 and 9-1 at No. 2, while going 6-2 in conference play. The Guelph, Ontario, native also went 2-0 in singles on the year.
 
"Zac played great doubles for us this year," said Morin. "He was also one of our tri-captains and did a fantastic job of leading and mentoring our six young players. We will really miss his presence next year.
 
Peter Kuszynski and freshman Joaquin Caballer were named the Doubles Team of the Year. The duo went 13-3 at No. 3 doubles on the season, including 6-2 in conference play.
 
"We only lost the doubles point twice this year in our 24 dual matches," said Morin. "Peter and Joaquin were our anchors for that."
 
Opitz was named both the Singles Player of the Year and the Team MVP. The Hildesheim, Germany, native went 20-2 at No. 1 singles, including 9-0 in the MAC. During the season he broke the program's career records for total wins, singles wins and doubles wins. He went on to be named the MAC Player of the Year for the second time in his career.
 
"Teams in the MAC had five years to figure Jannik out but could never solve the riddle," said Morin. "He had an impressive 38-8 singles record in conference play during his career. He leaves WMU as arguably the best to ever suit up for the Brown & Gold. On top of that he was also a two-time Academic All-American and a great team player that will be sorely missed."
 
Morin also named the captains for the upcoming 2021-22 season, with Kuszynski and junior Fynn Lohse.
 
"We will be in great hands with Peter and Fynn leading our team next year. They're both exceptional students and players and have a passion for excellence on and off the court. They're ideal role models and leaders for the rest of our student-athletes."