ATLANTA, Ga. (February 28, 2024) - Bryce VanOrder (Piedmont) was Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Men’s Tennis Player of the Week, while Mark Backeberg (Piedmont) earned this week’s Men’s Tennis Rookie of the Week, released by the league office on Wednesday.
 
The duo, Abraham Gonzalez and Justin Humphrey (Belhaven) was named Men’s Doubles Team of the Week.
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Bryce VanOrder, Piedmont
Senior  |  Cartersville, Ga.
 
VanOrder delivered an exceptional performance, maintaining an undefeated streak in both singles and doubles play, guiding the Lions to a flawless 3-0 record. Demonstrating his skill, the senior secured two impressive singles victories at the No. 1 slot against Brevard and another win at the No. 2 slot against Methodist. Teaming up with doubles partner Mike Porcelli, they clinched a win at the No. 2 slot against Brevard and another victory at the No. 3 slot against Methodist. Notably, this marked the Lions' second-ever triumph over the Monarchs and their first victory at home.
 
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK – Mark Backeberg, Piedmont
Freshman  |  Cape Town, South Africa
 
Backeberg emerged as a standout performer for the Lions, boasting a stellar 2-0 record in singles play and an impressive 1-0 record in doubles play. The freshman secured a commanding 6-0, 6-2 victory at the No. 1 slot against Truett McConnell, followed by another notable win at the No. 3 slot against Methodist. Teaming up with Charles Parnelli in doubles play, they delivered a solid 6-2 win in the No. 2 doubles slot.
 
DOUBLES TEAM OF THE WEEK – Abraham Gonzalez/Justin Humphrey, Belhaven
Seniors | Morelia, Mexico/ Florence, Miss.
 
Gonzalez and Humphrey showcased their prowess as the No. 1 doubles slot, securing two impressive victories over the weekend. They defeated the top pairing from Division II Christian Brothers with a hard-fought 8-6 win and clinched another thrilling victory with a 9-8 (6) triumph over Marion Military Institute. Notably, in their match against Christian Brothers, the Belhaven duo staged a remarkable comeback from being down 5-0 in the No. 1 doubles match to secure victory in a tiebreaker.
 
OTHER PLAYERS NOMINATED
 

MEN’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK	Brock Boehling (Covenant)
MEN’S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK	n/a
MEN’S DOUBLES TEAM OF THE WEEK	Bryce VanOrder/Michael Porcelli (Piedmont)

 
PAST WEEKLY HONOREES
Week 2
Week 1
 
ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine member institutions (Agnes Scott College, Berea College, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Maryville College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
 
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