April 21, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS - UIC men's tennis player freshman Alexander Raa was honored for his outstanding rookie season at the Horizon League Championship banquet on Thursday evening, being named the Co-Newcomer of the Year.

Raa, who shared the award with Cleveland State's Matt Kuelker, posted a 5-16 record in singles and a 10-7 mark in doubles, both at the top slot for the Flames this season.

The Flames' No. 1 singles player was also named to the All-League First Team in his freshman campaign. Raa's biggest win came over Butler's Brandon Bayliss, who was awarded the Player of the Year honors. Bayliss went a perfect 7-0 in the Horizon League during the regular season, before losing to Raa and UIC in the opening round of the Championships at North Central High School in Indianapolis earlier today, 4-3.

"Raa is an outstanding talent and keeps improving everyday," said head coach Hans Neufeld. "He has what it takes to lead our team, and accomplish things that haven't been done yet at UIC to this point."

The UIC men's tennis team will take on the three-time defending champion Cleveland State on Friday, beginning at 9:30 a.m., for the right to play in the championship match on Saturday.