University of Georgia Team Page

ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia men’s tennis rookie Austin Smith on Wednesday was named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week, according to an announcement by the league office. It marks the first career weekly honor for Smith and the second for the Bulldogs after Ben Wagland earned the same recognition last week.

Smith helped the Bulldogs (14-4, 6-1 SEC) gain sole possession of first place in the conference race and a No. 3 national ranking this week after the squad posted two wins over top-15 opponents on the road last Friday and Sunday, with the Cumming, Ga., native providing the clinch in both matches at No. 4 singles.

Against No. 13 Vanderbilt on Friday he used a straight-set win over Marc van der Merwe to seal the victory for Georgia, while at No. 4 Kentucky on Sunday he used a gutsy three-set decision over Grant Roberts to give the Bulldogs their fourth point. Smith is now 12-3 in dual match play and 5-1 in conference outings, currently riding a five-match winning streak.

Smith and the Bulldogs are next in action this Sun., March 31 as they host 12th-ranked Texas A&M at 1 p.m. at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.