NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Redshirt junior Ryan Lipman has earned the ITA Ohio Valley Region Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, it was announced Friday afternoon.
By winning the regional award, Lipman is now eligible to win the national ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
The ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. In August the national winners are honored during a special ceremony hosted by the USTA during Arthur Ashe Kids' Day inside Ashe Stadium. This award which dates back to 1982, goes to NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO men's and women's players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
The Nashville native led the 16th-ranked Commodores to a Sweet 16 appearance, the first since 2004 and only the third in school history. He has compiled an overall singles record of 30-10 this season, including a 20-6 mark in dual play.
Through three years of competition, Lipman has compiled a career record of 77-35 in singles play. He was named to the All-SEC First Team for the third time in his career, making him only the second Commodore to earn All-SEC First Team three times.
Lipman will represent Vanderbilt in the NCAA Singles Championship, May 22-27, in Urbana, Ill., after the team championships conclude. He is one of 16 nationally-seeded players in the 64-player field. Lipman has been ranked in the top 20 the entire dual season, and as high as No. 10 in the country.
