Lexington. Ky. ? Kentucky men?s tennis standout Bruno Agostinelli was named the 2006 Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year Wednesday announced by the league office after finishing the regular season 25-17, playing mainly in the No. 1 or 2 spot in the Cats? lineup. Agostinelli becomes the first Wildcat since Jesse Witten in 2002 to capture the award. UK?s top senior, Alex Hume, also gained All-SEC recognition by being named first team All-SEC.
“Winning SEC Freshman of the Year was a complete surprise and an honor,” Bruno Agostinelli said. “I never thought about winning awards during the season. I always concentrated on doing my best to win matches.”
Agostinelli has made an immediate impact on the Cats? squad helping the team overcome the loss of Witten, a four-time All-American. The Niagara Falls, Canada, native claimed victory in his first seven collegiate matches this past fall, including winning the A2 singles flight at the Middle Tennessee State Fall Invitational in his first tournament.
In SEC action, Agostinelli has charted a 4-7 record playing against opposing school?s top players. Agostinelli?s conference victories have come against UT?s Bobby Cameron, ?Bama?s No. 75 Joseph Jung, Auburn?s No. 123 Alex Schweizer and Vandy?s Andy Mack. Agostinelli is currently ranked No. 73 after being ranked as high as No. 32 as recently as March 20th.
?When I first met Bruno, I thought he had a chance to be a special player,? head coach Dennis Emery said. ?I believe that after seeing him play at this level this season the coaches in the conference saw the player I thought he could be from the start.
?It?s tough to come in to the SEC as a freshman and play at the No. 1 or 2 spot. Bruno?s tremendous skills allowed him to do so. Hopefully it?s a sign of good things to come.?
Hume has had an outstanding senior season finishing second on the team with 28 victories. The Alexandria, Va., native went 7-4 this season in the SEC. From Jan. 28-March 12, Hume won a career-best 13 consecutive matches including a victory over then fourth-ranked Lars Poerschke of Baylor. Four of Hume?s seven SEC wins have come against players ranked in the top 110.
?For a player who came here originally as a walk-on to become first team All-SEC is a tremendous testament to Alex?s hard work,? Emery said. ?Alex came here and started playing No. 6 and worked his way to the No. 1 spot and a No. 51 ranking. He (Hume) is what we think our program is all about-developing young players.?
The Wildcats, who have a first-round bye, will return to action this Friday when they take on either No. 20 LSU or No. 62 Mississippi State in the second round of the SEC Tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Fans can check ukathletics.com for live stats and recaps throughout UK?s tournament run.
