SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For the second consecutive week, Denver sweeps The Summit League Tennis Athlete of the Week honors. Denver men’s tennis athlete Matt Summers and women’s tennis athlete Taylor Melville claimed the weekly accolades after helping the Pioneers finish undefeated during the weekend’s competition.
 
The No. 42 ranked duo of Summers and James Davis clinched the doubles point against Utah State to give Denver an early 1-0 lead heading into singles play. Summers then turned around and earned a singles point at the No. 3 spot defeating his opponent 6-3, 6-0 to help secure the 6-1 victory over Utah State.
 
Against Utah, the dynamic duo of Summers and Davis were edged at the No. 1 spot in doubles action 7-6 (4), but Summers turned around and clinched the singles point at the No. 3 spot (6-1, 7-5, 6-2) to help the Pioneers claim the 4-3 victory at Utah.
 
Melville went 3-1 over the weekend with her only loss coming from the No. 1 spot of the doubles lineup in Denver’s match against BYU. Following a tough defeat in doubles, Melville went on to help the Pioneers pick up a 6-1 win over BYU after she won a tiebreaker to claim a victory at the top spot of the singles lineup.
 
Against Colorado, Melville and partner Toni Nelson were able to help the Pioneer claim the doubles point after securing a win at the No. 3 spot of the lineup. In singles play, Melville saved match points in the second set tiebreaker at the No. 1 spot to help give the Pioneers the 4-3 victory over the Buffaloes.
 
Matt Summers, Denver
Sr | Maidstone, U.K.

• Collected his third career athlete of the week honor
• Went undefeated in singles play at the No. 3 spot
• Helped Denver extend its win streak to five consecutive matches

Also nominated: Nam Pham (Illinois State), Edmond Aynedjian (North Dakota), Abdoul Ouattara (Omaha)
 
Taylor Melville, Denver
Jr | Duluth, Ga.

• Earned her fourth career athlete of the week accolade
• Went 3-1 in two matches to help Denver go undefeated in the weekend action
• Clinched the match point to help the Pioneers claim their fifth win in the last six matches

Also nominated: Jana Lazarevic (South Dakota), Oleksandra Nahurska (Oral Roberts), Natalie Lorentz (Omaha), Sapir Sela (North Dakota)
 
2021 Tennis Athletes of the Week
January 26
M: Abdoul Ouattara, Omaha
W: Madison Gallegos, Omaha
 
February 2
M: Edmond Aynedjian, North Dakota
W: Adrea Jasson, North Dakota
 
February 9
M: Melker Isaakson, Illinois State
W: Anna Riedmiller, Denver
 
February 16
M: James Davis, Denver
W: Britt Pursell, Denver
 
February 23
M: Matt Summers, Denver
W: Taylor Melville, Denver