SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota men’s tennis athlete Cian McDonnell and Kansas City women’s tennis athlete Riddhi Sharma took home this week’s Summit League Men’s and Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week honors after their performances helped guide their respective teams to league-opening victories.
 
The North Dakota men’s tennis team picked up a victory at home over Oral Roberts in its league opener with the help of McDonnell. McDonnell teamed up with Gerhard Sullwald to help secure the 1-0 lead over the Golden Eagles after taking their doubles match 6-4 at the top spot of the lineup. McDonnell went on to pick up a three-set win in singles action on the No. 3 court to give the Fighting Hawks the 6-1 win.
 
Sharma went 3-1 on the weekend and helped the Roos to a 2-0 record for the week’s competition. On Thursday, Sharma started the weekend teaming up with Anastassiya Timofeyeva to win a tiebreaker and clinch the doubles point 7-6 (7-5) against Saint Louis. Despite suffering a tough 6-2, 6-1 in singles against Saint Louis, Sharma was able to bounce back and help the Roos notch a 4-3 league-opening victory over South Dakota.
 
Sharma and teammate Timofeyeva once again matched up and dominated in doubles on the No. 3 court with a straight 6-0 win.  She carried the momentum into singles play rallying from behind to claim a 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 victory on the No. 2 court. Sharma’s comeback pushed the Roos into a position to defeat South Dakota 4-3.
 
Cian McDonnell, North Dakota
Fr | Belfast, Northern Ireland

• Earned his first career athlete of the week accolade
• Finished the weekend undefeated to help UND to a 1-0 start in league play
• Is currently riding a five-match win streak

Also nominated: Peter Sallay (Denver)
 
Riddhi Sharma, Kansas City
Jr | Delhi, India

• Earned her first career athlete of the week accolade
• Is riding a two-match winning streak in doubles, winning three of the last four
• Finished the weekend with a 3-1 overall record and helped the Roos to a 1-0 start in league play

Also nominated: Allie Ochotorena (North Dakota), Natalie Lorentz (Omaha)
 
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
 
March 2
M: Evan Fragistas, Drake
W: Britt Pursell, Denver
 
March 9
M: None
W: Yana Grechkina, Kansas City
 
March 16
M: Cian McDonnell, North Dakota
W: Riddhi Sharma, Kansas City