SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For the fourth time this season, Denver swept the TicketSmarter Summit League Men’s and Women’s Tennis Peak Performers of the Week honors, League officials announced on Tuesday. Daniel Sancho Arbizu garnered the men’s honor, while Claudia Martinez de Velasco collected the women’s award.
Sancho Arbizu went undefeated in singles and doubles during a two-match week, including at the No. 1 singles spot against No. 37-ranked UTSA on the road. The Zaragoza, Spain native returned to DU’s top singles spot for the fourth time this season and logged a comeback win over UTSA’s Tiago Torress, dropping a close first set (5-7) by rallying for a 6-4 win in the second set and winning the match with a 10-7 outing in the match tiebreak.
He then added a straight-sets win in the No. 2 singles position at home against New Mexico’s Aram Noorzian, 6-4, 6-2. In doubles, Sancho Arbizu captured the Pioneers’ only win of the weekend with teammate Raffaello Papajcik in the No. 3 slot, winning 6-4.
Martinez de Velasco went undefeated in singles against two nationally ranked teams on the road and didn’t drop a set in either match. The freshman put Denver on the board with a straight-sets win in No. 6 singles, 7-6, 6-2, winning the tiebreak in a 7-0 dominant fashion against No. 59-ranked Baylor.
Against No. 62-ranked SMU, the Madrid, Spain native followed that win by losing just two games in her singles match for a 6-1, 6-1 victory.
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Men’s Peak Performer of the Week
Daniel Sancho Arbizu, Denver
So. | Zaragoza, Spain
- Earned the second career peak performer award of his career
- Went undefeated in singles and doubles during a two-match week, including at No. 1 singles against No. 37-ranked UTSA
- Logged a comeback win over UTSA’s Tiago Torress, dropping a close first set, 5-7, by rallying for a 6-4 win in the second set and getting the match with a 10-7 performance in the match tiebreak
- Added straight sets win at the No. 2 spot against New Mexico’s Aram Noorzian, 6-4, 6-2
Also nominated: Nam Pham (Illinois State), Davis Lawley (Omaha).
Women’s Peak Performer of the Week
Claudia Martinez de Velasco, Denver
Fr. | Madrid, Spain
- Collected her second peak performer honor of the season
- Went undefeated in singles against two nationally-ranked teams and didn’t drop a set in either match
- Took the tiebreak against No. 59-ranked Paula Baranano of Baylor, 7-0, and broke the fifth game of the second set, winning the next three games to take it all, 6-2
- Won in dominant fashion, 6-1, 6-1, at the No. 6 spot against SMU
Also nominated: Marthe Degeorges (St. Thomas), Andrea Jansson (North Dakota), Joanna Cardona (Kansas City).
2023 Peak Performers of the Week
January 17
M: Gerhard Sullwald, North Dakota
W: Jule Schulte, North Dakota
January 24
M: Cian McDonnell, North Dakota
W: Andrea Burguete Beltran, Denver
January 31
M: Jeremy Schifris, Drake
W: Taylor Melville, Denver
February 7
M: Markus Bolin, Drake
W: Britt Pursell, Denver
February 14
M: Daniel Sancho Arbizu, Denver
W: Taylor Melville, Denver
February 21
M: Nicolas Herrero Cuesta, Denver
W: Claudia Martinez de Velasco, Denver
February 28
M: Conner Olsen, Drake
W: Louise Wikander, Denver
March 7
M: Daniel Sancho Arbizu, Denver
W: Britt Pursell, Denver
March 14
M: Gerhard Sullwald, North Dakota
W: Britt Pursell, Denver
March 21
M: Nam Pham, Illinois State
W: Luna Morini, Oral Roberts
March 28
M: Daniel Sancho Arbizu, Denver
W: Claudia Martinez de Velasco, Denver
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