University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Sidor, Bierbaum Earn Big South Player of the Week Honors
01.29.2020 | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
CHARLOTTE – UNC Asheville swept the Big South Conference's Tennis Player of the Week Awards, as senior Emily Sidor earned the award on the women's side and sophomore Leo Bierbaum received it on the men's side, the league announced Wednesday.
Sidor had a strong opening weekend as the Bulldogs began their season with a 2-0 record. Her victory at No. 3 singles, Sunday, was a critical result in helping the Bulldogs defeat UNC Greensboro for the first time in head coach Lise Gregory's tenure. She won two tightly-contested sets, 6-4, 7-5, against the Spartans' Hanna Giddings to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead in the match they would eventually win, 4-3.
The Rockledge, Fla. native opened the season with 6-3, 6-4 victory at No. 3 singles against Tusculum's Africa Mota, Friday afternoon.
She teamed up with Lauren Watson-Steele at No. 3 doubles over the weekend, picking up a pair of victories that helped the Bulldogs open each of their two matches with the doubles point. The duo had a close 7-5 victory in Friday's opener, and came back two days later with a resounding 6-1 win against UNC Greensboro, Sunday.
It is the first Player of the Week Award for Sidor in her career and first weekly conference award since she earned two Freshman of the Week nods in 2017. She is Asheville's first Player of the Week since Lize Alet Morkel earned the recognition last season, March 20, 2019.
Bierbaum also opened his season with a pair of singles victories, securing a dominating 6-2, 6-0 victory against Sebastian Bromley of North Carolina Central at No. 4 singles, Saturday. He joined up with Harry Thursfield at No. 1 doubles for a 6-4 victory against the Eagles, helping the Bulldogs secure the doubles point and a 5-2 victory in their season opener.
The Nurnberg, Germany native followed that up with another singles victory, taking down East Carolina's Simon Labbe in two hard-fought sets, 7-5, 7-5, at the No. 3 spot. He again partnered with Thursfield in doubles play, but the duo's match went undecided after ECU secured the doubles point, though Bierbaum and Thursfield were locked in a close one, trailing 5-4.
It also the first Player of the Week Award for Bierbaum and first weekly award since being named Freshman of the Week twice last season. He is the Bulldogs' first Player of the Week since Henry Patten last season, March 27, 2019.
Sidor had a strong opening weekend as the Bulldogs began their season with a 2-0 record. Her victory at No. 3 singles, Sunday, was a critical result in helping the Bulldogs defeat UNC Greensboro for the first time in head coach Lise Gregory's tenure. She won two tightly-contested sets, 6-4, 7-5, against the Spartans' Hanna Giddings to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead in the match they would eventually win, 4-3.
The Rockledge, Fla. native opened the season with 6-3, 6-4 victory at No. 3 singles against Tusculum's Africa Mota, Friday afternoon.
She teamed up with Lauren Watson-Steele at No. 3 doubles over the weekend, picking up a pair of victories that helped the Bulldogs open each of their two matches with the doubles point. The duo had a close 7-5 victory in Friday's opener, and came back two days later with a resounding 6-1 win against UNC Greensboro, Sunday.
It is the first Player of the Week Award for Sidor in her career and first weekly conference award since she earned two Freshman of the Week nods in 2017. She is Asheville's first Player of the Week since Lize Alet Morkel earned the recognition last season, March 20, 2019.
The Nurnberg, Germany native followed that up with another singles victory, taking down East Carolina's Simon Labbe in two hard-fought sets, 7-5, 7-5, at the No. 3 spot. He again partnered with Thursfield in doubles play, but the duo's match went undecided after ECU secured the doubles point, though Bierbaum and Thursfield were locked in a close one, trailing 5-4.
It also the first Player of the Week Award for Bierbaum and first weekly award since being named Freshman of the Week twice last season. He is the Bulldogs' first Player of the Week since Henry Patten last season, March 27, 2019.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Thursday, June 18
Wednesday, March 18
Wednesday, March 11
Friday, February 06