MIAC Release

ST. PAUL—The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) announced the 2013 MIAC Men's Tennis Awards Tuesday, which included the All-Conference and All-MIAC Sportsmanship Teams, and the top individual player and coach awards were claimed by Bethel University and Saint Mary's University.

Bethel University senior Tucker Morris (Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) was presented the 2013 Arthur Ashe Award—the first in Bethel history. The award annually recognizes a senior tennis student-athlete with outstanding sportsmanship and exemplary athletic, academic and humanitarian accomplishments.
 
“I am very proud of Tucker and what he has accomplished this year and throughout his career,” said head men's and women's tennis coach Drew Fernelius. “Tucker is well deserving of the highest conference award given and he is an excellent representation of what it stands for.”

Though Morris was selected for his many achievements beyond the court, he was extremely impressive for the Royals as a senior, adding both singles and doubles All-Conference honors to his Arthur Ashe Award. Morris had an outstanding season to lead the Royals in 2013. He was 10-5 overall in singles play, including a 5-3 conference record, with all of his matches coming in the top spot in the Bethel singles lineup. He also teamed up to go 10-3 overall (5-3 MIAC) with teammate Reggie Ronning in Bethel's No. 1 doubles slot as well.

Ronning was exceptional throughout the season as well—finishing with a 9-6 overall record in singles play, including a 7-2 mark in league competition. The Alexandria, Minn., native played all matches, except one, at No. 2 singles. In addition to Morris, Ronning was MIAC All-Conference in singles and doubles play.

As part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC announced the seventh annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for men's tennis. Members of the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team are selected by their coaches and teammates as individuals who demonstrate ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition. Kirby Ronning was Bethel's selection to the prestigious team.