PHILADELPHIA – Swarthmore College's
Michael Melnikov,
Andres Fente, and
Utham Koduri were all named to the PhillySIDA Academic All-Area Men's Tennis Team, the organization announced on Monday. In addition, Melnikov was selected the Performer of the Year for the second season in a row.
Melnikov and Koduri received Academic All-Area honors for the second straight year while Fente was a first-time selection. The Academic All-Area Team is voted on by the athletic communications offices from 30 institutions in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Melnikov was the Centennial Conference Player of the Year for the third straight season. He also was a first-team all-conference selection in singles for the third year in a row. A qualifier in both the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, Melnikov teamed with Koduri to earn All-America honors for the third straight season in reaching the NCAA semifinal round for the second time in three years. The duo has won 44 matches together, a program record. In singles, Melnikov reached the NCAA Round of 16 to earn All-America recognition. He went 24-6 in singles (15-3 at No. 1) and 23-6 in doubles, with the 23 wins matching a program mark.
Fente was named All-Centennial First Team Doubles for the second straight year. He finished with a 14-4 doubles record, going a perfect 5-0 in conference. He competed in six singles matches and went 5-1, 4-0 in conference play.
Koduri's All-America doubles honor alongside Melnikov was the third of his career. He went 16-6 on the year and also posted a victory in his lone singles match.
The group helped Swarthmore to a 16-7 record this season. The Garnet ranked as high as ninth nationally, won the Centennial for the third straight season with a 7-0 record, and advanced to the NCAA's third round before falling to eventual national champion Denison.
Read more: PhillySIDA Academic All-Area Men's Tennis Team
