University of Minnesota Athletics
Wernet Named MVP, Ruddock Most Improved
5/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Six awards were presented to members of the team and athletic staff by head coach Geoff Young and associate head coach Urban Ljubic.
Senior Tobias Wernet received the Phil Brain Memorial award as the team's most valuable player and was also honored with the Team Spirit award. Wernet was also recognized with the Phil Brain Memorial award after his freshman season in 2008 and also received the Team Spirit award in 2008 and 2009.
The Phil Brain Memorial award was first handed out in 1970 and Wernet is the ninth Gopher to receive the honor in two separate seasons. He is only the second player to win the award in non back-to-back years, joining Brian Uihlein who was named team MVP in 1989 and 1992. Wernet posted a team-best 18-5 record in the fall and was 24-10 overall.
Wernet is only the second player to receive the Team Spirit award in three separate seasons, joining Rick Naumoff who won it in 1990, 1991 and 1992.
Sophomore Brendan Ruddock received the Jerry Noyce Most Improved Player award for the second straight year. Ruddock received the Team Spirit award, the Jerry Noyce Most Improved Player award and was named the Unsung Player of the Year last season. Ruddock, who was 15-13 last year, compiled a 20-12 record in singles play this season.
Sophomore Rok Bonin was honored with the Len Bailey award, which is presented to the player who shows the most grit and determination. Bonin, who played every match this season at either first or second singles, was 12-12 in the spring season and 23-14 overall. Bonin, who was 10-0 in Big Ten doubles play with partners Julian Dehn and Tobias Wernet, was 7-3 in matches that went three sets this year.
Junior Phillip Arndt received the Bob McNamara Unsung Player of the Year award. Arndt was 21-11 on the year and 11-5 at fourth singles. He was 7-0 in matches that went a full three sets and played all 22 of his doubles matches at the fist slot, registering a 14-8 record.
Bob Rohde, who is the team's strength and conditioning coach, was honored with the Louis Ratner Memorial Award. Rohde is the first non-player to receive the award since it was given out starting in 1974.
The Gophers finished the season with a 19-6 record and are ranked No. 19 in the country. The team advanced to the Big Ten tournament final for the first time since 2003. Minnesota's season ended with a 4-3 setback to No. 38 Fresno State in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Players Mentioned
