Motasem ALhouni Named ITA’s Most Improved Player

SKILLMAN, N.J. – Gustavus Adolphus men’s tennis player Motasem ALhouni (Sr., Tripoli, Libya) has been named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s (ITA) Most Improved Player-of-the-Year, in its Division III National Awards that were announced May 20. More than 300 coaches participated in the award selection process, serving on regional and/or national selection committees.

The award caps a decorated final year for ALhouni, who began his season by winning both the 2014 USTA/ITA Midwest Regional Singles and Doubles Championships to claim All-American honors. The Libyan native proceeded to go 21-12 in singles play, serving mainly as Gustavus’ No. 2 singles player, and 27-9 in doubles play, where he and partner Andres Saenz (So., Cancun, Mexico) held down the No. 1 position. ALhouni and Saenz just completed their seasons this past weekend, where they advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships in Mason, Ohio before being eliminated by Robert Kjellberg and Sebastian Sikh of North Carolina Wesleyan College by a final score of 6-2, 6-4.

ALhouni had not achieved a regional ranking before this season, but was ranked as high as No. 2 in the ITA Central Region singles rankings, and is currently ranked No. 1 in the region in doubles with Saenz. ALhouni also earned a spot on both the singles and doubles All-Conference teams this season, with the singles honor being the first of his career.

“We are honored and proud that the ITA has selected Mota as the most improved player in the nation,” said head coach Tommy Valentini. “It is a well-deserved honor and credit goes to both he and his teammates for the dedication and hard work that led to this honor.”