Thursday, April 23, 2009

Tommy Tu and Asaf Cohen Earn WCC Recognition




Tu, Cohen Earn WCC Recognition
Tu named First Team All-WCC for singles, Tu and Cohen named Second Team for doubles



April 23, 2009


(San Bruno, Calif.) - Tommy Tu, of the USF men's tennis team, was named to the singles first team All-West Coast Conference team Thursday, as announced by the conference office. Also earning honors was the Dons' double duo of Tu and Asaf Cohen, who were awarded second team All-WCC doubles accolades.

The first team selection marks the first time the native of Binh Duong, Vietnam has been awarded first team accolades, but the third time in his career he has been named All-Conference. Tu was a second team selection in both 2008 and 2007. This spring, the senior posted a 13-8 record playing No. 1 singles for the Green and Gold. Thanks to his outstanding efforts, Tu also became the second Don to be ranked in the national singles ranking. He earned a season-high ranking of 95th and finished the season ranked 103rd.

The doubles duo of Tu and Cohen marks the second time each Don has earned conference recognition for their teamed efforts. Last season, Tu was a second team doubles All-WCC selection with current teammate Rainer Nachbauer, while Cohen also earned second team honors with former Don Falko Huttenberger. This spring, Tu and Cohen reached a season high national rank of 87th, as they posted an 8-5 record at No. 1.

The two selections wraps-up a season for the Dons in which they opened the season ranked for the first time, and tied a program-best finish, placing third at the conference championships. At the WCC Championships, USF used an outstanding comeback against Saint Mary's in the opening round, winning 4-3, to earn a spot in the semifinals against top-seeded Pepperdine. After fighting hard, but dropping a 4-0 decision to the Waves, San Francisco closed out the season against the same team it opened the season against - Portland. Looking to seek revenge for a loss in the opening match of the spring, the Dons relied on a team effort to earn third place overall. Following a memorable doubles set from Tu and Mitch Del Rosario, Einar Hart, Tu and Jacob Hartwig lifted the Dons to a victory thanks to their strong showings in singles play.
"Our third place finish is huge for our program," said head coach Peter Bartlett. "There is a large difference between the Pepperdine, San Diego and USF programs, along the lines of budget, funding and staffing, that this is a large achievement for us. All in all, our team was the definition of team with high engery, support and belief in themselves and their fellow Dons."

San Francisco finished the spring season with a 9-12 record, including going a notable 6-3 against WCC foes.

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