University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Peniston, Doerr earn ITA Regional awards
May 21, 2018 | Men's Tennis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After leading the Memphis men's tennis team to one of its best seasons in program history, senior Ryan Peniston and associate head coach Chris Doerr earned Intercollegiate Tennis Association regional year-end awards, the organization announced Monday.
Peniston earned the Ohio Valley Region's Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, while Doerr was named the region's tasc Performance ITA Assistant Coach of the Year.
Peniston becomes the second Tiger to earn the regional Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award and first since 2004 (Lee Taylor Walker, Southeast Region). Also involved in numerous community events, the three-time all-conference honoree will become the first Tiger since 1976 to compete in the NCAA Singles Championship, with the first round of the individual tournament set to begin Wednesday.
"I think the Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award is one of the top awards the ITA has because it encompasses what the student-athletes do on the court, in the classroom and in the community," head coach Paul Goebel said. "The criteria involves their grades, community service projects and events and then it looks at their on-court achievements. Ryan has done very well in all three of those areas and is very deserving of this award."
Earning the region's Assistant Coach of the Year honor for the second time in his young career, Doerr has been a pivotal piece in the Tigers' success since arriving on campus in the fall of 2012. Doerr helped lead Memphis to NCAA postseason appearances in five of the last six seasons and was named the Ohio Valley Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2015. Elevated to associate head coach in 2016, Doerr has also assisted in putting together rosters that include 19 student-athletes named to all-conference teams, 19 conference Player of the Week accolades and the 2015 AAC Freshman of the Year in Andrew Watson.
"Chris is one of the best assistant coaches in the country. This is his second time winning this award in the past four years, which shows he has the respect of all the other programs in our region," Goebel said. "He has developed into not only being a great recruiter, but also being a great on-court coach. All of our team has the upmost respect for him, and it's great we have someone who can provide such a positive impact in their lives."
Peniston earned the Ohio Valley Region's Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, while Doerr was named the region's tasc Performance ITA Assistant Coach of the Year.
Peniston becomes the second Tiger to earn the regional Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award and first since 2004 (Lee Taylor Walker, Southeast Region). Also involved in numerous community events, the three-time all-conference honoree will become the first Tiger since 1976 to compete in the NCAA Singles Championship, with the first round of the individual tournament set to begin Wednesday.
"I think the Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award is one of the top awards the ITA has because it encompasses what the student-athletes do on the court, in the classroom and in the community," head coach Paul Goebel said. "The criteria involves their grades, community service projects and events and then it looks at their on-court achievements. Ryan has done very well in all three of those areas and is very deserving of this award."
Earning the region's Assistant Coach of the Year honor for the second time in his young career, Doerr has been a pivotal piece in the Tigers' success since arriving on campus in the fall of 2012. Doerr helped lead Memphis to NCAA postseason appearances in five of the last six seasons and was named the Ohio Valley Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2015. Elevated to associate head coach in 2016, Doerr has also assisted in putting together rosters that include 19 student-athletes named to all-conference teams, 19 conference Player of the Week accolades and the 2015 AAC Freshman of the Year in Andrew Watson.
"Chris is one of the best assistant coaches in the country. This is his second time winning this award in the past four years, which shows he has the respect of all the other programs in our region," Goebel said. "He has developed into not only being a great recruiter, but also being a great on-court coach. All of our team has the upmost respect for him, and it's great we have someone who can provide such a positive impact in their lives."
Players Mentioned
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