Thomas-Smith Earns 1st Career ASUN Player of the Week Honor
3/24/2021 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Liberty's Deji Thomas-Smith has earned his first career ASUN Men's Tennis Player of the Week honor, it was announced by the league office on Wednesday afternoon.
Thomas-Smith's distinction gives the Flames three straight player of the week honors. Liberty (11-5, 2-0 ASUN) has dominated the conference awards this season, claiming eight of the 10 ASUN Player of the Week recognitions.
"This is great to see Deji rewarded for his passion and hard work," said Liberty Men's Tennis Head Coach Derek Schwandt. "He is a great teammate and fighter."
Thomas-Smith, a second-year player from London, United Kingdom, won two singles matches and a doubles match without a loss In Liberty's first two ASUN matches of the season. The Flames defeated North Alabama 7-0 last Friday and topped Lipscomb 5-2 on Sunday.
Thomas-Smith clinched the match for the Flames at North Alabama with a 6-2, 6-2 result over the Lions' Kyle Johnson in the No. 2 singles match.
On Sunday at Lipscomb, he teamed up with Christiaan Worst for a 6-3 victory at No. 1 doubles versus the Bisons' Jorge Ortegon and Pedro Uribe. Thomas-Smith competed against Maksim Bogdanovich in the No. 3 singles contest, winning 6-2, 7-6 (3) to put Liberty ahead 3-0 at the time.
Thomas-Smith is 8-5 in spring singles matches while playing in five of six spots in the lineup (No. 2-6). In doubles, he holds a 5-3 record with Worst.
Thomas-Smith and the Flames are back in action at home for the first time since March 6 when they host the UNCW Seahawks (7-2), Friday at noon at the Liberty Tennis Complex.
2021 ASUN Men's Tennis Player of the Week Honorees
Jan. 20 – Rafael Marques Da Silva, Liberty
Jan. 27 – Nicaise Muamba, Liberty
Feb. 3 – Josh Wilson, Liberty
Feb. 10 – Dominik Barton, North Florida
Feb. 17 – Nicaise Muamba, Liberty
Feb. 24 – Rafael Marques Da Silva, Liberty
March 3 – Alessandro Conca, FGCU
March 10 – Nicaise Muamba, Liberty
March 17 – Rafael Marques Da Silva, Liberty
March 24 – Deji Thomas-Smith, Liberty
Congrats to Deji Thomas-Smith on being selected as the @ASUNTennis Player of the Week for the first time in his career!??
— Liberty Men's Tennis (@LibertyMTennis) March 24, 2021
??: https://t.co/CFtCjzzqRN#WeBeforeMe #RiseWithUs #ASUNTennis pic.twitter.com/dxRFo6v6NO
