Marques Da Silva Tabbed CUSA Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week
3/20/2024 1:02:00 PM | Men's Tennis
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Liberty's Rafael Marques Da Silva has been selected as the Conference USA Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week, the conference announced Wednesday. The senior guided the No. 49 Flames to a 5-2 take down of No. 42 Old Dominion with a 2-0 performance (1-0 singles, 1-0 doubles).
The award is Liberty's third of the spring with Luis Felipe Miguel (Jan. 31) and Deji Thomas-Smith (Feb. 21) previously receiving the same honor. The award is the Flames' fourth of the year overall, including Marques Da Silva's doubles partner, Thando Longwe-Smit, receiving the CUSA Men's Tennis Athlete of the Month on Oct. 10 during the fall season.
The recognition is the senior's sixth of his career and first CUSA award, previously receiving five Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honors.
The Sao Paulo, Brazil native held a No. 111 ITA national ranking last week. Taking on No. 42 Old Dominion, the Flames dropped the doubles point despite a 6-4 triumph from Marques Da Silva and Longwe-Smit in the No. 1 doubles match. In singles, No. 111 Marques Da Silva was tasked with facing No. 83 Connor Henry Van Schalkwyk in the No. 1 match. The senior edged his opponent in a tight first set, taking a tiebreaker 7-3. Marques Da Silva put away Van Schalkwyk with a 6-4 second set for a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory to give the Flames their third point of the match.
Marques Da Silva and the Flames (11-5) prepare for two home matches this week, facing Richmond (9-3) on Wednesday at 3 p.m. and taking on No. 68 William and Mary (9-7) at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Both matches will be held at the Liberty Tennis Complex.
The award is Liberty's third of the spring with Luis Felipe Miguel (Jan. 31) and Deji Thomas-Smith (Feb. 21) previously receiving the same honor. The award is the Flames' fourth of the year overall, including Marques Da Silva's doubles partner, Thando Longwe-Smit, receiving the CUSA Men's Tennis Athlete of the Month on Oct. 10 during the fall season.
The recognition is the senior's sixth of his career and first CUSA award, previously receiving five Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honors.
The Sao Paulo, Brazil native held a No. 111 ITA national ranking last week. Taking on No. 42 Old Dominion, the Flames dropped the doubles point despite a 6-4 triumph from Marques Da Silva and Longwe-Smit in the No. 1 doubles match. In singles, No. 111 Marques Da Silva was tasked with facing No. 83 Connor Henry Van Schalkwyk in the No. 1 match. The senior edged his opponent in a tight first set, taking a tiebreaker 7-3. Marques Da Silva put away Van Schalkwyk with a 6-4 second set for a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory to give the Flames their third point of the match.
Marques Da Silva and the Flames (11-5) prepare for two home matches this week, facing Richmond (9-3) on Wednesday at 3 p.m. and taking on No. 68 William and Mary (9-7) at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Both matches will be held at the Liberty Tennis Complex.
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