Flames Feature Four ITA Scholar-Athletes for 2023-24 Season
7/22/2024 1:25:00 PM | Men's Tennis
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty men's tennis squad featured four players in the 2024 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar-Athletes recipients.
The ITA Scholar-Athlete recipients include Ernst Gouws, Chase Robinson, Deji Thomas-Smith and Rodrigo Santiago Arraez.
Arraez, a freshman this past season, is receiving his first mention as an ITA Scholar Athlete. Gouws, Robinson and Thomas-Smith are all receiving their second ITA Scholar Athlete honor.
Robinson and Thomas-Smith were each selected to the CUSA All-Academic team for the 2023-24 season.
The ITA Scholar-Athlete distinction is given to student-athletes who are varsity letter winners, have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or above for the current school year and have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters.
The Flames have featured 30 ITA Scholar-Athletes during head coach Derek Schwandt's six years at Liberty.
Ernst Gouws | Redshirt Freshman | Stellenbosch, South Africa
Deji Thomas-Smith | Senior (Fifth Year) | London, United Kingdom
Chase Robinson | Redshirt Freshman | Spartanburg, S.C.
Rodrigo Santiago Arraez | Freshman | Toledo, Spain
The ITA Scholar-Athlete recipients include Ernst Gouws, Chase Robinson, Deji Thomas-Smith and Rodrigo Santiago Arraez.
Arraez, a freshman this past season, is receiving his first mention as an ITA Scholar Athlete. Gouws, Robinson and Thomas-Smith are all receiving their second ITA Scholar Athlete honor.
Robinson and Thomas-Smith were each selected to the CUSA All-Academic team for the 2023-24 season.
Put in the work both on and off the court ?? pic.twitter.com/y0mulQbsPf
— Liberty Men's Tennis (@LibertyMTennis) July 22, 2024
The ITA Scholar-Athlete distinction is given to student-athletes who are varsity letter winners, have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or above for the current school year and have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters.
The Flames have featured 30 ITA Scholar-Athletes during head coach Derek Schwandt's six years at Liberty.
Ernst Gouws | Redshirt Freshman | Stellenbosch, South Africa
- 2023-24 GPA: 3.58
- Major: Business Administration – Entrepreneurship
- Two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete (2023-24)
- CUSA Academic Honor Roll (2024)
- ASUN Academic Honor Roll (2023)
Deji Thomas-Smith | Senior (Fifth Year) | London, United Kingdom
- 2023-24 GPA: 3.72
- Major: Exercise Science – Strength and Conditioning
- Graduate: M.B.A.
- Two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete (2020, 24)
- Two-time CSC Academic All-District Men's Tennis Team (2023-24)
- CUSA All-Academic team (2024)
- CUSA Academic Honor Roll (2024)
- Four-time ASUN Academic Honor Roll (2020-23)
- Posted a 22-8 overall singles record, including an 18-5 spring mark
- Totaled 13 doubles wins on the year, with a 10-12 spring record
Chase Robinson | Redshirt Freshman | Spartanburg, S.C.
- 2023-24 GPA: 3.79
- Major: Business Administration
- Two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete (2023-24)
- CUSA All-Academic team (2024)
- CUSA Academic Honor Roll (2024)
- ASUN Academic Honor Roll (2023)
- Compiled a 20-5 overall singles record, with a 13-3 spring mark
- Totaled 10 doubles wins in the year, including a 5-6 spring record
Rodrigo Santiago Arraez | Freshman | Toledo, Spain
- 2023-24 GPA: 3.57
- Major: Sport Management
- First ITA Scholar-Athlete recognition
- CUSA Academic Honor Roll (2024)
- Posted a 12-5 singles spring record (did not play fall)
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
Wednesday, April 15
Thursday, April 09
Saturday, April 04
Saturday, January 24