Cougars Ready to Defend Title: Pannu is Senior National Player of the Year
By CSU Sports Information
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - History was made Monday night as Columbus State University men's tennis player KP Pannu became the first male player in CSU history to be named the national ITA Senior Player of the Year. The award was given out at the annual awards banquet on the eve of the NCAA Championships.
"This is a tremendous honor for KP," stated head coach Evan Isaacs. "He has worked so hard since he has arrived to Columbus and continues to improve each and every day. I couldn't be happier for this young man."
After leading Columbus State to the national championship a year ago, Pannu is again playing at the top spot for the Cougars in singles action. Through the Southeast Regional, Pannu is the top-ranked player in the country sporting a 23-1 record. The senior has won 20 straight matches and hasn't lost a set since March 24.
In his career, Pannu is one win shy from reaching 80 singles victories.
Pannu has mainly played at second doubles this season amassing an overall record of 20-5, including having won six of the last seven with his new partnerTommaso Schold.
The native of Wellington, New Zealand took home PBC Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive season and was an All-Conference selection for the fourth consecutive year. He is a three-time singles All-American as well as a two-time doubles selection.
The top-ranked, and defending National Champion Cougars will continue play in the NCAA Tournament Tuesday taking on 39th-ranked Mercyhurst in the Round of 16. The match will begin at 4 p.m.