The 2020 Division II and Division III National Team Indoor Sportsmanship Awards were announced on Thursday. The awards were voted on by all head coaches and the officials at their respective tournaments.
Division II Men Team Sportsmanship Award | Hawaii Pacific University
The Hawaii Pacific men’s team was awarded the first Division II Men Team Sportsmanship Award for their terrific demeanor on and off the court.
In addition to their excellent sportsmanship, the Sharks made a deep run in the inaugural DII Men’s Indoor Championship. The Sharks flew through the quarterfinals by defeating No. 14 Flagler 4-1. After falling to eventual Indoor Champion Columbus State, the Sharks bounced back to take a tightly contested 4-3 match over No. 3 West Florida.
2020 is the first year for the DII Team Sportsmanship Award. The award is presented annually to the team that displays exceptional sportsmanship, character and ethical conduct during the national championship event.
Division II Women Team Sportsmanship Award | Hawaii Pacific University
Hawaii Pacific showed phenomenal fight and sportsmanship in the inaugural DII Women’s National Team Indoor Championship. The Sharks were honored by the tournament coaches and officials for their composure and attitude throughout their extremely competitive matches.
The Sharks pulled off back-to-back thrilling comeback wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the championship. After No. 4 Indy scored three straight points, the Sharks roared back to a 4-3 win in the quarterfinals. In a back-and-forth semifinal match with No. 3 Columbus State, HPU’s Ballach saved a match point and pushed the match to a third set. Ballach sent her team to the finals with Hawaii Pacific’s men’s and women’s programs cheering her on.
2020 is the first year for the DII Women Team Sportsmanship Award. The award is presented annually to the team that displays exceptional sportsmanship, character and ethical conduct during the national championship event.
Steve Wilkinson Team Sportsmanship Award | Gustavus Adolphus College
The Gustavus Adolphus Men once again were named the Steve Wilkinson Team Sportsmanship Award winners for their outstanding ethics and attitude during the 20th ITA DIII National Men’s Team Indoors. The Golden Gusties are the only men’s team to win the Steve Wilkinson Award twice.
The Steve Wilkinson Team Sportsmanship Award was introduced in 2015 and is dedicated to the memory of long-time Golden Gusties head coach and founder of Tennis & Life Camps, Steve Wilkinson.
The Golden Gusties faced a tough matchup in the quarterfinals. The dropped the match to eventual Indoor Champions Emory University. Gustavus persevered through the fierce competition to notch a thrilling 5-4 win against No. 11 Kenyon College.
The award is presented to the team that has displayed exceptional sportsmanship, character and ethical conduct in the true spirit of competition and college tennis during the ITA Division III National Men’s Team Indoor Championship each year
Division III Women Team Sportsmanship Award | Centre College
DIII Women’s Team Indoors host Centre College was awarded the 6th annual Team Sportsmanship Award. This is the first time the Colonels have been awarded this honor.
The Colonels fell early in the tournament to the eventual 2020 Indoor Champions, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, but showed their resiliency and team spirit by competing hard throughout the rest of the tournament. Centre dropped an extremely close 5-4 match to No. 10 Brandeis on the final day.
2020 is the sixth year for the DIII Team Sportsmanship Award. The award is presented annually to the team that displays exceptional sportsmanship, character and ethical conduct during the national championship event.
