FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gary Holden, Ferrum
July 1, 2011


W&L's White Named Player of the Year in Men's Tennis

FERRUM, VA – Washington and Lee University sophomore Hayden White has been named Player of the Year, headlining the 2011 VaSID College Division Men's Tennis All-State Team.  The University of Mary Washington's Todd Helbling and Alex Blahkin have been named Coach of the Year and Rookie of the Year, respectively.

White advanced to the round of 16 at the 2011 NCAA Division III Singles Tournament this year, earning All-America honors for the second straight year in singles.  White closed out the season with a 19-5 singles record, and was 20-4 in doubles.

Blahkin went 16-17 overall in singles this season and 16-10 in doubles.  He earned All-Conference first team honors in singles and doubles from the Capital Athletic Conference.

Helbling led Mary Washington to a 17-11 overall record this season, winning Capital Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles.  The Eagles advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

Joining White on the All-State first team were teammates Michael Freeman and Jeremy Becht from W&L, Eric Shulman of Christopher Newport University, Rich Pugh of Hampden-Sydney College and Kaz Murata of Mary Washington.

Second team selections include Christopher Newport's Gian Heyer, Mary Washington's Sam Wichlin, Hampden-Sydney's Shad Harrell, Bridgewater College's Peter Hawkins, Washington and Lee's Will Hall, Emory & Henry College's Matt Nelson, Roanoke College's John Roy and Averett University's Xavier Ruiz.