IRVINE, Calif. --- UCI stormed through the All-Big West awardwinners posting seven Anteaters on the list including Big West Freshman and Player of the Year, Sebastian Heim.
The German became the first-ever Big West player to be named for both awards in the same season after winning 22 dual singles matches including 18 once taking over the No. 1 slot. It's the ninth player of the year honor for an Anteater, but only the second in the last 23 years as Heim joins Chris Kearney's honor in 2011.
Heim is actually the third Anteater to be named the top freshman in the last five years joining Jacob Jung in 2012 and Ryan Cheung in 2011. Overall, it's the fourth such award for the 'Eaters.
He also earned first team honors along with fellow German and newcomer Nico Mertens. It's the first pair of 'Eaters on the first team since 2012 with Sam Gould and Fabian Matthews. It's the first honor for each.
Also making his first appearance on the singles side was senior Shuhei Shibahara claiming All-Big West honorable mention status in singles after winning 16 dual singles matches between slot Nos. 2, 3 and 4. His other honor came as a freshman in doubles.
Even more love for first-timers saw Justin Agbayani and Jonathan Poon swing first team doubles status. The duo won eight dual matches including five at No. 1 doubles.
Joining them on the doubles side were Tyler Pham and Jonathan Hammel on the second team. Pham had previously taken home singles awards as a sophomore and freshman while Hammel has three doubles and one singles award to his name. The duo came together for a doubles award in 2014 making the second team.
The seven Anteaters are the most since the 2009 squad. UCI finished first in the Big West with a 4-1 record, 20-13 overall, and finished runner-up in the Big West final.
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