Fayetteville, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference has released its weekly awards for April 13th with four Battling Bishops earning honors in their respective sports. Senior Robert Kjellberg picked up his fourth straight Player of the Week award in men's tennis, while sophomore Natalia Lopez earned the same honor on the women's side. Additionally, freshmen Peyton Hyler of softball and Sebastian Sikh of men's tennis earned Rookie of the Week accolades.
Men's Tennis Player of the Week
Robert Kjellberg, N.C. Wesleyan -The senior from Vetlanda, Sweden earned a 3-0 record at #1 singles and a 4-0 mark at #1 doubles this week for the Bishops. In singles action, he earned wins over opposition from Huntingdon, LaGrange and William Peace. In doubles play, Kjellberg teamed with Sebastian Sikh to defeat opponents from Huntingdon, LaGrange, William Peace and nationally-ranked Christopher Newport.
Women's Tennis Player of the Week
Natalia Lopez, N.C. Wesleyan- The sophomore from Maracaibo, Venezuela earned a 3-0 record at both the #1 singles and doubles positions against USA South competition last week for the Bishops, who captured the program's first-ever out-right Conference Championship. In singles action, she earned wins over opposition from William Peace, Huntingdon and LaGrange. In doubles play, Lopez teamed with Maria Fernanda Orona to grab the three victories.
Softball Rookie of the Week
Peyton Hyler, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman infielder went a combined 8-for-18 (.444) with a .474 on-base percentage and a .556 slugging percentage in a 4-2 week for the Bishops versus USA South competition. The Burlington, North Carolina native tallied one RBI, two doubles and one walk over the six-game span. In a doubleheader splits with William Peace and Huntingdon, Hyler was a combined 4-for-12, while in Sunday's sweep of LaGrange, she was a combined 4-for-6. Her lone RBI tied the game with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning of game two, which the Bishops went on to win to secure a bid to the Conference Tournament.
Men's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Sebastian Sikh, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Eskilstuna, Sweden earned a 4-0 singles and doubles record this week for the Bishops. In singles action, Sikh earned three wins at the #2 position over opposition from Huntingdon, LaGrange and William Peace, which he coupled with a victory at the #1 spot over David Reed of nationally-ranked Christopher Newport. In doubles play, Sikh teamed with Robert Kjellberg at the #1 position to defeat opponents from Huntingdon, LaGrange, William Peace and Christopher Newport.
Congratulations to all four athletes on their stellar performances!