University of Richmond Athletics
Pritchard Tabbed A-10 Rookie of the Week
01/30/2024 | Men's Tennis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a 3-0 undefeated opening weekend for the Spiders, the University of Richmond Men's Tennis team has the honor of highlighting freshman Paxton Pritchard as this week's Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week, announced by the league office on Tuesday.
Pritchard, an Asheville, N.C. native, settled into the Spider lineup smoothly, helping Richmond pick up a 4-3 win over Army on Jan. 27 and two 4-0 wins over Rider and Sacred Heart in West Point, N.Y. on Jan. 28.
At singles court No. 2, the freshman defeated Jake Huarte (ARMY), 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, before downing Matthew Griscti (RU), 6-3, 6-3. Against Matyas Vencl (SHU), Pritchard led 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 before the match was left unfinished.
In doubles action, Pritchard alongside fellow Spider Daniel Kliebhan picked up a win over Bodavula/Haikal (ARMY), 6-2 on court one to help solidify the doubles point for Richmond against Army. The duo led both Dillon/Flotta (RU) and Apostolou/Laennec-Baffrey (SHU), 5-4, before the respective matches were left unfinished. Pritchard remains undefeated in both singles (2-0) and doubles (1-0) this season.
"I'm so proud of Paxton's accomplishment from this past weekend," said Head Coach Houston Barrick. "As a freshman, I'm sure there were lots of nerves, but he handled himself really well in some difficult situations. Paxton is a very fiery player and that energy is really important for our team's success. I thought it was a perfect opening weekend for us. It's always a challenge to play on the road, and Army was a very difficult environment for the guys. But I thought we handled ourselves very well, and played our best tennis when it was needed most."
The Spiders open Atlantic 10 Conference play on Feb. 7 at VCU at 3 p.m. before traveling to Dayton, Ohio for a matchup against Marquette and Dayton on Feb. 10 and 11.
Pritchard, an Asheville, N.C. native, settled into the Spider lineup smoothly, helping Richmond pick up a 4-3 win over Army on Jan. 27 and two 4-0 wins over Rider and Sacred Heart in West Point, N.Y. on Jan. 28.
At singles court No. 2, the freshman defeated Jake Huarte (ARMY), 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, before downing Matthew Griscti (RU), 6-3, 6-3. Against Matyas Vencl (SHU), Pritchard led 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 before the match was left unfinished.
In doubles action, Pritchard alongside fellow Spider Daniel Kliebhan picked up a win over Bodavula/Haikal (ARMY), 6-2 on court one to help solidify the doubles point for Richmond against Army. The duo led both Dillon/Flotta (RU) and Apostolou/Laennec-Baffrey (SHU), 5-4, before the respective matches were left unfinished. Pritchard remains undefeated in both singles (2-0) and doubles (1-0) this season.
"I'm so proud of Paxton's accomplishment from this past weekend," said Head Coach Houston Barrick. "As a freshman, I'm sure there were lots of nerves, but he handled himself really well in some difficult situations. Paxton is a very fiery player and that energy is really important for our team's success. I thought it was a perfect opening weekend for us. It's always a challenge to play on the road, and Army was a very difficult environment for the guys. But I thought we handled ourselves very well, and played our best tennis when it was needed most."
The Spiders open Atlantic 10 Conference play on Feb. 7 at VCU at 3 p.m. before traveling to Dayton, Ohio for a matchup against Marquette and Dayton on Feb. 10 and 11.
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