NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans men's doubles team of
Ricardo Campos and
Hossam Meligy received Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American honors late Thursday afternoon.
The All-American recognition is the first for any UNO singles' or doubles' player since current head coach
Burzis Kanga earned the accolade during the 1982-83 season, capping an 81-9 collegiate career.
Campos and Meligy earned the nod from the ITA by finishing in the top 10 of the final rankings released by the governing body. The duo was ranked No. 4 in the nation on Thursday, moving up four spots from their No. 8 placement in the May 2
nd release.
“I think it is a great day for UNO tennis,” said Kanga. “Their ranking and their All-American status will do nothing but help them gain confidence when we compete at a higher level next year.”
“Their character is unparalleled; they are humble and yet have displayed such a high level of competitive spirit.”
Campos and Meligy added to their national ranking and All-American status by also topping the South Region rankings. The pair posted an unblemished 10-0 mark against in-region opponent including a 9-7 win over the then-No. 2 nationally ranked duo of Bruno Savi and Kevin Ducros of West Florida on Apr. 14.
On the season, Campos and Meligy went 14-3 for the most wins by a UNO doubles' team since Victor Loven and Mike Chkroun claimed 18 of 22 matches during the course of the 2002-03 season.
The honors may not be done for Campos and Meligy. Earlier this month, both players were amongst the nominees submitted by UNO for all-Louisiana team recognition. Last year, Meligy was named an All-Louisiana second team selection in addition to earning 'Freshman of Year'.
Off the court, Campos and Meligy were part of an effort by the Privateer men's tennis team that improved the squad's cumulative grade-point average to 3.432. The team's GPA more than satisfies the ITA All-Academic Team requirement with the pair likely to also earn individual academic recognition.
“Both these players have proved themselves repeatedly in the classroom,” said Kanga. “Ricardo finished with a 4.0 grade-point average this year and Hossam posted two semesters over a 3.75.”
“These are players who are driven and highly motivated from a standpoint that they would like to attain excellence in everything they do.”
UNO counted in the NCAA Division II rankings of the ITA this past season due to the governing body's rules pertaining to the institution's original plans to transition to the classification. The Privateer athletic department will resume competition this fall as an NCAA Division I Independent.
