Blake Strode Named SEC Player of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas sophomore Blake Strode was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Week, it was announced Wednesday by the league office.

It is the first Player of the Week honor of Strode’s career. The St. Louis, Mo. native defeated 39th-ranked Ivan Bjelica of Mississippi St. on March 30, and Ole Miss’ 105th-ranked Eric Claesson April 2. Strode, ranked 77th in the nation in this week’s FILA/ITA rankings, sports a 23-10 overall record this season, and is 14-7 in dual matches, including a 4-4 SEC mark, all at No. 1 singles.

The two wins give Strode 50 for his young career. Strode was 27-7 in 2006, earning All-SEC accolades as a freshman.

Strode also teams with Colin Mascall toform one of the SEC’s top doubles tandems. The duo, ranked 49th in this week’s rankings, has been ranked as high as 15th this year, and is 18-7 overall, 14-5 in dual matches and 5-3 in SEC action.

Strode is the first Razorback to earn Player of the Week honors this season, and the first since Adrians Zguns was named Player of the Week once in 2006.

Download: SEC release.pdf