Three Hogs to graduate
FAYETTEVILLE- The University of Arkansas men’s tennis team had three players graduate in Saturday’s ceremonies. In 23 years at Arkansas, head coach Robert Cox has had held a perfect record of student-athletes graduating under his guidance.
“These three guys exemplify what it means to be a student-athlete, “ Cox said. “ I am very proud of their hard work. They saw it to the end and reached their goals. They have contributed much to our Razorback program and I am very pleased the progression they have made and ability to concluded their academic careers.”
Captain Taylor King from Rogers, Ark. graduated with a degree in communication from Fulbright College of Arts & Science with an overall GPA of 3.5. At the senior banquet, King received the Brandon Burlsworth Scholar-Athlete Award for his good moral character, success in the classroom and commitment to the improvement of the local community. He joined the Razorbacks in 2006 and started the season with six consecutive wins. He advanced to the semifinals of the South Carolina Invitational with former Razorback Blake Strode. He posted wins over Auburn, South Carolina and Oklahoma and part of an NCAA tournament team. After sitting out an entire season, he came back stronger and in his junior season posted wins at the Navy Invitational, ITA Central Regional Qualifier and SEC Championship. Strong in doubles, he earned a career high ranking of the 57th in the nation with partner Bradwin Williams. An accomplished student, he has earned multiple academic honors and has been named Academic All-SEC and a two-time SEC Community Service Team Member.
Dmitry Lebedev, from Moscow, Russia, graduated from the Sam Walton College of Business with a degree in economics. While at Arkanas, Lebedev has collected over 60 singles victories and has six ranked wins over ranked opponents and six doubles opponents. He has been a quarterfinalist at the South Carolina Invitational and a semifinalist at the ITA Central Regional Doubles Competition. In singles, he won four straight matches to advance to the round of 16 at the Central Regional Tournament and posted victories over opponents from Texas A&M, Washington and South Carolina. As a senior he played at the top of the lineup mostly at the No. 2 and No. 3 position. With partner Christopher Nott, the dou reached as high as No. 26 in the nation at the No. 1 position in doubles action.
The third senior to be recognized for his hard work on and off the court was Bradwin Williams from Johannesburg, South Africa. He graduated from the Fulbright College of Arts & Science with a degree in communications. He owns over 65 wins in his career at Arkansas. In his first season, he opened with four consecutive wins and had 17 for the season. He also advanced to the round of 16 at Regional Doubles Tournament. As a sophomore, he earned a spot in Arkansas’ singles lineup at the No. 6 position and boasted a five-match winning streak. He posted wins against Alabama, Kentucky and clinched the team’s win over Mississippi State. As a senior, he recorded 26 combined wins for the Hogs and been ranked among the top doubles teams in the nation with partner Taylor King. “All three seniors fulfilled their commitments to themselves, their families and to our program, “ Cox said. “ I am very pleased with what they have accomplished and expect great things from them. “
