May 6, 2009

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech freshman men's tennis player Raony Carvalho was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year Wednesday in a vote by the conference coaches.

Carvalho is the first Red Raider in school history to earn the accolade. He was also named to the All-Big 12 singles and doubles teams after going 13-9 in singles at the top position and 13-8 in doubles with teammate Christian Rojmar.

Rojmar was selected to the doubles team for the third-consecutive season as the senior previously earned the honor with former Tech standout Bojan Szumanski.

Carvalho will compete in the singles portions of the NCAA Championships, held May 14-25, at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center in College Station, Texas, while he and Rojmar will be among the 32 doubles duo vying for a national title.

"This is obviously a tremendous honor for Raony," Tech head coach Tim Siegel said. "For a freshman to be named to the All-Big 12 singles and doubles teams and win the Freshman of the Year award, it says a lot about the season Raony has had. I honestly believe that Raony's best tennis is yet to come."

The Red Raiders open the NCAA Championships at 10 a.m., Friday, in Austin, Texas, against the University of Washington. With a win, Tech would advance to play the winner of Friday's other match between host Texas and Sacred Heart at 1 p.m., Saturday.