Azkara Named ITA Mountain Region Rookie of the Year

ORLANDO, Fla. — Arda Azkara, who was named the Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year after leading UNM to the Mountain West championship match playing No. 1 singles, was named the ITA Mountain Region Freshman of the Year.

The awards were a part of the regional awards announced by the ITA for all 12 regions that encompass Division I men’s tennis.

Azkara went 14-10 for UNM in singles, playing at the No. 1 slot.  Azkara also played No. 1 doubles as well, and overall, Azkara won 24 matches for the season.  He was named All-Mountain West in both singles and doubles.  He had several big wins during the season, but his 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-5) double tiebreaker win over Utah State’s Borin Zarkovic to advance UNM to the championship of the Mountain West Tournament.

Azkara becomes UNM’s third ITA Mountain Regional Rookie of the Year, and he is the first since Bart van Leijsen in 2015.  Johnny Parkes is the only other winner of the award, taking home to 2006 honors.