Webb and Harris Earn ITA Regional Honors

NORMAN – Awards keep rolling in for the top-ranked Oklahoma men's tennis team as a pair of Sooners were recognized with Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) regional honors, the governing body announced Tuesday.

Senior Dane Webb was awarded the ITA/Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sportsmanship and Leadership Award. The honor is given annually to the player who best exhibits outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.

“Dane has been a leader for this team both on and off the court for four years,” head coach John Roddick said. “He exemplifies all the characteristics you want in a tennis player and in a young man. We are very proud of him.”

Webb is the program's all-time leader in total wins and doubles wins and is second all-time in singles wins. The Richardson, Texas native has led the Sooners to three Big 12 Championships titles and has won at least a share of the regular season title or the tournament title in each of his four years. Webb is a two-time All-American and two-time All-Big 12 selection.

In addition to Webb's award, sophomore Andrew Harris was named the central region's ITA Player to Watch. The award is given annually to a player who is ranked nationally, is expected to be one of the top returning players in the region next year and could possibly win the ITA Regional Championship.

“Harris has had an outstanding year,” Roddick said. “He's playing at a high level and he has proven that he is one of the best collegiate tennis players in the nation. We expect big things from him in the future.”

Harris has been one of the best players in both the region and the nation this season. Just a sophomore, Harris is ranked No. 7 by the ITA and was named to the All-Big 12 team. Harris is 18-4 this season, splitting time at number one and number two singles with junior Axel Alvarez.

In January, Harris traveled to his home country of Australia and competed in a pair of pro tournaments, including the qualifying draw for the Australian Open, and picked up five wins over players in the top 200 in the ITF world rankings.

The Sooners are back in action Thursday as they take on No. 16 UCLA in the round of 16 at the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Team Championships. The match is slated for a 9 a.m. CT start in Waco, Texas.

For more information on Oklahoma Men's Tennis, follow the team on Twitter at @OU_MTennis.