Lopez, Middel named All-Big Sky

[Colter_Nuanez]

MSU PRESS RELEASE

Montana State senior Paulina Lopez captured All-Big Sky Conference Second-Team honors, while freshman Laura Middel was tabbed honorable mention by the league coaches, Thursday afternoon.

Lopez, a product of Naucalpan, Mexico, was MSU’s most consistent performer in singles action, recording a team-best 13-6 overall mark. She also went 6-4 in Big Sky Conference action, playing mostly at No. 3 singles. Lopez also notched a 3-1 mark at No. 2 singles, as well.

“Over the course of her career, Paulina has been one of our most consistent players,” MSU head coach Denise Albrecht said. “When we needed a big win, we could count on her to come through for us. Paulina’s court demeanor and work ethic has been super all four years, and this is a great honor for her.”

Middel, a rookie from Hoogezand, Netherlands, played at No. 2 singles for the Bobcats and notched a 9-11 overall mark and a 5-5 Big Sky Conference ledger. In the last two weeks of the season, she moved up to MSU’s No. 1 spot and recorded a 2-0 slate, including a 6-3, 6-1 win over Portland State’s Dane Vorster at the Big Sky Tournament. Vorster was named First-Team All-Big Sky.

In addition, Middel combined with senior Ellie Crum in doubles play. The duo posted the Big Sky’s top mark at No. 2 doubles with a 9-1 record. Overall, the tandem went 13-3 on the season, which included a 12-match winning streak.

“Laura is the face of the future,” Albrecht said. “Once she got settled into the program she just kept getting better with each match, and by the end of the season, was going toe-to-toe with some of the best players in the league, and beating them.”

The last time the Montana State women had two players named to the Big Sky All-Conference team was in 2012 with Lopez (HM) and Charlotta Hjalmarsson (1st Team).

[Colter_Nuanez]

MSU PRESS RELEASE

Montana State junior Niklas Brandes made history Thursday, becoming only the fifth Bobcat ever to earn First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors three times.

The Bobcats' No. 1 singles player all season, he finished 10-7 in all matches, the third-best winning percentage among Big Sky No.1 1 singles players with at least five matches, and his 6-2 mark in Big Sky play was second-best in the league. The Nordenham, Germany product was 10-7 in doubles play, 7-2 in the league.

"Nik deserves it," said Bobcat coach Jared Burnham. "He shows up ready to go at every practice and every game day, and competes."

Brandes becomes just the fifth Bobcat ever to earn First Team All-Big Sky honors at least three times. Lukasz Mazur (2000-02) and Kyle McDonald (2005, 2007-08) were also three-time first teamers, while Federico Ueltschi and Marek Gebicki each earned first team honors all four of their seasons, from 2003-06.

Sophomore Harry James also earned All-Big Sky honors, landing honorable mention plaudits. He finished 14-4 overall in singles competition, 8-1 in Big Sky action.