College Men’s Tennis News – Four Guilford Students Garner Academic Honors

SKILLMAN, N.J – Four Guilford College students are among 457 NCAA Division III men’s tennis players recognized by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) as 2014-15 NCAA Division III ITA Scholar-Athletes. Levi Bruff (Lexington, N.C./Central Davidson), John Brvenik (Pine Knoll Shores, N.C./E.O. Smith (Conn.)), Mason Church (Wilkesboro, N.C./Millers Creek Christian) and Aaron Smedley (West Chicago, Ill./Barlett) met the organization’s criteria for the first time in their respective careers.

In order to earn ITA Scholar-Athlete status a player must meet the following criteria: 1.) be a varsity letter winner, 2.) have a grade point average of at least 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale) for the current academic year, and 3.) have been enrolled at their present school for at least 2 semesters (including freshman through senior year).

Bruff, a sophomore education studies and biology major, posted a 5-6 singles record and went 12-7 in doubles. He played mostly at sixth singles and third doubles during the season. His 12 doubles wins shared the team lead in 2014-15. Bruff and Church earned Second Team All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) recognition at third doubles. A dean’s list student, Bruff is a four-time member of Guilford’s Student-Athlete Honor Roll and a two-time Academic All-ODAC selection.

Brvenik, a junior sport management major, had a 4-3 singles record and played in four different flights. He won all three of his ODAC matches during the campaign. The dean’s list student is a six-time member of Guilford’s Student-Athlete Honor Roll and made the Academic All-ODAC Squad for the 2014-15 year.

Church, a sophomore business administration and computing and information technology major, finished third on the team with a 9-4 singles record and won eight of 13 doubles contests. He garnered Second Team All-ODAC honors for his play at fifth singles in addition to his second-team all-league doubles commendation. A dean’s list student, Church is a four-time member of Guilford’s Student-Athlete Honor Roll and a two-time Academic All-ODAC pick.

Smedley, a sophomore computing and information technology major, ranked second on the team with 22 combined wins and 12 singles victories. He posted a 12-6 mark playing mostly at fourth singles, where he went 6-0 in league competition and collected Second Team All-ODAC recognition. Smedley was 10-10 in doubles, where he mostly played on the second flight. The dean’s list student is a four-time member of Guilford’s Academic Honor Roll and a two-time Academic All-ODAC selection.

The students helped coach Dave McCain’s Quakers to an 11-5 overall record (8-2 ODAC) and a share of third place in the 2015 league tournament.