ITA Senior Player of the Year award honors the senior student-athlete who had the best year among all student-athletes in their class.
Val Vacherot, the SEC Player of the Year, improved to 85-20 all-time in the Maroon & White in dual matches at the SEC Tournament, tying the program record for dual singles wins with Kimmio Alkio (1982-86) and Greg Hill (1982-85). The right-hander is the league's only student-athlete to be ranked in the top-five for the entire 2021 season as he posted a team-best 14 ranked wins. Over his time in Aggieland, he has recorded an astonishing 43-6 all-time mark in conference matches including a program-record 19-match conference win streak. Val earned the national No. 4 seed in the NCAA Singles Tournament, solidifying All-American honors for the third time in his collegiate career. He finishes his season with a 25-7 singles record!
A letter from TAMU Men's Tennis Head Coach, Steve Denton
Val,
Words cannot truly express how excited and happy we are to hear the news of you receiving this most deserving and prestigious national award.
The past 15 months have tested all of us and yet you have exemplified everything that is great about college athletics, especially perseverance with a great attitude, enjoying the ride.
You have represented Texas A&M with great distinction and honor. Your quiet and gentlemanly leadership qualities were on full display while you represented the Maroon and White in the arena of college tennis.
The fighting spirit you displayed and the love for competition, your teammates and our great university were always evident in everything that you accomplished.
I know I am biased but I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.
We are very proud of all of your accomplishments
Your journey is truly only beginning, congratulations again for this great honor.