Row 1: M. Mare', A Edwards, H. Hashimoto, A. Ford, C. McReynolds, J. Rowden, A. Saegert, S. Lhotak, G. Synco. Row 2: M. Ruiz (asst. coach), H. Ruiz, J. Vasquez, F. Carbonari, G. Uglovs, M. Bailey, J. Rider, F. Hickey, M. Singnil, A Campos. Sophomore Kittibodee "Mark" Singnil of Samutsakorn, Thailand, first came to the United States to play college tennis in January 2012. Singnil turned out to be a valuable addition to the Bisons tennis team. By the end of the three-month season, he helped lead the team to a 20-4 record and was named both the 2012 Great American Conference Freshman of the Year and GAG Player of the Year. ''I'm really glad that I got those awards," Singnil said. "It gives me a lot of confidence in myself and also is my inspiration to work harder. Moreover, every single award that I have gotten, it's because of my effort and especially my hard work." Singnil went 15-1 in singles matches and 12-5 in doubles matches for the spring season, making him a standout player from the beginning of his collegiate career. Although it was not his best record, Singnil said he pushed both himself and his teammates to work hard throughout the season. Members of the men's tennis team spoke highly of Singnil as a player and as a person. Sophomore Jon Mark Rowden, who went 10-4 in doubles matches with Singnil last season, said that Singnil and his achievements made the team grow closer and helped push everyone to work harder. The Perfect Match Freshman brings new sense of team unity "It was definitely an honor for him to receive those awards, and I think our team as a whole would agree with the fact that he deserved them as well," Rowden said. "We push each other extre!llely hard, and we all know if we continue working hard, then we have a great chance at accomplishing our goals and making history at Harding University." Other players, such as Henrique Ruiz, a 201:2 alumnus who played on the tennis team throughout his college career, said Singnil was an inspiration for the entire team. "I have no doubt Mark is the greatest tennis player Harding has ever had," Ruiz said. "It was encouraging for me, and I believe for the whole team, to see Mark stepping up as the number one player and not caring about who his opponent was. He would go out there and beat them as hard as he could. He helped the team to realize the potential we had and believe in ourselves." Singnil said his ultimate vision for the team went beyond his personal awards, and he believed that the team could achieve that vision. "We have an objective, a destination; we all want to go to a national competition," Singnil said. "So I tell everybody, 'work hard and just do your best."' Matt Ryan Men's Tennis Est. 1963 1 273
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