May 10, 2005

NORFOLK, Va. -- Men's tennis and NCAA-bound senior Izak van der Merwe (Kempton Park, South Africa) was named the Mideast Nostrand Memorial Award Nominee it was announced today by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). The nominees for the Van Nostrand Award, an honor bestowed up an outstanding senior men's player who plans to pursue a professional career after college, are put forth by their respective regional committees for national award consideration.

Van der Merwe, named the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year for the second straight season, posted a 23-11 overall singles record, including a 14-7 mark in dual matches this spring. Ranked #37 in the nation by the ITA, the senior reached the semifinals of ITA National Indoors and made the quarterfinals of the ITA All-American Main Draw. Van der Merwe recorded victories over five ranked opponents in spring dual meet competition.

Old Dominion's top singles player, van der Merwe will head to the NCAA men's tennis singles championship later this month. The singles competition will be conducted May 25-30 at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center in College Station, Texas, following the conclusion of the team championship (May 21-24).