May 29, 2005

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Old Dominion's Izak van der Merwe's (Kempton Park, South Africa) run in the 2005 NCAA Men's Tennis Singles Championships came to an end Sunday at the Mitchell Tennis Center on the campus of Texas A&M in the tournament's semifinals, as the senior Monarch fell to Pierrik Ysern of San Diego, 6-4, 6-4.

Van der Merwe concludes his career as one of the most decorated Monarch tennis players in history. He ended his season with a 27-12 singles mark and a career mark of 100-39, placing him second all-time in Old Dominion men's tennis history in career wins. During the 2004-05 campaign, he defeated nine opponents ranked in the ITA Poll including a run of four straight during his NCAA Tournament appearance.

After a tremendously successful four-year career at Old Dominion, van der Merwe's name will also been seen elsewhere in the record books as the South Africa native holds Old Dominion's all-time doubles record (92-45) and all-time total career wins (192-84).

Van der Merwe's Career Highlights
* 2005, 2004 CAA Player of the Year
* 2005, 2004, 2003 First Team All-CAA - singles, doubles
* 2005 NCAA Tournament Semifinals - singles
* 2005 Achieved Preseason No. 9 Ranking in ITA Poll - singles
* 2005 Achieved Preseason No. 26 Ranking in ITA Poll - doubles
* 2005 Quarterfinals of Icy Hot/ITA All-American Championships - singles
* 2005 Round of 32 Wilson/ITA Mideast Regional - singles
* 2005 Round of 16 Icy Hot/ITA All-American Championships & Wilson ITA Mideast Regional - doubles
* 2004 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals - singles
* 2004 NCAA Tournament Semifinals - doubles
* 2004 All-American - doubles
* 2004 CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
* 2004 Region II Player to Watch
* 2004 Finals of ITA National Indoor Championship - doubles
* 2004 Semifinals of ITA All-American Championships - doubles
* 2003 NCAA Tournament First Round - doubles
* 2003 ITA Region II Doubles Champion
* 2003 Finals of ITA National Indoor Championship - doubles
* 2002 Second Team All-CAA - doubles
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