SAN ANTONIO — In his first season of collegiate play,
Matt Banner has helped St. Mary's Tennis become nationally ranked and earn an undefeated regular-season record against Heartland Conference foes. Last week, his efforts have earned him the honor of being this week's Heartland Conference Player of the Week.
In his first career honor, Banner (Fr., Mason, Texas) helped the Rattlers close out the season with their fifth victory in as many matches against conference foes, this time over Dallas Baptist. The freshman cruised in his singles match, winning 6-1, 6-0, as well as in doubles action, winning 8-2.
On the season, Banner is 13-5 overall in doubles and 8-9 in singles play. With his honor this week, Banner is the fourth Rattler to receive the award this season.
Banner and the Rattlers will put their mark to the test as they kick off the Heartland Conference Tournament Friday-Saturday in Dallas.
St. Mary's University, as a Catholic Marianist University, fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community service, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic excellence. The University has six athletic national titles: men's basketball (1989–NAIA), baseball (2001–NCAA Div. II), softball (1986–NAIA and 2002–NCAA Div. II) and an individual national champion in men's golf (2006–NCAA Div. II) and a national academic championship in men's golf (2009–NCAA Div. II). St. Mary's also had more than 40 percent of its athletes named to conference, regional and/or national honor rolls this past year. St. Mary's student–athletes graduation rate is 65 percent, higher than the NCAA Division II average of 55 percent. To learn more about St. Mary's, visit www.rattlerathletics.com.
