Flames’ Miguel Garners ASUN Player of Week Distinction For 1st Time

ASUN Release

Liberty Flames freshman Luis Felipe Miguel has been named the ASUN Men’s Tennis Player of the Week.

This is Miguel’s first career honor. He is the second player in program history to be named ASUN Player of the Week as a true freshman, joining Josh Wilson (Jan. 30, 2019).

Miguel is one of three Flames to receive the award this season, joining Christiaan Worst (last Wednesday) and Josh Wilson (Feb. 1). He is Liberty’s 22nd ASUN Player of the Week in program history in five seasons in the conference.

Miguel, who hails from Goiania Brazil, continued to make an impact in his rookie campaign with the Flames, winning both of his matches in No. 72 Liberty’s triumph over No. 70 Charlotte at the Liberty Tennis Complex on Saturday. He teamed up with Deji Thomas-Smith in the No. 2 doubles contest, with the duo prevailing 6-1 over the 49ers’ Coy Simon and Ivan Dreycopp. The Flames claimed the crucial doubles point in a 4-3 win.

In singles, it was Miguel who clinched the match for the Flames and provided a 4-2 lead with a 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-2 result over Brett Gloria of Charlotte on court six.

Miguel and Thomas-Smith have been a formidable doubles pairing this spring at 5-3, including a 4-2 mark in the No. 2 position. In singles, the standout freshman is 7-3 overall, including a 3-0 mark in the No. 6 slot.

Liberty’s victory was its second ranked triumph of the season (other: No. 46 Penn State on Feb. 24). Miguel and the Flames (5-6) have moved up three spots in the national rankings to No. 69.

Liberty will square off with No. 31 Arizona State, Friday evening at 7 p.m. Eastern at the ASUN Spring Break Tournament. The Flames will also compete on Saturday and Sunday against to-be-determined opponents. Those potential opponents include No. 24 Memphis, No. 50 Texas Tech, No. 55 Oregon, No. 61 Drake, No. 67 Michigan State and Boise State.