SKILLMAN, N.J. - University of Virginia junior, Michael Shabaz was voted the Most Outstanding Player of the 2010 ITA National Men's Team Indoor Championship. Shabaz helped the Cavaliers capture their third consecutive ITA National Men's Team Indoor title by posting a 2-0 record at No. 1 singles that included a straight-set victory over second-ranked J.P. Smith of Tennessee in the championship match.
UVA became only the second team in history to win three consecutive ITA National Team Indoor Championships. Stanford won the first three tournaments held from 1973-76.
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER Michael Shabaz, University of Virginia - No. 1 Singles (2-0)
vs. Syketh Myneni (Alabama) 6-3, 1-6, 2-1, DNF
def. Nate Schnugg (Georgia) - 6-4, 7-5
vs. Chase Buchanan (Ohio State) 4-6, 6-3, 0-0 DNF
def. John-Patrick Smith (Tennessee) 6-4, 6-4
2009 ITA/D'Novo All-American Singles and Doubles Champion, J.P. Smith had defeated No. 3 Shabaz in straight sets during the fall, but Shabaz returned the favor by winning 6-4, 6-4 at the No. 1 position. Virginia took a 3-1 lead with Shabaz victory. This win snapped second-ranked Smith's 13-match dual match winning streak, dating back to last season.
"Michael is a big time player," said Boland. "He rises to the occasion. When the stakes are the highest, he raises the level of his play. When it comes to crunch time, he knows what it takes to be successful. He came up big for us today and I am not surprised at all by that."
Shabaz is joined on the All-Tournament Team by the following players and doubles teams:
2010 ITA National Men's Team Indoor Championships All-Tournament Team
Singles No. 1 - Michael Shabaz, Virginia
No. 2 - Sanam Singh, Virginia
No. 3 - Rhyne Williams, Tennessee
No. 4 - Drew Courtney, Virginia
No. 5 - Houston Barrick, Virginia
No. 6 - Nassam Slilam, Florida
Doubles No. 1 - Davey Sandgren/J.P. Smith, Tennessee
No. 2 - Boris Conkic/Rhyne Williams, Tennessee
No. 3 - Jean Andersen/Daniel Whitehead, Texas
This is the third annual ITA National Men's Team Indoor All-Tournament Team. Voters for the team included the 16 participating coaches and the ITA National Ranking Committee.
During Virginia's three-year reign as ITA National Men's Team Indoor Champion, two other Cavaliers have joined Shabaz in receiving the prestigious Most Outstanding Player award. Current teammate Sanama Singh, who was also voted to this year's All-Tournament Team, won the award last year and two-time ITA National Player of the Year, Somdev Devvarman won the award in 2008.
For complete tournament information and results, please visit www.ITAtennis.com.