Hutchison, Watson Gain ITA Regional Player to Watch, Rookie of the Year

Hutchison, Watson Gain ITA Regional Player to Watch, Rookie of the Year

University of Mary Washington junior Moses Hutchison was named as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Atlantic South Division III Player to Watch, and freshman Andrew Watson was named as the region's Rookie of the Year, as announced by the ITA this morning.

Despite the shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ITA recognizes the hard work on and off the court from our deserving student-athletes. The Division III Awards include: Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Player to Watch, ITA Most Improved Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, and ITA Community Service Award.

The national winners of the awards will be announced next Wednesday at 8 AM PDT during a special virtual awards ceremony. The awards ceremony can be viewed on the ITA's TwitterFacebook, and Youtube.

Hutchison started year strong at 4-2 in singles, playing at number one, with one loss to a Division II school. He had wins over the #6 and #33 ranked players in the nation and another ranked top 10 in the Atlantic South region.  He was in great position to make NCAA singles championship at the end of the regular season.

Hutchison's biggest highlight came in a match against nationally ranked Kenyon College. Hutchison dropped the first set, but stormed back to gain a wildly impressive comeback win over the sixth-ranked player in the nation, Jake Zalenski, 3-6, 7-6, 10-4, to tally the lone singles point for the Eagles in the dual match. For his efforts, he was named the March 10 UTR/ITA National Division III Player of the Week.

In doubles play this season, Hutchison was a perfect 6-0 with Michael Fleming, including four wins over #1 doubles teams from nationally ranked programs, including the #20 team in nation.

Watson went 6-5 overall in singles, including a 4-2 mark in the spring, with wins over opponents from three nationally ranked schools.