Heinrich Named ITA Northeast Rookie of the Year for Men's Tennis
Mark Becker
HOBOKEN, N.J. (May 15, 2013) – Stevens Institute of Technology men’s tennis freshman
Matthew Heinrich (Hendersonville, Tenn.) has been named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Rookie of the Year in the Northeast region.
Ranked the No. 13 singles player and part of the No. 4 doubles pairing in the region in the latest rankings on May 2, Heinrich has not lost a match at either singles or doubles since, including victories at both first singles and doubles over No. 22 University of Mary Washington and a first doubles win against No. 3 Amherst College (he was also leading first singles by a set over the No. 1-ranked player in the region before play was halted).
The rookie sensation closed out his singles record this season at an incredible 24-5 (10-1 at first singles) and will look to improve his doubles ledger (21-3 this spring) next week as he teams with senior
Chris Rosensteel (East Windsor, N.J.) at the
NCAA Individual Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich. from Thursday, May 23-Saturday, May 25.
Heinrich has already written his name into the program’s record books in multiple categories, including ranking first all-time in single-season doubles victories (26) and as a doubles pairing with Rosensteel (21). Although he is not eligible for career percentage rankings until the conclusion of next season, he would rank first all-time with a .813 doubles win percentage.
The Ducks ended their season having advanced farthest in the NCAA Championship in program history and one win shy of the all-time program record of 18 (set in 2009-10) with a 17-8 record, with all eight losses coming at the hands of national top-27 opponents. Stevens picked up its first-ever wins over ranked opponents in No. 30 The College of New Jersey (
6-3) and No. 22 University of Mary Washington (
5-4) in the Second Round while shattering the individual records books despite playing by far their most difficult schedule ever, which included 10 top-30 opponents.