Sparkill, N.Y. - On Tuesday, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced its 2023 ITA Division II Men's and Women's Tennis Regional Award recipients. Every year the ITA recognizes coaches and players for their excellence on the court and in their communities throughout the season.
The Division II Playing Awards include: Wilson ITA Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Most Improved Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, and ITA Community Service Award.
Associate Head Coach George (Neil) Tarangioli was named the East Region Men's and Women's Tennis Assistant Coach of the Year, while Men's Tennis athletes Ondrej Sramek and Tony Khamassi were named the East Region Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Senior, respectively.
Tarangioli was elevated to Associate Head Coach for the 2022-2023 season and has been instrumental in providing important tennis instruction and pre-match preparation for both the St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's and Women's Tennis programs. His hard work and dedication to the sport has helped countless numbers of tennis athletes improve their play at both STAC and his previous institution, Concordia College. Tarangioli's knowledge of the game and intensity for wanting to win, combined with the coaching expertise and passion of Head Coach Dan Rockhill, led St. Thomas Aquinas to both ECC Regular Season and Tournament titles for the women's team, an ECC Regular Season crown and finals appearance for the men's squad, both programs advancing to the NCAA Division II East Regional and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance by the Lady Spartans.
Sramek arrived in Sparkill for the 2022-23 campaign and became an immediate factor in many of the Spartans matches, with his exceptional play. The Trebechovice pod Orebem, Czech Republic native concluded his first season in maroon and gold with a 34-10 overall record, winning 15 doubles matches and 19 singles matches. In recognition of his fantastic season, Sramek was named the both the ECC Men's Tennis Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-Conference selection. He also racked up eight ECC Player of the Week awards during regular season play.
Khamassi wrapped up his tremendous career as a Spartan with a 16-7 overall record in 2022-23, winning 14 doubles matches and a pair of singles tilts. The Cannes, France native showed major improvement in all facets of his game and worked extremely hard with the Spartans coaching staff to become a top doubles player in the East Coast Conference. Partnering with both teammates Ivan Laiz and top rookie Ondrej Sramek for doubles, helped steady his game and allow him grow with each and every match.
The national award winners will be announced next Tuesday, June 6th.