Morehouse College junior Justin Samples was recently named Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) tennis player of the week after three singles and two doubles victories.
Samples, 6’2”, 194 pounds, dominated the competition last week winning two singles matches against Fort Valley State University and another against Tuskegee University, 6-3, 6-1 over Brandon Sewell.
On his receiving the player of the week award, Samples said, “It feels great. I have been putting in the work during the fall so it’s good to get that recognition from the conference.”
The Morehouse College Maroon Tigers tennis team is 6-7 thus far this season after winning three of their last four matches, most recently losing at the University of South Carolina Aiken 0-9.
“Justin has greatly improved both as a player and as a team captain,” said Maroon Tigers head tennis coach Terry Alexander. “Justin is the first to practice and the last to leave. He hasn’t missed a match this season and comes to compete for every single match.”
Samples’ game has come a long way from his freshman season to be one of the best players in the conference and Alexander acknowledges that fact.
“Justin’s play has transitioned from a pure baseliner to a more versatile and more offensively aggressive player on the court,” said Alexander. “He now strategically plans to attack the opponent more often, especially on crucial points while in addition to taking advantage of attacking when the opportunity presents itself.”
The Maroon Tigers have another match scheduled in Oxford, Georgia against Oxford College of Emory University on Sat., Apr. 7 before hosting the SIAC championships on Apr. 13 and 14 at the Peachtree City Tennis Center.
“We have a young team,” said Samples, “so this is kind of a rebuilding season for us but I feel the years to come will be better and hopefully will lead to a conference championship.”
The Peachtree City Tennis Center is located at 10 Planterra Way in Peachtree City.
