LSU Gold

Simpson, Butsch Receive SEC Postseason Honors

by Bria Turner
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Simpson, Butsch Receive SEC Postseason Honors

BIRMINGHAM, La. – Junior Chris Simpson and freshman Justin Butsch earned Second Team All-SEC and All-Freshman Team honors, the league announced Thursday. Both Simpson and Butsch received an SEC Weekly Award during the season.
 
Simpson clinched three matches during his junior season, including LSU’s thrilling 4-3 victory in its dual-season opener at Rice on January 19. Butsch clinched four matches for the Tigers in his freshman campaign, including LSU’s first SEC win at Ole Miss on March 23 and a thrilling 4-3 win over George Washington on March 12.
 
“Chris and Justin have both been big keys in the matches that we’ve been successful in,” said LSU head coach Jeff Brown.
 
Simpson is the only LSU player ranked in singles and has stayed in the rankings the entire season. The Derby, England native, is LSU’s No. 1 player and competed against 14 ranked opponents while compiling an 11-13 record in the dual season on court one. Simpson is currently ranked at No. 95.
 
In doubles, Simpson and partner Boris Arias played to a 10-6 record on court one and held a 3-4 record against nationally-ranked teams. The duo has been ranked through most of the dual season with their current placement in the standings at No. 34.

“Chris has been a leader for us in singles and doubles for a number of years now,” Brown said. “I think his best tennis is ahead of him.”
 
Butsch improved from court six to court two in the singles lineup, with the most success on courts three and five. The Miami native had an overall 3-1 record on court three and 5-3 record on court five. Butsch compiled an 11-9 dual season record and a 19-15 record overall. Butsch was 3-3 overall in SEC play and undefeated on two courts, going 2-0 on court five and 1-0 on court three throughout the conference season.

“Justin really got on board early in the season and he’s one of the best competitors that we’ve had,” Brown said. “His upside is huge. We look forward to watching him develop.”
 
The Tigers finished the SEC tournament with a 14-14 overall record on the season. LSU awaits the decision of the NCAA for the tournament selections. The Selection Committee will announce its decisions on Tuesday, April 29 at 4 p.m. CT.
 
For up-to-date information and behind the scenes access on the Tigers, fans can follow the LSU men’s tennis team on Twitter and Instagram at @lsutennis and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lsutennis.
 
First Team All-SEC
Danill Proskura, Alabama
Florent Diep, Florida
Garrett Brasseaux, Georgia
Austin Smith, Georgia
Nathan Pasha, Georgia
Tom Jomby, Kentucky
Nik Scholtz, Ole Miss
Mikelis Liebietis, Tennessee
Hunter Reese, Tennessee
Harrison Adams, Texas A&M
Shane Vinsant, Texas A&M
Gonzales Austin, Vanderbilt
 
Second Team All-SEC
Becker O’Shaughnessey, Alabama
Daniel Cochrane, Auburn
Lukas Ollert, Auburn
Maxx Lipman, Florida 
Gordon Watson, Florida 
Alejandro Gomez, Kentucky
Beck Pennington, Kentucky
Chris Simpson, LSU 
Florian Lakat, Mississippi State
Andrew Adams, South Carolina 
Jeremy Efferding, Texas A&M
Ryan Lipman, Vanderbilt
 
All-Freshman Team
Nikko Madregallejo, Alabama 
Johan den Toom, Arkansas
Maxx Lipman, Florida
Elliott Orkin, Florida 
Jerry Lopez, Kentucky
Justin Butsch, LSU 
Florian Lakat, Mississippi State
Andrew Schafer, South Carolina
 
Coach of the Year
Steve Denton, Texas A&M
 
Player of the Year
Nik Scholtz, Ole Miss
 
Freshman of the Year
Florian Lakat, Mississippi State
 
Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Daniil Proskura Alabama