Men's Tennis | 4/22/2021 12:20:00 PM

ROME, Ga.  The USA South Athletic Conference on Thursday morning announced its 2021 all-conference men's tennis teams, naming Methodist freshman Jordan Theron its Player and Rookie of the Year, and a first-team All-USA South honoree.

Theron was also named to the All-East Division first team with teammate Trent Harner. Coleman Baker earned All-East honorable mention recognition and Harrison Bitzberger was named to the All-Sportsmanship team.

Theron is the first USA South Player of the Year since the 2014 postseason and the first Rookie of the Year since 2012.

Theron played all 15 matches in the spring at the No. 1 singles position for Methodist, registering a 12-3 mark overall and a 4-0 record in league action. His only losses in the season were against the No. 1 singles players from Division I University of Richmond and College of Charleston, and from D-II University of Mount Olive, the latter two going three sets.

He closed the 2021 schedule with a seven-match win streak. Six of those matches were in straight sets.

Senior Trent Harner was 7-6 overall and 2-2 in conference singles play. Of his cumulative mark, Harner was 6-3 in the 3-singles spot. Over the course of the season Harner was 2-1 in three-set matches, and in his five straight-set wins he averaged surrendering a total of just three games.

Harner teamed with Baker for 10 doubles matches, registering a 3-7 mark overall while competing in the Nos. 1 and 2 doubles positions for the Monarchs.

Baker closed his senior campaign with a 4-6 record overall, but was 3-0 in conference action. He played in the Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 singles spots for Methodist, going 1-1 at 3 and 5 and 2-1 at No. 6.

In limited varsity action over the schedule, Bitzberger was 1-4, playing in either the No. 3 or 5 singles position.

Methodist finished third in the East Division at 3-2, and was 8-13 overall including a 7-5 record against fellow Division III opponents.