Rodrigues Named ITA All-Star

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina men’s tennis sophomore Daniel Rodrigues was named to the ITA All-Star Team, a recognition that honors the top athletes across all divisions of college tennis. Rodrigues was one of eight in the Division I Men’s category for 2020-21 and only the second Gamecock to receive this honor in program history.
 
The Funchal, Portugal, native finished his second full season at 31-8 (.795) in singles, including finishing as runner-up in the NCAA Singles Championship. He ranked second in program history with 15 wins against nationally ranked opponents this season, including seven against top-25 players. He rose as high as No. 1 in the ITA singles ranking before ending the season as No. 3, tying him for highest final ranking in program history.
 
In doubles, Rodrigues teamed with Connor Thomson to form the No. 13 duo in the country behind a 22-13 record that included a 15-8 mark in the No. 1 spot in the lineup. They went 11-7 against ranked opponents.
 
The Gamecocks finished the season ranked No. 13 in the country, the program’s best final ranking since coming in at No. 5 at the end of the 1988-89 campaign. South Carolina advanced to the NCAA Championships Round of 16 for the first time since the 2005 event.
 
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2020-21 Division I Men’s Collegiate All-Star Team
NCAA Singles Champion:
–        Sam Riffice (University of Florida)
NCAA Singles Runner-Up:
–        Daniel Rodrigues (University of South Carolina)
ITA National Fall Championships Singles Champion:
–         Trey Hilderbrand (UCF)
No. 1 Ranked Singles:
–         Liam Draxl (University of Kentucky)
NCAA Doubles Champions:
–        Adam Walton & Pat Harper (University of Tennessee)
NCAA Doubles Runner-Up:
–        Finn Murgett & Tad Maclean (University of Auburn)