MORAGA, Calif. — Damon Kesaris and Mariia Kozyreva can add yet another honor to their collegiate resumes as both Gaels received an ITA Regional Playing Award as announced this morning. Kesaris was named the men's ITA Senior Player of the Year in the Northwest region while Kozyreva was named women's ITA Player to Watch in the same region. 

The ITA gives out eight awards to 12 regions each year. The awards include Senior Player of the Year, Player to Watch, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Senior, Team Community Service Award, and the Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award. 

Kesaris was named Senior Player of the Year after an outstanding fall followed up by an undefeated spring season. Last semester, the South African won the Northwest Regional in singles and then advanced all the way to the finals of the ITA Fall Championships as an unranked player before falling in a close three sets. He was 4-0 in singles this spring before the season was cut short and was ranked No. 17 in the country in the latest rankings. 

"This is well deserved recognition," said men's tennis head coach Greg Kennett. "Damon has worked hard to improve his game, becoming one of the elite players in college tennis. His future is bright in both college tennis and into the next level."

Kozyreva was named Player to Watch after also piecing together impressive fall and spring seasons. Kozyreva, who will enter her senior season in the fall, finished runner-up at ITA Regionals and then went on to win the ITA Fall Championship consolation singles finals by winning five straight matches. She was ranked No. 21 when the season was canceled and was 6-3 in singles play including a recent win over Furman's No. 16 Katarina Kozarov. 

"Masha thoroughly deserves this award," said her head coach Simon Harston. "She had a great junior year but I am convinced her best tennis is ahead of her. That for sure makes her a player to watch in the coming years."

The full list of award recipients for the men's side can be found here and the women's can be found here.