By Terrisa Mark, Assistant Sports Information Director
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Following a strong regular season, Alabama A&M men’s tennis has earned a pair of selections on the 2022 All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Team as announced by the league on Friday, April 22.
Leading the honors is senior Natiphat Mulada (Korat, Thailand) who was named Player of the Year as well as making it to the All-SWAC First Team at position No. 3. Freshman Matis Torres Ramis (Mallorca, Spain) was named to the SWAC Second Team at position No. 6.
This is only the second time in recorded program history that a Bulldog has earned Player of the Year title. It’s also the fourth multiple selection dating back to 2006 and the fifth time within the past 17 years that AAMU has had a selection.
Natiphat Mulada – Player of The Year, SWAC First Team No. 3
Mulada delivered an impressive season with a 7-7 overall record while going 3-0 in SWAC play. In total he played five league matches, winning three while two were unfinished.
His top conference performances include individual victories over Mississippi Valley (6-0, 6-0), Alcorn (6-4, 4-1) and Jackson State (6-4, 7-5) while delivering non-conference wins at C-USA member Alabama-Birmingham (6-2, 6-2), Samford (SoCon), (6-3, 3-6, 6-3) and North Alabama (ASUN), (7-5, 7-5).
Matis Torres Ramis – SWAC Second Team No. 6
Torres Ramis has represented the Bulldogs well in his first season with a 6-6 overall record while going 4-0 in the League. His conference victories came over Mississippi Valley (6-0, 6-0), Alcorn (6-1, 6-1) Prairie View (6-3, 6-1) and Jackson State (6-1, 6-1). Mulada, Ramis and the Bulldogs are back in action today in quarterfinal action against No. 6 seed Mississippi Valley in the SWAC Tournament.
2022 Men’s Tennis All-Southwestern Athletic Conference Teams
No. 1 Position
First Team: Francisco Vargas, Jackson State
Second Team: Chris Andre, Alabama State
No. 2 Position
First Team: Ruan Du Preez, Alabama State
Second Team: Raul Centeno, Jackson State
No. 3 Position
First Team: Natiphat Mulada, Alabama A&M
Second Team: Samrakshyak Bajracharya, Alabama State
No. 4 Position
First Team: David Grandinot, Alabama State
Second Team: Luka Rodic, Alcorn State
No. 5 Position
First Team: Matis Amier, Alabama State
Second Team: Richy Gamo, Jackson State
No. 6 Position
First Team: Kristofer Johnson, Alabama State
Second Team: Matis Ramis, Alabama A&M
Freshman of the Year
David Grandinot, Alabama State
Player of the Year
Natiphat Mulada, Alabama A&M
ALL-TIME ALL-SWAC SELECTIONS (10 – 4 First-Team/4 Second Team)
NOTE: The SWAC did not recognize First and Second-Team in certain years. Instead, recognizing just one team
2022 (2)
Natiphat Mulada, First-Team (No. 3)*
Matis Torres Ramis, Second-Team (No. 6)
*Player of the Year
2019 (2)
Fermin Ruiz Crespo
Rodrigo Arana Rios
2017 (3)
Mateo Monroy Rueda, First-Team Doubles (No. 3)
Carlos Salas, First-Team Doubles (No. 3)
Nishangan Nadaraja, Second-Team Singles (No. 1)
2012 (1)
Desta Sandy, First-Team (Singles)*
*Player of the Year
2007 (2)
John Singleton, Second-Team (Doubles)
Stevon Walker, Second-Team (Doubles)