Bittner named Big Sky Player of the Week
2/28/2024 10:01:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Montana men's tennis sophomore Tom Bittner went undefeated in singles and doubles over the weekend to help the Griz sweep Marquette and North Dakota in Grand Forks, improving the squad to 7-1 on the year.
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Bittner was 2-0 in singles, winning both matches decisively in straight sets. He was also 1-0 in doubles, and was twice the clincher against the Golden Hawks, sealing the UM win in both singles and doubles.
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On Wednesday he was named the Big Sky Player of the Week for his efforts.
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It's the first conference Player of the Week honor for Bittner, who was an All-Big Sky doubles honorable mention as a freshman.
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The pair of singles wins in Grand Forks kept Bittner undefeated on the year at 7-0, with each of his wins coming in straight sets. He also holds a winning record in doubles at 3-2.
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"I'm so excited for Tom to receive this accolade. He is one of the most professional players I've ever had the privilege to coach. He has been putting in the extra work off court as well, continuing to get maintain a 4.0 GPA, and believing in himself fully. That work is showing with his start to the season being undefeated," said head coach Jason Brown.Â
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"He represents the Griz in all the very best ways."
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Against Marquette Bittner partnered with Chris Zhang to clinch the doubles point with a 6-3 win on court two over MU's Jauch/Schaadt pair.
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He then clinched the team win for UM on court three singles with a 6-2, 6-4, win over Golden Eagle senior Jan Jauch, putting UM up 4-0 en route to a 5-2 team win.
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Against North Dakota, Bittner beat Jarall Yasin in straight sets 6-0, 6-2 on court three to put UM up 3-0, which led to a 4-3 UM team win over the Hawks.
It's the second player of the week win for the Grizzlies this season after Fernando Perez took home the honor in January.Â
Bittner and the Grizzles now prepare for their toughest test of the season this week as they head to Colorado to take on No. 38-ranked Denver University and Wichita State.
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Bittner was 2-0 in singles, winning both matches decisively in straight sets. He was also 1-0 in doubles, and was twice the clincher against the Golden Hawks, sealing the UM win in both singles and doubles.
Â
On Wednesday he was named the Big Sky Player of the Week for his efforts.
Â
It's the first conference Player of the Week honor for Bittner, who was an All-Big Sky doubles honorable mention as a freshman.
Â
The pair of singles wins in Grand Forks kept Bittner undefeated on the year at 7-0, with each of his wins coming in straight sets. He also holds a winning record in doubles at 3-2.
Â
"I'm so excited for Tom to receive this accolade. He is one of the most professional players I've ever had the privilege to coach. He has been putting in the extra work off court as well, continuing to get maintain a 4.0 GPA, and believing in himself fully. That work is showing with his start to the season being undefeated," said head coach Jason Brown.Â
Â
"He represents the Griz in all the very best ways."
Â
Against Marquette Bittner partnered with Chris Zhang to clinch the doubles point with a 6-3 win on court two over MU's Jauch/Schaadt pair.
Â
He then clinched the team win for UM on court three singles with a 6-2, 6-4, win over Golden Eagle senior Jan Jauch, putting UM up 4-0 en route to a 5-2 team win.
Â
Against North Dakota, Bittner beat Jarall Yasin in straight sets 6-0, 6-2 on court three to put UM up 3-0, which led to a 4-3 UM team win over the Hawks.
It's the second player of the week win for the Grizzlies this season after Fernando Perez took home the honor in January.Â
Bittner and the Grizzles now prepare for their toughest test of the season this week as they head to Colorado to take on No. 38-ranked Denver University and Wichita State.
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Players Mentioned
Griz Volleyball Press Conference - 10/6/25
Tuesday, October 07
Griz TV Live Stream
Monday, October 06
Montana vs Idaho St. Highlights
Sunday, October 05
Montana Volleyball Hype Video
Thursday, October 02
