Sam Sippel and Jakob Schnaitter were honored by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association this week, as the ITA announced its 2020 Division II Regional Awards. Sippel was named the West Region Rookie of the Year, and Schnaitter was named the West Region Player to Watch.

Sippel was selected as the region's top freshman after being named All-American, posting a perfect 9-0 spring season record, and claiming the ITA Fall West Region Singles Championship. Of his nine victories this spring, he won all but one match in just two sets. In the ITA Regional Individual rankings that were released at the end of the year, Sippel was ranked second.

Schnaitter earned his regional award after going 5-0 in the spring at the #1 spot for the Cougars. In the final ITA Regional Individual rankings, Schnaitter was ranked first.

"Jakob and Sam were the best one, two punch in all of Division II in my opinion," said Azusa Pacific head coach Mark Bohren, "It is good to see both of them receive these awards for the year each of them had, and it once again showcases Azusa Pacific as one of the best tennis programs in the country."