Jesse Levine Named Rookie of the Year

GAINESVILLE - Freshman Jesse Levine was named the National Rookie of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Tuesday during a ceremony at the University of Georgia's Rankin M. Smith Student-Athlete Center.

Levine is the second ITA National Rookie of the Year the Gators have had under sixth-year head coach Andy Jackson. In 2003, Janne Holmia earned the honor.

This season, Levine has had one of the best seasons for a freshman in recent history. At No. 3 in the Fila singles and doubles rankings, he opened his collegiate career with a 21-match winning streak. On Wednesday, he and junior Greg Ouellette will represent the Gators in the NCAA singles draw. The two will combine their efforts in the NCAA doubles draw, which begins Thursday in Athens.

Levine is the first player since Fresno State’s Peter Luczak in 2001 to be undefeated entering the singles competition. That year, Luczak was 27-0 before losing in the first round. Levine's 21-0 record on the No. 1 singles court this year includes an 11-0 mark against Southeastern Conference opponents and a 16-0 record against ranked opponents. Nineteen of Levine's 21 wins have come in straight sets. In doubles play, he and Ouellette are 18-2 on the top court and 8-1 against ranked foes.