TEMPE, Ariz. (SMU/ITA) - SMU senior Nate Lammons earned ITA Most Improved Player (Senior) of the Texas Region, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced on Monday.

In order to be a potential recipient of this honor, the student-athlete must be in his senior year of eligibility and have made the greatest improvement from his freshman year to his senior year.

"Nate is a fabulous example for all high school athletes to try and become," said Head Coach Carl Neufeld. "Coming in and redshirting his first year and from not being ranked the first year he played to now being ranked in both singles and doubles is a testament to his hard work and dedication."

Lammons, the No. 110 singles player, continued his improvement from previous years up into this point. The Woodland, Texas, native began his career winning 10 singles dual matches, and saw an increase each year, reaching a career-high 17 singles victories in the spring. He first entered the ITA rankings as a singles player last year, and this year he was ranked as high as 44th. In doubles play, Lammons cracked the ITA rankings with his teammate Arkadijs Slobodkins for the first time is his career. The duo was placed as high as 16th and currently stands at No. 54.

"Receiving this award while dealing with his first responsibility of academics and earning his Bachelor's as well as his Master's in Mechanical Engineering is a perfect example of what we should all be," said Neufeld.

The Mustangs face Washington in the first round of the NCAA Championship in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday at 10 a.m. CT.