Casey Watt posted a 2-0 singles record at the 2009 Blue Gray National Tennis Classic en route to being named BIG EAST men's tennis Player of the Week.

Casey Watt Named BIG EAST Men's Tennis Player Of The Week

March 25, 2009

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Irish men’s tennis player Casey Watt (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) was named the BIG EAST men’s tennis Player of the Week it was announced by the BIG EAST Conference on Tuesday afternoon.

It marks Watt’s first career Player of the Week award and the second time an Irish player has captured the honor this season, as senior Brett Helgeson (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley West) was named BIG EAST Player of the Week on February 11.

Last week, Watt helped lead the Irish with a 2-0 singles record as he served it up from third singles in Notre Dame’s three matches at the 2009 Blue Gray National tennis Classic in Montgomery, Ala. The matches marked Watt’s second, third and fourth career starts at No. three singles.

Watt recorded a win over Antonio Lastre of Mississippi State on March 19 to help Notre Dame to a 4-2 win over the Bulldogs. He took the first set, 7-6 (8-6) against Lastre but dropped the second set, 6-0. Watt then rebounded to claim the decisive third set, 6-3. A day later, Watt and the Irish faced 22nd-ranked Boise State. Watt lined against 80th-ranked George Meredith, but the match was unfinished as Boise State claimed a 4-0 win before Watt and Meredith concluded their match. Then on March 21 versus Wisconsin, Watt recorded his second singles win of the weekend as he beat Patrick Pohlmann in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. At the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic, Watt also made three starts at second doubles for the Irish.

On the dual season, Watt boasts a 13-4 singles record, including a 3-1 mark at third singles and a 10-3 record at fourth singles. His 13 wins lead the Irish. He also has a 9-8 dual season doubles mark, all coming paired with Stephen Havens (Cincinnati, Ohio/Hill Christian School) at second doubles.

Watt and the Irish return home to play host to BIG EAST foe South Florida on Saturday, March 28. The Irish will also play ninth-ranked Illinois at home on Sunday, March 29. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m, while Sunday will be Notre Dame’s final home match of the 2009 regular season.

–ND–