Bucknell University Athletics
Nick Bybel Earns Player of the Year Award and First Team ALL-PL Honors
5/6/2014 3:29:00 PM | Men's Tennis
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell sophomore Nick Bybel (Lancaster, Pa./Hilton Head Christian Academy (S.C.)) was selected to the six-member Academic All-Patriot League team on Monday afternoon, proving his ability to combine academic and athletic excellence, but on Tuesday, the men's tennis standout received the Patriot League's highest honor for on-court performance, winning the 2014 Player of the Year award. Bybel, who was named the conference's Rookie of the Year at the conclusion of last season, also earned a spot on the All-Patriot League first team for his outstanding play during his sophomore campaign.
The Patriot League began selecting a men's tennis Player of the Year in 2002, and Bybel, who was the first Bucknell player to be named Rookie of the Year in 2013, also became the first Bison to win the conference's most prestigious award. A two-time first team All-Patriot League selection, Bybel recorded a 26-9 record in singles action during the 2013-14 campaign, breaking the program's record for single-season victories and compiling a 14-4 mark at No. 1 singles. The sophomore, who had won eight straight when his season ended at the Patriot League Tournament, was a perfect 5-0 in singles play against conference foes, making him the only undefeated No. 1 player in the league.
Bybel, who was the first Bucknell player invited to the ITA All-American Championships in the fall, was also superior in doubles play over the course of the year, finishing the season with a 16-12 record. The sophomore was 9-6 at No. 1 doubles, playing mostly with senior Aidan Lynch in the top spot. The two compiled a 4-2 record in Patriot League doubles play, and had won four straight at the conclusion of the season.
At the end of the 2013-14 campaign, Bybel had shot up the all-time charts in all three career categories after only two seasons in the orange and blue. The sophomore is now tied for 17th in all-time singles victories (48-18), ranks 19th in all-time victories (82-40) and is 25th in all-time doubles victories (34-22).
In addition to the awards he earned for his play during the entire season, Bybel was recognized as the Patriot League's Player of the Month for his success in April.
2014 Major Awards and All-Patriot League Team
Player of the Year - Nick Bybel, Bucknell
Rookie of the Year - Sam Lampman, Army
Coach of the Year - Jim Poling, Army
First Team All-Patriot League
Asika Isoh, Army, Sr.
Nick Bybel, Bucknell, So.
Luke Gensburg, Colgate, Sr.
Ben Gilman, Lehigh, Jr.
Austin Jones, Navy, So.
Calvin Mark, Navy, Jr.
Second Team All-Patriot League
Sam Lampman, Army, Fr.
Grant Riechmann, Army, Fr.
Alex Van Velzer, Army, Jr.
Chanon Varapongsittikul, Boston University, Sr.
Mark Goldberg, Lehigh, Sr.
Blake Daniel, Navy, Jr.
Players Mentioned
