Feb. 25, 2011

Seniors Boris Conkic and John-Patrick Smith were named to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships All-Tournament Team for their unbeaten performance at the top of Tennessee's doubles lineup, the college tennis organization announced Friday.

Conkic and Smith were selected as the tournament's best No. 1 doubles team after going 3-0 in the four-day national event and extending their winning streak to eight matches as a pairing.

Conkic and Smith, currently ranked eighth nationally, have a 12-1 record this spring with four wins against top-15 opponents. One of their wins in the tournament came in a close 9-8 (2) match against 12th-ranked Javier Garrapiz and Hernus Pieters of Georgia, the only team to beat the Vols' top duo this season.

The all-tournament honor is one that Conkic and Smith both received after last year's tournament, albeit with different partners. Smith and Davey Sandgren went 4-0 at No. 1 doubles at the 2010 National Indoors, and Conkic and Rhyne Williams were 3-0 at No. 2.

Virginia's Alex Domijan, who was 4-0 at No. 2 singles, was named tournament MVP and helped the Cavaliers to their fourth-consecutive National Indoors title, defeating the Vols 4-0 in the final match.

Over the tournament, Conkic recorded both his 100th career singles and doubles victories, becoming the fourth Vol in history to do so. He had a 2-0 record at the No. 4 singles position and was named SEC Player of the Week for the first time in his career Wednesday.

When it comes to doubles, Smith is rapidly closing at UT's all-time career record. He is just two wins from tying Bryon Talbot for the career lead in doubles. Talbot, who teamed up with fellow three-time All-America Shelby Cannon for most of his doubles victories, won 131 matches from 1985-88.

The Vols host Wake Forest on Sunday at 1 p.m. outdoors at Barksdale Stadium. Those attending the match are asked to park in lot N-15. Parking in any other lot could result in a ticket.

ITA National Team Indoor Championships
Boris Conkic/John-Patrick Smith
No. 1 Doubles Results
Feb. 18 - Conkic/Smith def. #12 Garrapiz/Pieters, Georgia, 9-8 (2)
Feb. 19 - Conkic/Smith def. Brigham/Inbar, UCLA, 8-4
Feb. 21 - Conkic/Smith def. Shabaz/Domijan, Virginia, 8-4