AUBURN, Ala. – Nicholas Heng has been named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Wednesday. The Auburn redshirt freshman received the nod after posting two pivotal singles wins over the weekend that helped the Tigers upset No. 25 Florida and No. 16 South Carolina.
After coasting to a quick first set win on Friday, Heng struggled early in his second set against No. 99 Kevin Edengren of Florida. The Madison, Alabama native came back from trailing 5-3 to win his next four consecutive games over Edengren for his second ranked singles victory of the season.
Heng's 6-4, 7-5 win also clinched the team victory for the Tigers and began a celebration with his teammates on court five. The team win marked the program's first win over the Gators since 2013.
Thrill of victory 🏆#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/wyNWqqIt7F
— Auburn Men's Tennis (@AuburnMTennis) March 16, 2024
After South Carolina tied the match at one on Sunday against Auburn, the redshirt freshman helped the Tigers respond by retaking the lead with a win on court five. Heng came back from a 3-2 deficit to claim the opening set against Sean Daryabeigi.
Leading the second set 3-2, Heng then caught fire and won the next three games in a row to earn a 6-4, 6-2 victory and give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. Auburn would later upset the Gamecocks by a 4-1 score.
Heng, the first Auburn player to receive SEC honors this season, currently holds a 13-8 overall singles record with a 12-4 singles record in dual matches.
Up next, Auburn will be back on the road to face Vanderbilt on Friday at 4 p.m. CT in Nashville.