Texas A&M freshman Patrick Kypson was named the 2018 ITA Division I National Rookie of the Year, announced Wednesday afternoon by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Kypson became the fourth Aggie men’s tennis player to earn a national ITA year-end award in the program’s history.
Kypson earned the award after featuring on court one in every match for the Maroon & White this season, collecting 16 wins and leading the SEC with 13 wins against ranked opponents this spring. The Raleigh, N.C. native was the only freshman in the SEC to play all of his matches on the top court. The right-hander earned an impressive 8-3 record against SEC opponents, including seven wins over ranked SEC opponents.
Kypson earned his highest ranked win of the season in the SEC Tournament Championship against SEC Player of the Year and No. 2 ranked Nuno Borges of Mississippi State in straight sets. Additionally, Kypson picked up 13 doubles victories including four against ranked foes and earned the No. 52 doubles ranking alongside Rinderknech.
The freshman joined Austin Krajicek (2010 ITA Player to Watch), Ryan Newport (2003 Senior of the Year) and Shuon Madden (2000 Player to Watch) as the only Aggies to earn year-end awards. Additionally, former assistant coach, Bob McKinley, was named the 2011 Assistant Coach of the Year.
