TEMPE, AZ. (May 27, 2026) – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released their Division II National awards earlier this week. Both captain
Richard Stoiberer and first year phenom
Lawson Prather earned nationwide praise, adding on from their South Region honors.
Back on May 11th, Stoiberer and Prather received recognition as representatives for the South Region. Both men were then set apart from eight region winners to take home national honors. Stoiberer is the second recipient in program history for the Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership & Sportsmanship award. Named for one of the most impactful tennis players of all time, the award is presented to a student-athlete that "exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements," according to
ITA. Stoiberer certainly did that! An All-American on the court and an ITA scholar in the classroom, the Salzburg native left his mark on the program. Now, he joins former Tar Charlie Putrino III as the only members of the men's tennis team to be selected.
After an illustrious career, head coach
Jay Friedman remarked about the Tars captain explaining, "This one means a lot! As the first recruit to sign with this program and as a guy who really saw the vision and then through his maturity and leadership took it to a height no one could have foreseen it means a ton that he is recognized for it."
"Vision is a tough thing, Friedman added. "Everyone wants to be a visionary but to actually weather the turbulence of putting it in place and seeing it through that takes a lot of effort. And to do it with the class and professionalism day after day when it worked and when it was being questioned that's unique."
And to sum it up, the Tars leader shared, "Richie is one of those once in a career type guys and to see him join the ranks and keep the torch lit on our leadership development is so gratifying."
Lawson Prather was named National Rookie of the Year. Prather officially ended his first year as the sixth ranked singles player in the nation, collecting 14 wins from the top line and three top ten victories. Prather joins Robin Marchione as the only other Tar to take home ITA's National Rookie of the Year, padding his accolades after collecting the SSC Freshman of the Year award as well.
Friedman had this to say about the first year man out of Tulsa, "This guy is so much fun to work with. Ready to work, eager to learn, and overall just always trying to do the right thing."
Friedman continued, "He really stepped up and showed something this year that got everyone in Men's tennis alumni Tar nation excited to watch. The future is bright and I very much look forward to seeing how his game adapts and builds into next year."
Both men laid the foundation for things to come in Winter Park. Stay tuned as the team's journey is just beginning.
Fellow ITA National award winners can be found
here. Follow up with
Rollinssports.com for more exciting tennis updates soon.
