March 4, 2009

Macon, Ga. - Joao Paoliello helped the Belmont Bruins to a win last week with victories in both doubles and singles play. On Wednesday, the junior earned the first Player of the Week honor of his career the conference office announced. It’s the first time since 2004 that a Belmont tennis player has been chosen for the weekly award.

Paoliello, a Londrina, Brazil native, helped the Bruins to their lone win of the week, a 4-3 road victory over former conference rival Samford last Saturday. He beat Brian Dushock at the #1 position 6-2, 6-1. In doubles, Joao and partner Rodrigo Amaral beat Carl Abalos and Oliver Reynolds 8-2.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.