May 7, 2009

DEKALB, Ill. - Nine days after receiving a second-team All-Mid-American Conference nod, junior men's tennis player Javier Bernabe chalked up another honor from the league office Thursday, as he was named to the Academic All-MAC team for the second-consecutive year.

"I'm extremely proud of Javier, because has done a tremendous job balancing the demands of both academics and athletics over the past three years," said NIU head coach Gajdzik. "What he meant to our team this season is tough to put into words. He went from being a player that was on the outside of our lineup at the beginning of the season, to being named our MVP and becoming an all-conference player.

"I don't know that I've been around a guy that has endured so many different things. It's a great story, and Javier is deserving of all of the recognition he has received in the past couple of weeks."

Bernabe boasts a 3.44 cumulative grade-point-average in NIU's business school. He enjoyed a breakout season in the first year under the tutelage of Gajdzik. Bernabe tallied a team-high 11 singles wins (11-7), spending time between the second-through-sixth singles flights. He went 6-4 in his final 10 singles matches, including four-straight before dropping a straight-set decision in the MAC semifinals.

The Segovia, Spain, native also enjoyed a four-match winning streak between Feb. 7 and Feb. 21, and during MAC play, posted wins over Buffalo, Ball State and Chicago State. Bernabe was also named to the Academic All-MAC team last season.

The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.