SLTA proud of exploits of tennis duo

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Aslina Chua An Ping

Aslina Chua An Ping

Ariez Elyaas Deen Heshaam

Ariez Elyaas Deen Heshaam

KUCHING: Sarawak tennis players who are studying in the US on tennis scholarships have continued to carry the good name of the state and the country. The latest is Sukma women’s singles gold medallist Aslina Chua An Ping at Michigan State University (MSU). She maintained a 3.86 grade point average in Physiology and has earned Dean’s List every semester she has been at MSU.

The Kuching lass’ accomplishments carried onto the tennis court where she finished with the team’s second most wins during the Fall 2015 season.

The Honors College member’s other achievements at MSU included Varsity Letter Winner – Tennis in 2014, Outreach Student Athlete of the Month, Student Athlete of the Month. She was also involved in leadership and community outreach programmes such as Jr Spartan Tailgate, HAWK Foundation SAFE Halloween, Kids Repair Programme and Todd Martin Tennis Leadership Group.

Meanwhile, former Sukma and national player Ariez Elyaas Deen Heshaam is also doing well at the University of the Cumberlands (UC).

He earned two weekly MSC Award of the Season as a member of the UC tennis team.

The team continued their successful spring season recently as they hosted Campbellsville University on their final meet on the season.

After a win against Campbellsville, UC moved to 11-6 overall this season and 4-2 in the Mid-South Conference (MSC).

Ariez went a perfect 4-0 on the week, earning singles and doubles wins against Lincoln Memorial University and MSC rival Campbellsville.

He picked up a win over Joshua Coulthard 6-2, 6-3 and also teamed up with Daniel Fraser in the doubles to defeat Coulthard and Moritz Hoerner 8-4.

As the first singles player, Ariez beat Vladyslav Ladygin 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 and teamed with Fraser for a 8-4 victory over Baulch and Ladygin.

These wins improved his record to 10-6 in the singles and 13-3 in the doubles.

Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) president Dato Patrick Liew said the SLTA was proud of the duo’s achievements.

“Quite a number of tennis players from the state who are furthering their studies overseas especially in the US have been very enthusiastic and excelled not only in playing tennis but also in their studies.

“Some of them have earned master degrees and PhD and they include players like Liew Meang, Michelle Liew, Liew Sheau Tsan, Wena Tsan and her sister Irene Tsan, Kelvin Lee, Eileen Lee, Keng Pei Yin, Chong Zhia Hwa and Oscar Chang,” added Liew.

“We will continue to help Sukma players to secure tennis scholarships in the US and the next player in line is Alvin Teng Wee Jie who is currently training in the US with Rohaizat Achop Borhan Janang and Low Zhe Han with coach Doru Morariu,” said Liew.

The trio are members of the state Sukma XVIII tennis team.