DALLAS – Liberty’s Thando Longwe-Smit and Marina Davtyan started the 2023 fall tennis season being named Conference USA Tennis Athletes of the Month, the league announced Tuesday. The monthly award is presented by Blenders Eyewear. 
 
CUSA Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Month – Thando Longwe-Smit, Liberty, Sr., Cape Town, South Africa
Longwe-Smit was perfect over the first month of fall action as he posted a 6-0 performance at the Penn Invitational, playing against Navy, Yale and Temple. The senior from Cape Town, South Africa, collected a 3-0 singles record without dropping a set and a 3-0 doubles record with partner Rafael Marques Da Silva. Liberty is set to host the ITA Atlantic Regional beginning Wednesday, October 11.
 
CUSA Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Month – Marina Davtyan, Liberty, Sr., Yerevan, Armenia
Davtyan went undefeated as she held up a 6-0 stint at the Tribe (William & Mary) Invitational. The senior went 3-0 in singles, not dropping a single set. She won her draw in the final match with William & Mary’s Francesca Davis (7-5, 7-5). The Yerevan, Armenia, native picked up a 3-0 doubles record with her partner Daniella O’Neill. The duo won their draw, defeating two Richmond teams along the way.
 
2023 CUSA Men’s Tennis Athletes of the Month
Sept.     Thando Longwe-Smit, Liberty
 
2023 CUSA Women’s Tennis Athletes of the Month
Sept.     Marina Davtyan, Liberty