BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – Paulo Gutierrez of the West Virginia State University men's tennis team earned Second Team All-Mountain East Conference honors when the awards were announced on Friday afternoon.

The sophomore standout earned All-MEC recognition for the first time in his career. He was recognized after holding down the No. 1 singles position for State and competing at No. 1 doubles alongside partner Axel Dormann throughout the season. 

Gutierrez's biggest result of the year was against Charleston's top player at No. 1 singles. He defeated UC's John Giesberts by winning a tiebreaker in the second set, 7-5, before persevering in the third set, 11-9. Gutierrez also combined with Dormann for an impressive 7-5 record at No. 1 doubles.


Mountain East Conference Men's Tennis
2023 Award Winners
Player of the Year: Kihiro Karasawa, West Virginia Wesleyan
Freshman of the Year: Vicente Garcia, Charleston
Coach of the Year: Terry Deremer, Fairmont State

First Team All-MEC
Elia Barozzi, Fairmont State
Moritz Erpel, West Liberty
Vicente Garcia, Charleston
John Giesberts, Charleston
Kihiro Karasawa, West Virginia Wesleyan
Emanuel Mallya, West Virginia Wesleyan
Jowan Rawson, Charleston
Viktor Yanev, Davis & Elkins

Second Team All-MEC
Cole Alcala, Frostburg State
Nevio Dux, West Liberty
Paulo Gutierrez, West Virginia State
Mohamed Moens, Fairmont State
Alexandre Pages, Fairmont State
Seena Saadevandi, Fairmont State
Camillo Salvi, West Virginia Wesleyan
Kan Watanbe, Fairmont State