JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – EKU's Bulnes and North Florida's Barendse have been named this week's Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Tennis Player of the Week, announced Tuesday by the league office.
Fernando Bulnes recorded a perfect 3-0 weekend with two wins againts No. 14 Illinois and Bellarmine. Against Bellarmine, Bulnes defeated his opponent by a score of 6-2,6-1. Against No. 14 Illinois, he claimed the Colonels only two points of the match.
Laurie Barendse posted an undefeated 2-0 record in singles and 2-0 mark in doubles this week (4-0 overall), and led the way for North Florida remaining the only undefeated team in Division I Women's Tennis (21-0). Barendse helped clinch the doubles point at FGCU with a 6-3 win at the one line. Barendse turned in a two-set victory at one against FGCU, 6-0, 7-5, to give North Florida a 2-1 advantage in the match. Barendse opened doubles action against South Alabama with a dominant win at the one line, 6-2. Barendse carried her momentum into singles action in come-from-behind fashion.
Player of the Week
Fernando Bulnes, EKU
Other Nominees: Henrique Ushizima, Lipscomb; Lachlan Brain, North Alabama; Andreas Scott, North Florida
Laurie Barendse, North Florida
Other Nominees: Sophia Baranov, Austin Peay; Masah Fedenko, EKU; Sabrina Jaramillo, FGCU; Mariia Dolzhenko, Lipscomb; Mathilde Delaney, North Alabama.
2026 Season Award Winners
Jan. 13 | Player: Pablo Paternostro, FGCU
Jan. 20 | Player: Marek Nano, EKU
Jan. 27 | Player: Fernando Bulnes, EKU
Feb. 3 | Player: Facundo Perlov, Lipscomb
Feb. 10 | Player: Youssef Labbene, North Florida
Feb. 17 | Player: Alberto Altur, North Alabama
March 3 | Player: Tanner Povey, FGCU
March 11| Player: Christian Kuehne, Stetson
March 17| Player: Izan Orgiles, North Alabama
March 24| Men's Player: Andreas Scott, North Florida;
Women's Player: Nora Svensson, FGCU
March 30| Men's Player: Alberto Altur, North Alabama;
Women's Player: Isabel Oliveria, North Florida
April 7
| Men's Player: Fernando Bulnes, EKU;
Women's Player: Laurie Barendse, North Florida