TEMPE, Ariz. — Ricard Novell was named the Southeast Region's Most Improved Player while the men's tennis team earned the Community Service Award from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) earlier this month.

Novell put together an outstanding season for the Crusaders, finishing 18-4 over the season in singles play that included an 7-2 mark in Conference Carolinas play. He was a first-team all-conference selection this season and helped Belmont Abbey win the conference tournament title for the fourth straight year.

The community service award honors a team that gives back to their campus and their community through tennis and non-tennis pathways. It is the third straight year that the Crusaders have earned the award.

The full regional award winners can be found here.