WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University men's tennis freshman Harvey Bhalla (Buckinghamshire, England/Dr. Challoner's) recently earned All-Northeast Conference honors for his solid performances throughout his first season at MU, conference officials announced Wednesday afternoon. The rookie standout earned All-NEC First-Team honors in fourth singles after finishing the year 16-7 in singles action and 11-7 in doubles play.

Playing the majority of the season at fourth singles and second doubles, Bhalla led the Hawks in both singles and doubles records. Bhalla finished his first year sixth in the conference in overall singles wins while pacing the field in fourth singles and finishing third in third singles.

Bhalla also teamed up with doubles partners David Sherwood (Little Egg Harbor, N.J./Pinelands) and Oliver Grimbly (Johannesburg, South Africa/Crawford College) at second doubles producing an 8-5 record with Sherwood and 3-2 record with Grimbly.

With the award, Head Coach Mickey Cook's teams have now had a freshman earn All-NEC First-Team honors for the second straight year with sophomore Laurence Heads (Stockton-on-Tees, England/Repton School) earning the honor at fourth singles last season. Heads also earned Rookie of the Year honors last year as well.

The Hawks finished the season at the NEC Championships a few weekends ago when they fell to top-seeded Sacred Heart, 4-0, in the semifinals. The future looks bright for the men's tennis team as they return their whole team next year including newly minted All-NEC honoree, Bhalla.