HCAC honors not enough for Hamm

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By James Hornett, March 11, 2010

Franklin’s other HCAC players were graduate Jace Redman and senior captain this season Nate Kelly as Honorable Mention.

 

“It is an honor to be recognized as one of the top players in our conference along with the other along with the other great players to receive the honor,” said Hamm.

 

Last season, Hamm went undefeated at No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles in the conference. Transylvania University’s Will Palmer – the 2009 HCAC MVP and HCAC Freshman of the Year –also went undefeated in singles, but lost one doubles match.

 

Hamm was 7-0 at No. 1 singles and 7-0 at No. 2 doubles, while Palmer was 6-0 at No. 1 singles and 5-1 at No. 1 doubles. The two never played each other, though.

 

“It has been the second season where Transylvania has not played their No. 1 against me,” Hamm said.

 

Head coach Rusty Hughes believes Hamm was overlooked last season.

 

“The coaches usually believe the No. 1 singles player from Transylvania should win the award because they have been the top team for the past seven years,” Hughes said. “Matt is more focused on team goals and not himself.”

 

Hamm wants to be MVP as many believe he should have been last year.

 

“I would like to go undefeated again this year and hopefully win the MVP award this year, but my main goal is for our team to do its best in conference this year,” he said. “I’m looking forward to actually playing Transy’s No. 1 this year.”

 

The Grizzlies take the court twice on Saturday as they play the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology at 9 a.m. Anderson University at 3 p.m. at the University of Indianapolis.