RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) announced the men's tennis All-WAC awards Wednesday ahead of the conference tournament and junior Emilien Burnel and sophomore Borna Devald of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's (UTRGV) Vaqueros men's tennis team were recognized by the conference's head coaches. 
 
Burnel was voted to the All-WAC Singles First Team. He went 2-3 in conference play in the No. 1 flight, competing well against the top players in the conference. Burnel went 12-12 throughout the spring season and 16-14 overall in singles in his first season at UTRGV, playing 22 matches in the top flight. 
 
Burnel and Devald were named to the All-WAC Doubles Second Team. The dynamic duo went 3-2 in conference play holding down the top spot in the doubles lineup. They closed the conference season on a three-match winning streak, battling for a 7-6 (7:4) win in a heavyweight match against Abilene Christian, then only dropping three games in their final two wins combined. Burnel/Devald are 12-5 overall in the 2022-23 season with eight wins in the No. 1 spot. 
 
"I am beyond happy for Emi and Borna to receive this recognition," UTRGV head coach Nathan Robinson said. "We know the talent and work ethic that they have and we're glad they are receiving this recognition from the conference. They are helping to push this program forward and we know this is just the beginning for them." 
 
#5 UTRGV opens the WAC Tournament Thursday at 3 p.m. against #4 Seattle U at the Arlington Tennis Center. 

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