Baylor’s Connor Van Schalkwyk (men’s) and Colorado’s Aya El Sayed (women’s) were named the Big 12 Tennis players of the week for matches through March 9.

Van Schalkwyk was crucial in the Bears’ wins over Rice and No. 1 Ohio State. The junior paired with teammate Luc Koenig to dispatch the Owl duo of Kabeer Kapasi and Yair Sarouk, 6-1. On court three, Van Schalkwyk clinched the match for the Bears, winning in straight sets against Santiago Navarro, 7-5, 6-3. During the weekend action against the Buckeyes, Van Schalkwyk and Koenig forced the No. 18-ranked duo, Aiden Kim and Bryce Nakashima, into an unfinished match 6-6(4-5) after Ohio State earned the doubles point. Helping clinch the match from court three, Van Schalkwyk earned a ranked win over No. 29-ranked Alex Okonkwo, 6-3, 6-1.

On the women’s side, El Sayed played a crucial role in leading the Buffs to win against Kansas State and No. 28 Oklahoma State. Playing on the top court, the graduate student tied the match against the Wildcats, after dispatching Maralgoo Chogsomjav, 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-3. Against the Cowgirls, after dropping the doubles point, El Sayed battled back against OSU’s No. 28 Olivia Lincer, clinching the match in straight sets, 7-6 (4), 6-4, earning the Buffs their first ranked team win since 2024. She becomes the first Colorado tennis athlete to earn a Big 12 weekly accolade since rejoining the league in 2024-25.