SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Illinois State landed a pair of Redbirds on the 2021 Summit League Academic All-League Team, as Melker Isaksson and Aleksa Lazarevic earned spots on the squad voted on by a panel of Faculty Athletic Representatives and Sports Information Directors from the league's member institutions.
Student-athletes were chosen for the honor based on their academic and athletic performances this past season. To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team's competitions.
Isaksson, an applied science and technology major who carries a perfect 4.0 GPA, went 5-9 in doubles action for the Redbirds, including a 3-1 record at the No. 3 spot with teammate Diego Le Gal Perez. The Lidkoping, Sweden, native won his final four doubles matches of the season and was named the Summit League men's tennis athlete of the week on Feb. 9, after picking up doubles and singles wins against UIC for the Redbirds.
Lazarevic, a finance major with a 3.89 GPA, was 3-5 overall in singles, playing mostly at the No. 5 spot for the Redbirds in 2021. The Sabac, Serbia, native was one of the most consistent doubles players for the 'Birds and finished the year 6-7 overall in doubles action, playing mostly with teammate Pol Botifoll Rius at the No. 2 spot. The duo combined to win three of their last four doubles matches of the year to end the season on a high note.
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