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Jan. 29, 2002

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Tulane University junior Jorge Lievano (Bucaramanga, Columbia) has been named the Conference USA Athlete of the Week for men's tennis, the league announced Tuesday.

Leivano posted a perfect 3-0 week for the Green Wave, ranked No. 31 in the nation. The junior opened the year with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles against David Ensignia from Southern. Playing at No. 1 once again against Oral Roberts, Lievano cruised to another victory, topping Jared Welch: 6-3, 7-5. Lievano moved to his expected position of third singles for Sunday's match against No. 42 Tulsa. In a tough battle, he upended Ryan Livesay in three sets: 7-6, 6-7, 6-3.

In doubles, Lievano was equally impressive. He won all three of his matches. He and teammate Hannu Piiroinen played at first doubles, defeating Southern's Ensignia and Benjamin Ncube, 8-3. In the win over Oral Roberts, the pair played at No. 1 again, defeating John Hixon and Matt Munson, 8-4. Livesay and Dustin Taylor from Tulsa were also no match for Lievano and Piiroinen, falling 8-6 to the Green Wave duo.

For the week, Lievano was key as the Wave won all three of its games. Tulane topped Southern, 5-2, at home. The Wave then traveled to Tulsa and defeated Oral Roberts, 6-1, and Tulsa, 5-2.

The Green Wave is back in action next Tuesday, playing at Arkansas, ranked No. 28 in the nation.

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