Valparaiso University sophomore Brandon Ancona (Belvidere, Ill. / Rockford Christian) was recognized for his excellence both on the courts and in the classroom on Wednesday as he was named to the Summit Academic All-League Team.
Ancona holds an impressive 3.87 grade point average in computer science while juggling a challenging academic load with a busy athletic schedule. He was a standout in competition during Valpo’s first season in the Summit League, winning 15 singles matches and 19 doubles matches for a team that reached a conference championship match for the fourth consecutive season. Ancona went 3-3 in Summit singles play while posting a 4-1 mark in league doubles action.
The Valpo sophomore owns a career doubles winning percentage of .674 that currently ranks fifth in program history. He inserted his name into the program record book as a freshman as well, entering the Top 10 for singles victories in a single season with 23.
Ancona was recognized as the Summit League Player of the Week on March 27 after playing a key role as the Crusaders defeated Illinois State for their first Summit League win. He came from behind to garner a victory at No. 3 singles while also taking part in the match that decided the doubles point in Valpo’s favor. That allowed Ancona to become the first weekly award winner in Valpo’s time as a Summit League affiliate member.
Ancona joins All-Summit Team honoree Chad Kissell (Latrobe, Pa. / Greater Latrobe) as Valpo’s individuals to garner postseason league accolades. The Crusaders graduate just one senior and will have the bulk of their team intact for the 2018-19 campaign.
