Tennis Star!

Good article from the WIU website about Natalie's brother Patrick. Good thing she taught him how to play tennis. I believe she takes full credit for his success.... :-)

ELMHURST, Ill. – Western Illinois sophomore Patrick Hammers (Peru/LaSalle-Peru) has been named as The Summit League Men's Tennis "Player of the Week" after helping the Fighting Leathernecks to a 3-0 start in league play.

Hammers finished last week's action with a record of 4-0 while playing at No. 3 singles and was 2-1 with fellow Leatherneck Ben Yue at No. 3 doubles.

He helped the Leathernecks secure wins over Centenary, IPFW and South Dakota State over the weekend. Hammers dropped just one set in four matches last week, including a non-league match at Bradley.

Western Illinois currently sits along atop The Summit League standings and is off to its best start in league play since the 2008 season, when the Leathernecks finished a perfect 6-0 and won the league's regular-season title.

Hammers is currently riding a five-match winning streak at No. 3 singles and has won four of his last five doubles matches while playing at No. 3 with Yue.

His performance over the weekend improved his overall record to 6-11 in singles and 9-7 in doubles play. The "Player of the Week" honors mark the second time that Hammers has won the award in his two seasons at Western.