COLUMBUS, Miss. -  The W men's tennis player junior Jorge Ortiz Catala has been selected as the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) South Division Player of the Week for the period of March 16-22, 2026, it has been announced. It is the second time this season that Ortiz Catala has been honored with the UMAC South's weekly honor, also winning back on February 8-15, 2026.

"I couldn't be prouder of Jorge," MUW Head Coach Hayden Embry said. "He's grown into a leader on this team and has had an outstanding season. Winning the conference Player of the Week for the second time is a huge accomplishment. And making history as the first men's player in our program to earn this honor speaks volumes about his work ethic and impact."

Ortiz Catala (Santa Cruz, Bolivia), playing No. 1 doubles and singles for the Owls, led the team to a 6-1 victory in its UMAC South opening match over Principia College last Friday, 6-1.  It was the first time that the Owls had ever topped Principia in men's tennis, as well as just the second conference win in The W's program history. It also marked the first time that MUW's Garrett Courts had ever hosted a conference match.

Ortiz Catala teamed up with Sandro Giangregario to win the first doubles match versus the Panthers by a 6-2 score.

Then in singles, Ortiz Cartala rolled to a straight-sets win over the Panthers' Jesus Sotyo Bossa, 6-4, 6-2. It was the fourth consecutive win in singles by Ortiz Catala, who improved to 5-1 overall. In singles for the season. He is also 6-2 in doubles play.

The W will next play a head-to-head match at UMAC South pre-season favorite Greenville University this Friday (March 27/3 p.m.), in Greenville, Illinois.