Averett University Athletics Hall of Fame
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Veli-Pekka "Vellu" Antila, who was a member of the men's tennis team from 1999-2000 and 2002-2003, was inducted into the Averett University Athletics Hall of Fame on Aug. 6, 2011, during an induction ceremony in Helsinki, Finland.
Antila was a four-time Division III ITA All-American (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003) and a four-time Conference Player of the Year (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003). He helped Averett win three conference championships (1999, 2000, 2003) and three NCAA team appearances (1999, 2000, 2002). Antila was a Rolex National Small College Tennis Singles Champion.
As a freshman, Antila was the 1999 conference rookie of the year and made the 1999 All-Conference First Team Singles (No. 1 seed) and All-Conference Second Team Doubles (No. 1 seed). In 2000, he was a first team all-conference performer at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles.
Antila missed the 2001 season, but returned in 2002 to earn first team all-conference doubles (No. 1 seed) and second team all-conference singles (No. 1) honors. His senior season, he was a first team all-conference performer at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles.
He was later selected as one of Averett's representatives on the USA South Conference's 50th anniversary men's tennis team in 2014.
Gallery: (8/6/2011) HOF: Veli-Pekka Antila
