Men drop opener to Sagehens, 7-0

by Antonette Manabat
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne men's tennis team played its first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game Friday against high-ranking Pomona-Pitzer.

The Leopards struggled but fought without two key players, as they lost to the Sagehens, 7-0.

ULV had to start its season without top seed, junior Josh Horwitz, who is injured with a sprained ankle.

"Josh is being very optimistic. He wanted to play today, but it will probably be another week; we want him to be 100 percent," said head coach Steve Bergovoy.

Also missing was sophomore Todd Hurst, who will miss the beginning of the season due to his prior commitment to the ULV men's basketball team.

"It is unfortunate that we have to start off the season without Josh and Todd, but it's not keeping us down, we're going to make up for them," said junior Chad Rodriquez.

Both are not only expected back on the court but are also expected contribute to the Leopards' success this season.

With Hurst and Horwitz out of the line-up, Rodriquez moved up to No. 1 singles.

Rodriquez, who is usually teamed up with Horwitz as the No. 1 doubles pairing, played with junior Jason Cortez.

"It wasn't hard playing with Jason. He pumps me up, and we know each other as well as each other's game," Rodriquez said.

As every doubles team was quickly defeated by the Sagehens, Rodriquez and Cortez held on strong, but eventually lost, 8-5.

Still, the Leopards held on to their hope.

"We did a lot better than I expected," Cortez said. "It was a close score, and they just outplayed us on key points. It could've gone either way."

Last season Pomona-Pitzer finished No. 4 in SCIAC, and ULV was No. 5. Pomona was also ranked 23rd in the nation last year, Bergovoy said.

ULV has only played two matches this year: Azusa Pacific University and Pomona-Pitzer.

In both, the Leopards came out winless, but Bergovoy still thinks positively.

"Both teams have taught us a lesson. We are learning, and we are right on schedule," Bergovoy said.

The team has been in one of the nation's most competitive conferences, and this year is no exception.

Bergovoy hopes to finish No. 5 or better, but he is looking for more than standings from his team this season.

"I'm looking more for players to find themselves in the game and improve as individuals. I'm also looking forward to some upsets," Bergovoy said.

"We're a young team, and we're doing great; we only have one senior, so every game is a learning experience," Horwitz said.

The next match for the Leopards is at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Blickenstaff Tennis Pavilion against Occidental College.