Hurst snags tennis' lone victory vs. Sagehens

by Nate Silva
Staff Writer

Though the outcome of the team match had already been determined, ULV freshman tennis player Todd Hurst battled his opponent long after his teammates were defeated. Hurst's determination and the vocal support of his teammates would not be in vain, as he would come away with the team's lone single's victory in Saturday's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match-up against Pomona-Pitzer.

Throughout the course of the three hour play at that Nancy Blickenstaff Tennis Pavilion, the Leopards came away with just one singles victory and one doubles win. Hurst and sophomore Jason Cortez made up ULV's winning pair.

Cortez, unlike his teammate, was unable to carry his momentum into his singles competition as he dropped two straight sets, 4-6, 1-6. Head coach Steve Bergovoy called this match a "tough loss" for Cortez, but was very satisfied with the Chino native's play. This theme and feeling was prevalent as Bergovoy expressed pleasure with his team's performance.

"The team rose to the occasion today," Bergovoy said. "Even this loss will build our momentum going into SCIAC."

The SCIAC championships will be hosted by the Claremont Colleges this weekend. The ULV team faces an uphill battle in what Bergovoy recognizes as one of the toughest conferences in the nation.

"We definitely played better tennis this year, but the conference is much deeper," explained Bergovoy.

The team is peaking at an excellent time in the season and fans in attendance Saturday agreed that the lopsided 1-6 singles score was not indicative of the level of play that the Leopards rose to. Bergovoy called Josh Horwitz' performance "the match of his career," and was "extremely satisfied" with the team's play.

As the battles on other courts were coming to an end, Hurst was pacing himself for victory. Before anyone had taken notice, Hurst edged out Sagehen, Nate Pealer in a first set tiebreaker 7-4.

A crowd of fans and teammates soon gathered around the center courts to witness an intense battle that would yield the same result.

"I was nervousI tensed up but I came back and won," said Hurst.

Another 6-6 set would pit the two in their second race in two sets.

Rowdy Pomona-Pitzer fans cheered on their teammate, much to the contrary of usual tennis etiquette. Hurst's teammate and family responded, with every point that the freshman would come away with.

"My teammates' encouragement gave me the desire to will that win away from him," Hurst said following his match.

Silencing the visiting crowd Hurst won the set on a Pomona-Pitzer unforced error ending the match and the day's play with a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4) triumph.

"I was a little more consistent than he was, I was hitting my serve really well," said Hurst.

His coach feels the same way. "He's really been coming on strong late in the season, he definitely contributed today, winning both doubles and singles," Bergovoy said.

ULV will look to keep its momentum as another showdown with the Sagehens is possible in the SCIAC championships this weekend. The Leopards must first get past their anticipated first round opponents, the Regals of Cal Lutheran.