Men's tennis tries to rebound from last season
Campus Times
February 13, 1998
High hopes and expectations were not met on Friday as the University
of La Verne men's tennis team's match was cancelled due to rain. Friday's
match in Pasadena against Caltech was to serve as an opener for the Southern
California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).
Tim Fitzgerald, in his fourth season as ULV head coach, is eager to
see his team perform after a rough and disappointing season last year with
an overall record of 0-16, including 0-10 in SCIAC.
"We are a lot stronger than last years club and have more depth,"
Fitzgerald said, "but that is about all I can say. I have to wait and
see when the season progresses to tell how good we are."
Top returners include junior David Dang and senior Sergio Velazquez,
who took a season off last year due to a busy and tedious class schedule.
Velazquez also adds that his intention of not playing was due to the
fact that he did not want to waste his final year of eligibility. NCAA regulations
restricts players from playing more than four years.
"I am [on] one of them five year plans," Velazquez said while
laughing.
Fitzgerald also looks to senior French exchange student Xavier Lattaignant
for a significant contribution to the team.
"I am confident that things will be different from last year. I
feel that the entire team is talented and should have some success,"
said Lattaignant.
Other key players are seniors Frank Zappia, Aung Wun and junior Scott
Harvey.
"We have been practicing hard for the past month and are hopeful
that we can make a good showing in league, but it will be tough," said
sophomore Chris Perez. "Everyone is good in this conference and Redlands
[is] the best."
Last year, Redlands captured the SCIAC championship and this year they
will be entering the season as the team to beat since they are favored in
winning another consecutive title.
According to Fitzgerald, last Friday's match was postponed and has been
rescheduled for Wednesday Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. at Caltech.
The match was to be a test for the team to exercise their abilities
before today's conference opener as the squad will be traveling to Claremont
to battle the Stags at 2 p.m.
