by Scott Harvey
Assistant Sports Editor
Men’s tennis, led by third year coach Tim Fitzgerald, is springing back into action as it competed in its first two matches last week against worthy opponents Redlands and Occidental.
La Verne tennis started practice on Jan. 20 and has been diligently preparing for the 1997 season. Although the team is experienced, it returns only two players from last season, sophomore David Dang and the only senior on the squad, Frank Zappia.
“We have a young team, but I think that we will adjust in time and have a good season,” said Fitzgerald.
The Leopards traveled to Redlands on Feb. 1 for their first match, but came up empty, as they went down in straight matches against the Bulldogs.
“Our first match was tough, but our practices started in late January which made Redlands a lot more conditioned than we were,” said Fitzgerald.
The second match-up featured La Verne against Occidental at the Eagle Rock Racquet Club and proved to Fitzgerald and the team that they had work to do, as they came up short losing in straight matches, 9-0.
“The team is still rusty, but I’m sure that we will work the kinks out in time,” said Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald, a graduate of and tennis player at La Verne, is very optimistic about the 1997 season and has high hopes for the rest of the season.
“We have tough matches coming up against Whittier and Caltech, so we need to be in great condition to compete,” he said.
Besides just competing, Fitzgerald has a goal of bringing his team above .500, or in other words win more than half of its matches this season.
“I believe that we can have a winning record, but the team has got to believe that too, that’s our biggest challenge,” said Fitzgerald.
The Leopards continue their season tomorrow as they face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, who has started the season with a phenomenal record and are currently ranked in the top 20 in the nation.
“Claremont will be our toughest match of the year, we have a lot more work to do before we get to their level,” said Fitzgerald
La Verne will also compete next Saturday against Pomona-Pitzer and will travel to Whittier on Feb. 21.
