SportsTennis

Horwitz helps historical LV match

Jason Cortez prepares to return the ball to Occidental's No. 1 doubles team. Cortez and his doubles partner, Chad Rodriguez, overcame a deficit to win the match, 8-6. ULV lost the rest of its doubles matches, but came back in the singles to win, 4-3. / photo by Adam Omernik
Jason Cortez prepares to return the ball to Occidental’s No. 1 doubles team. Cortez and his doubles partner, Chad Rodriguez, overcame a deficit to win the match, 8-6. ULV lost the rest of its doubles matches, but came back in the singles to win, 4-3. / photo by Adam Omernik

by Antonette Manabat
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne men’s tennis team made history Saturday as it defeated Occidental College, 4-3.

ULV started off shaky by receiving no points after its doubles team played. The Leopards have lost three out of four matches, with only their No. 1 doubles team winning.

But instead of submitting to defeat, head coach Steve Bergovoy used it as motivation and challenged his team.

“After doubles played, I told them that never in the history of La Verne has the men’s tennis team lost the doubles points to come back and win,” Bergovoy said. “It’s rare for any team to do that.”

The Leopards went out onto their court knowing that the odds were against them, and the pressure was on, but they pulled through with individual as well as team efforts.

“Everyone had to play their best tennis; a lot of pressure was put on the players,” Bergovoy said.

Individuals stood out and pulled through for their team. Junior Chad Rodriguez played at the No. 1 singles position and defeated his opponent by a score of 6-2, 6-1.

“We definitely didn’t lose hope. We knew that, if we won, it would be a boost for us and would give us the feeling that we would be able to pull off anything,” Rodriguez said.

Junior Jason Cortez played No. 3 singles and played the match of his career, winning by a score of 6-0, 6-1.

“I felt like I couldn’t miss today,” Cortez said.

“Jason played the best match of his career; he is finally realizing his potential,” Bergovoy said. “He was almost flawless.”

Sophomore Sundeep Samuel also pulled out a victory in his singles match, getting the third win for ULV. It was tied 3-3, with only one singles match left.

Junior Josh Horwitz, who has been out with a sprained ankle, played for the first time this season, at No. 2 singles.

The intensity and pressure of the match was felt by players, coaches and all who were watching. Each play counted as both Horwitz and his opponent disputed almost every “close-call.”

It was a long match, but when the last play was to Horwitz’ favor, he threw his racquet on the ground as his teammates ran out to congratulate him.

“It felt great to be back; that game took a lot out of me,” Horwitz said.

With his teammates cheering in the background, Horwitz won his match with a score of 2-6, 6-1 and 6-4.

“Everybody supported each other. It really helps when you hear your teammates cheer for you from three courts down,” Rodriquez said.

“The chemistry in this team is unbelievable; it’s great to hear them cheer from court to court,” Bergovoy said. “That type of camaraderie is new to this program.”

Bergovoy is looking forward to big things from his players as they improve and reach another level each game.

The Leopards’ next game is at 3 p.m. today in Pasadena against Caltech.

Antonette Manabat, junior, is dressing as a flapper for Halloween. Manabat will be in her costume on Friday during the communications department's LVTV shoot of "Halloween Live," an interactive television show that airs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Channel 3. / photo by Sylvia Castellanos
Antonette Manabat
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