SportsTennis

Leopard duo strengthens LV squad

Chad Rodriguez of the University of La Verne lost his singles match in two sets (6-4, 6-2) against David Frankel of Pomona-Pitzer. ULV’s lead doubles team, comprised of Rodriguez and Jason Cortez, lost its match, 8-6, against Frankel and J.R. Hall. The Leopards lost the overall match, 7-0, against the Sagehens, who are ranked No. 25 in the nation. / photo by Adam Omernik
Chad Rodriguez of the University of La Verne lost his singles match in two sets (6-4, 6-2) against David Frankel of Pomona-Pitzer. ULV’s lead doubles team, comprised of Rodriguez and Jason Cortez, lost its match, 8-6, against Frankel and J.R. Hall. The Leopards lost the overall match, 7-0, against the Sagehens, who are ranked No. 25 in the nation. / photo by Adam Omernik

by Jamie Mahoney
Staff Writer

The men’s tennis team is off to a rocky start with a 1-3 record despite big early season wins in doubles and singles by senior co captains Jason Cortez and Chad Rodriguez.

The team suffered its third loss of the season Saturday at the Nancy Blickenstaff Pavilion to the nationally-ranked Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer, 7-0.

The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is one of the strongest conferences in the nation with four of the eight teams ranked nationally in the top 25.

Head coach Steve Bergovoy said the team has one of the toughest schedules in years.

The team has eight players on the line-up, six returners and two newcomers. “The team is looking strong at the top but needs work in the middle and bottom,” Bergovoy said.

Bergovoy is working hard to teach the players strategy and tactics. He is also using a unique formation for doubles known as the “I formation” that no other school uses. He learned this technique when he was working with Harry Hopman, a Davis Cup Championship coach.

Cortez and Rodriguez were both disappointed with their losses to Pomona-Pitzer.

“I expected to win and thought it would be closer,” Cortez said.

Cortez, who plays in the number two position, said competition is much tougher at that level.

“You play better players,” Cortez said.

Saturday’s match gave the Leopards a better idea of what to expect from the competition for the rest of the season. Pomona-Pitzer is ranked No. 25 nationally along with two other SCIAC teams that are ranked in the top 10 and another in the top 12.

The competition has been tough but will only get tougher.

“Jason and Chad have proven themselves. They have proven they can beat top teams in the U.S.,” Bergovoy said.

Cortez and Rodriguez, who both compete in doubles and singles, prefer to play doubles.

“We compliment each other well and know where each other are going. We keep each other relaxed,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez defeated the No. 1 singles player in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics from Alliant International University two weeks ago.

“It was an eye opener as to what I can do. It made me finally believe in the potential we have,” Rodriguez said.

Cortez and Rodriguez are looking to win the rest of their doubles matches this season. Both are expecting to make All-SCIAC.

Bergovoy, Cortez and Rodriguez all have expectations for the team to strive towards for the rest of the season. They are looking for each of the players to give it their best no matter what.

Bergovoy believes it will be difficult to finish at the top of the conference but hopes to finish in the middle of the pack.

The Leopards’ next match is against Occidental College at 2 p.m. today in Los Angeles.

Jamie Mahoney
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