by Gianina Lomedico
Staff Writer
The clear California day turned out nice for the Hardin Simmons men’s tennis team from Texas as they defeated University of La Verne 0-7 on Monday.
The match enabled the ULV team to gain more experience for Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).
ULV changed its regular lineup due to one of the freshman standouts, Josh Horwitz injuring his wrist during last Saturday’s match against Claremont.
Chad Rodriguez, the other freshman standout, played in Horwitz’s No. 1 single place with the match score of (4-6) (1-6).
Continuing down the singles was freshman Jason Cortez with (4-6) (0-6), senior Kiran Asola (3-6)(0-6), junior Jarrod Hesler (6-4) (2-6) (4-6), junior Harold Arellano (0-6) (0-6) and sophomore Son Nguyen (1-6) (1-6). Sophomore Hugo Valencia played an exhibition match for the No. 7 seat with a score (0-8) (0-8).
Double matches were No. 1 seat Rodriguez and Cortez that scored (2-8), No. 2 seat Asola and Hesler (6-8) and No. 3 seat Nguyen and Arrellano (3-8).
Senior Asola commented on his double match, which was the tightest one. “We didn’t play our original game as we used to play. We got a winning chance and we lost it,” said Asola.
Other players also commented on their game. “I played better than I usually did. But, I still made some unforced errors,” said Rodriguez. “They were a tough and pretty good team.”
Cortez explained about his double match. “It was fun and it was the first time I played doubles. They were more experienced and relaxed,” he said.
Head coach Steve Bergovoy is in his first season of coaching the men’s team.
When asked how the team performed, Bergovoy said “Overall, very well. Hardin Simmons was very experienced. Our team lacked the intensity of putting points back to back.”
Last season ULV had a record of (2-17). This season the team is (3-6) overall and (3-3) in conference.
“The team is very good this year. I spoke to the Athletic Director [Jim Paschal] and he said the team is the best we have had in the school’s history since the 70’s,” said Bergovoy.
Freshmen Rodriguez and Horwitz have contributed a great deal to the season and are top ranked doubles players in the 18-year-old division.
Rodriguez and Horwitz are captains of the team and are also 4-0 in conference.
Bergovoy commented that the expectations for the season are to “probably place as high as fourth. In order to do that we need to beat Occidental. It will definitely be a step in the right direction. We are looking for a winning season,” he said.
Bergovoy also added that, “My goals the next three years are to contend with the conference, recruiting players like Josh and Chad, and players qualifying for nationals in five years.
“I feel that we have earned the respect from Redlands, Claremont and Pomona-Pitzer,” said Bergovoy. “The whole team in general is making a mark and we are on our way.”
When asked to describe this year’s team, Valencia said “We are well put together and focused as an individual and as a team member. This year we have a real coach and we are more disciplined and responsible. Last year it was not a structured team and everybody did what they wanted.”
On Wednesday, the ULV men’s tennis team beat Cal Lutheran (6-1). ULV won five of its single matches and two of its doubles.
“The match was a big win for us. It was the first time we beat them in 30 years,” said Bergovoy.
“The team is really excited of the high level of play from all players and they are rallying around the captains. The team chemistry and unity are good,” said Bergovoy. “The morale is high and the skill level is noticeably higher throughout the line.”
As for this being the first season of coaching the team, Bergovoy said he is truly “loving it here.”
He coached the women’s team last season. Before coming to ULV, Bergovoy coached Pete Sampras and other pro players.
He explained that “Tennis has never been a job to me. It is something I absolutely love. It is not a real test. It is a labor of love.”
