By Dave Hunter (dhunter)

Tennis Blazers win 4th straight match.....

            Altamonte Springs, Fla., Mar. 4 – In a battle of nicknames with similar definitions, the Vincennes University Trailblazers had the first and last word against the LaSalle Explorers on Tuesday.

            The Trailblazer tennis team (5-2) won their fourth straight match, third on their current Florida road trip, 6-1, over the Philadelphia, Pa., NCAA Division I school.

            “I didn’t know what to expect after two exceptionally intense matches yesterday,” Vincennes coach Ron Albers said. “One of the reasons we took this trip is to get ready down the road at the national tournament when you have to perform back to back.”

            VU began the match winning all three doubles flights, 8-6.

            “We were sore and fatigued,” Albers said. “We had a slow start in doubles and it could have gone either way against a solid team like LaSalle. “We talked after the doubles and got on them quickly in the singles.”

            Sophomore David Jackson (7-0) got the clinching point when he defeated George Gennaoui, 6-1, 7-5, at No. 1 singles.

            “Jackson was down 5-4 in the second set, but came back to get the break and win,” Albers said.

            Sophomore Chuck Hodge played his first varsity singles match of the season and responded with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Matt Rivera at No. 5.

            “I liked Hodge stepping in and getting his shot in singles,” Albers said. “He was down in the first set, but came back and played well. He stayed with it and started strong in the second set.”

            Sophomore Binky Nikou won a battle of wills over Erick Glick at third singles.

            “He had to attack more because Glick got to every ball,” Albers said. “He knew he had to come in to finish points.”

            Freshman McKenzie Bean was the last match on court and even though he lost, 6-1, 2-6, 1-0(8) to LaSalle’s Chris Butera, Albers was pleased with his overall effort.

            “He struggled in the first set and we talked about making adjustments,” Albers said. “It was windy and we had different game plans on separate ends of the court. He came up just short in the tie break.”

            The win was VU’s second over an NCAA Division I team this season.

            “Anytime you get to play a Division I team and come away with a decisive win is nice,” he said. “You have to bring your best every match and you have to learn to compete.”

            The Trailblazers continue their Florida trip Wednesday against NAIA Martin-Methodist, Tenn.