By Dave Hunter (dhunter)

Blazers will make 25th consecutive trip to NJCAA Finals.....

            Vincennes, Ind., May 1 – The fourth-ranked Vincennes University tennis team defeated Grand Rapids, Mich., 9-0, in the Region 12 championship match at the Trailblazer courts Friday morning.

            VU (27-4) wasted little time in dominating the match, capturing all nine flights in slightly more than 2 ½ hours and winning the school’s 18^th region title.

            “It was a very good effort from the guys today,” coach Ron Albers said. “We came out and took care of business. We got another region championship and it’s on to Plano we go.”

            The Trailblazers lost only one game at the bottom three spots of the singles lineup.

            The decisive fifth point was posted by freshman Chris King (14-7) who defeated Zack Chapin, 6-0, 6-0, at fifth singles.

            Albers put freshman Justin Harlow (4-3) at the top of the lineup after he missed two months of the spring season and the Aussie freshman defeated Patrick Snyder, 6-1, 6-3.

            “I thought Harlow coming back to play number one today was good,” Albers said. “He played well in doubles, too, and is getting close to his old form in singles.”

            Sophomore David Jackson leads the team with 19 singles wins (19-2) and 19 doubles victories with King, also 19-2. He beat Jeff Karasinski, 6-0, 6-0, at second singles after teaming up with King for a 6-0, 6-2.win over Karasinki and Chapin at third doubles.

            Sophomore Jaime Esteban (18-7) disposed of  Kyle Vyncke, 6-1, 6-1, at second singles, sophomore Binky Nikou (17-6) beat Marcelo Souza, 6-0, 6-0, at four and sophomore Chuck Hodge (12-2) topped Mitch Kruizenga, 6-1, 6-0, at six.

            “The sophomores have really stepped up,” Albers said, “Jackson, Nikou, Esteban, Hodge, Andrew Bartelmo, even Trey Butera who’s red-shirting, they’ve really helped the freshmen get motivated, keeping the intensity up and making it a great season for the entire team.”

            “Hodge did a good job at six singles. He takes care of business every time he steps on the court.”

            Nikou and Harlow (3-3) were 6-1, 6-2, winners over Snyder and Vyncke at first doubles while Esteban and freshman Tony Kanavos (7-3) beat Souza and Kruizenga, 6-4, 6-2, at third doubles.

            “Our doubles play at the top two spots was good,” Albers said. “The energy and intensity they brought from start to finish was good as well.”

            Albers said he’ll give the team some time off this weekend before preparing for the Plano trip. They have 11 days before their 25^th consecutive appearance in the NJCAA finals beginning May 12 in Plano, Tex.

            “Next week, we’ll hit it hard, going two-a-day practices Monday through Thursday before we leave for Plano early Friday morning,” Albers said.