Leopards Open With Victory Over La Sierra

The University of La Verne men's tennis team opened the 2008 campaign with a 7-2 road victory over La Sierra University Tuesday night in Riverside. In the process, head coach Don Flora earned his first collegiate tennis coaching win, defeating former Leopard coach and current LSU coach Steve Bergovoy.

An inspired ULV team came out strong from the start, capturing all three doubles matches. At No. 2, the duo of Mario Backes and Richard Delgado easily defeated LSU's Phillip Williams and Jorge Guiza with an 8-1 score. The Leopards went on to claim matches No. 1 and 3 with 8-4 and 8-5 respective scores.

Both Adrian Laygo (No. 4) and Delgado (No. 5) breezed through their court battles as they won 6-0 and 6-3, respectively. Additionally, Alex Muresan handed a 6-2, 6-4 loss to LSU's Brandon McCowan at No. 2, while freshman Eric Aguilar picked up his first collegiate career win over Chris Suryat 6-0, 6-1. Freshman J.P. Arreglado defeated Joemm Blanche by scores of 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.

ULV experienced two losses in singles. Backes suffered a 6-3, 7-6 defeat to Alan Estreja at No. 1 while Evan Mobley dropped the No. 6 match in three sets.

The Leopards travel to NAIA foe Azusa Pacific Thursday on a re-scheduled match at 2:30 p.m. at the Citrus College Courts.