DENVER – Hawai’i’s Dennis Lajola and Nevada’s Emma Verberne have been named the Verizon Wireless Western Athletic Conference Tennis Players of the Week for Jan. 11-17. This is the first honor of the season and fourth of his career for Lajola and the first-ever honor for Verberne.
Lajola, a junior from ‘Aiea, O’ahu, helped Hawai’i to a perfect 3-0 start of the spring season with wins over Saint Mary’s, Nevada and UC Santa Barbara. He went a perfect 3-0 at No. 1 singles, defeating Lucas Tirelli of Saint Mary’s and Alex Konigsfeldt of UC Santa Barbara in straight sets. He also defeated Nevada’s Wessim Derbel 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. At No. 1 doubles, Lajola teamed with Jeremy Tweedt to beat Gavin Leon and Steven Dawson-Roberts of Saint Mary’s and Alex Daruty and Stefan Dmitrovic of Nevada.
Verberne, a freshman from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, helped Nevada pick up a 4-3 WAC win over Hawai’i, as she defeated Alyssa Nafarrete in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 3 singles.
Other male nominees included: Nevada’s Kristian Kuharszky picked up singles and doubles victories vs. Hawai’i … Sven Poslusny of Utah State was the only Aggie to battle to three sets against No. 64 Brigham Young in Utah State’s season opener.
Other female nominees included: Barbara Pinterova of Hawai’i went 1-1 in singles and 1-1 in doubles on the week … Idaho’s Yvette Ly picked up the Vandals’ only singles win against Washington State.