LAJOLA NAMED WAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Hawai’i’s Dennis Lajola has been named the Verizon Wireless Western Athletic Conference Tennis Player of the Week for Jan. 11-17. This is his first honor of the season and fourth of his career.
A junior from ‘Aiea, O’ahu, Lajola 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.
Other 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.
WAC IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
In the Jan. 5 ITA rankings, the WAC has three teams ranked in the top 50. Boise State leads the way at No. 22, followed by Hawai’i and Fresno State at Nos. 41 and 45, respectively.
Individually, the WAC has three singles players ranked in the top 100. Leading the way at No. 35 is Boise State’s James Meredith, followed by of Jim Brouleau of New Mexico State at No. 56. Rounding out the group is David Ayoun of Fresno State at No. 83.
In doubles, Fresno State’s Mirko Zapletal and Taylor Leiby are ranked No. 20, while teammates Rikus de Villiers and Remi Boutillier are No. 36. Idaho’s Alex Joitoiu and Lachlan Reed are No. 58.
HAWAI’I OPENS SEASON 3-0
No. 41 Hawai`i completed a perfect weekend to start the season with home wins over Saint Mary’s (6-1), Nevada (5-2) and UC Santa Barbara (5-2) on consecutive days.
Against the Gaels, the Rainbow Warrior got off to a quick start by taking the doubles points on the strength of a sweep. In singles action, UH picked up five victories, all in straight sets, and missed a sixth victory with a narrow loss in a super tie-breaker.
In WAC action against Nevada, the Wolf Pack claimed victories at Nos. 2 and 3 to seize the first point of the day. However, UH won five of six matches in singles competition to claim the win.
UC Santa Barbara, the reigning Big West Conference champions, started the dual match by sweeping UH on all three doubles court to take the doubles point. But UH responded with five of six wins in singles.
UTAH STATE DEFEATS IDAHO STATE 5-2
Utah State nabbed its first win of its spring season, defeating Idaho State 5-2 on the road Tuesday. The Aggies dominated singles competition, taking four of the six points at the Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 6 six spots. USU also claimed the doubles point, sweeping the Bengals in doubles action.
WAC TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD IN FRESNO
The 2010 WAC Tennis Tournament will be held April 29-May 2 in Fresno, Calif., where Hawai‘i will look for its third-straight crown. Last year, the Rainbow Warriors knocked off top-seeded Boise State, 4-2.