VU Trailblazer Tennis drops season opener at Northern Kentucky, 6-3

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Vincennes Univeristy Tennis Team dropped a 6-3 indoor decision at NCAA Division II Northern Kentucky Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.
The Trailblazers, reigning NJCAA champions, won three of the six singles matches after close losses at all three doubles points to start the team match
“They took it to us”, VU Coach Ron Albers said. “You’re not going to win when you only have one service break in three doubles matches in a nine point team match.”
“We served well, but didn’t put enough of their service returns in play which is what you have to do.”
Trailing 3-0, the Blazers picked up the next two points in singles with straight set wins by returning sophomores David White and Jose Zaatini.
White defeated Chris Angulo, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 5 singles while Zaatini beat Pierce Kohls, 6-3, 6-3, at four.
“White played very well and got us the first point in singles,” Albers said. “I was pleased with his play. Zaatini got us within one point, but we were down everywhere else.”
The Norse clinched the outcome when junior Andre Correa topped freshman Erick Bermudez, 6-4, 6-4, at third singles.
VU’s final point came from the last match on the court with freshman Josh Berrenechea defeating Guillaume Berman, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(5)
“We competed well for five or six balls, but didn’t sustain a level of energy and intensity in long points,” Albers said. “We’re not physically and mentally ready for match play yet. We were out there smacking balls and they were playing a match.”
Albers will use the loss as a benchmark on where the Blazers need to improve as a team.
“It was good to play and they showed us they were the better team,” he said. “We now have a starting point and there’s a lot of growth ahead of us.”
It’s a short turnaround for the Blazers since Thursday night’s match didn’t end until 12:30 a.m. and they play at Bellarmine in Louisville at 3 p.m. Friday.
 
Norse 6; Trailblazers 3
Singles
No. 1 - Josh Berrenechea (V) def. Guillaume Berman, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(5)
No. 2 – Martin Leroy (NK) def. Jose Luis Soto, 6-7(8), 6-3, 1-0(6)
No. 3 – Andre Correa (NK) def. Erick Bermudez, 6-4, 6-4
No. 4 – Jose Zaatini (V) def. Pierce Kohls, 6-3, 6-3
No. 5 – David White (V) def. Chris Angulo, 6-3, 6-3
No. 6 – Tyler Fraser (NK) def. Rafael Bulnes, 7-6(2), 6-3
Order of finish: 5,4,6,3,2,1
Doubles
No. 1-  Leroy/Fraser def. Bermudez/Soto, 9-8(7)
No. 2 - Berman/Kohls def. Barrenechea/Bulnes, 8-5
No. 3 – Drew Schroeder/Correa def. Zaatini/Edward Spilman, 8-6
Order of finish: 2,3,1