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We Have A Winner
By Robin Dawson
The first team to claim
victory at the 2008 3.5 and 3.75 State League Championships is the Lazaro
3.75 men’s team out of Glenlake Tennis Center in Decatur. These guys might
not have to play on into Monday, but their victory was not completely short
and sweet!
To begin with, this
nine-member team has been playing strong all season. They’re undefeated in
regular season play, and they managed to escape defeat here at The
Championships too. But there was a very close call.
In their second match of
the tournament on Friday, the line two doubles team of Captain Brian Lazaro
and Kazu Aiba had a battle on their hands. Things started out alright.
They won the first set 7-5. But that was close, and they didn’t like it.
At the beginning of the second set Aiba started cramping up. He didn’t tell
Lazaro, but just kept on going. Lazaro and Aiba dropped down to Love-5 in
the second set. Lazaro told his partner, “Let’s just try.” And little did
they know at the time trying was exactly what they needed to do! Turns out
their match was critical. Their teammates had already finished their
matches and the match score was tied at 2-2. By this time Aiba was cramping
so badly he had to let on. “I couldn’t move," said Aiba, “Brian tried to
help me by covering as much of the court as he could.” They finally
called for a trainer and got Aiba a little help. Lazaro and Aiba managed to
hang in there to force a tie-break, which they won to take the second set,
and the match 7-5, 7-6.
“We avoided the super
tie-break, thankfully,” said Lazaro. “When we won it was amazing. The
whole team rushed the court – and it was only second match of the
tournament!” But in the round-robin format the men’s 3.75 teams are
playing here, that second match was essential in securing Team Lazaro’s
first place finish.
The whole team is
tremendously proud of the fight displayed by Lazaro and Aiba. Teammate
Blake Pilson said, “It was sheer motivation and focus that kept them in each
point.”
Congratulations Team Lazaro! And way to hang in there Brian and especially
Kazu! You can really savor this one.
Proud Partners Brian Lazaro and Kazu
Aiba
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