Feb. 9, 2010

By Matt Fox
Lewis Sports Information Assistant

Romeoville, Ill. - The 2010 Lewis University men's tennis team looks to improve on last season's eighth place finish in the Great Lakes Valley Conference through experience and leadership at the top of the lineup.

Even with the ups and downs of last year, Lewis' fourth-year head coach Brett Bridel has much to look forward to this season.

"The key for us this season will be how we are able to control the things we are able to control," Bridel said. "If we have the proper attitude, maximum effort, commitment, preparation and focus on a daily basis then we will have a successful season."

This season, Bridel has complemented his always strong GLVC schedule with some tough non-conference matches, including Division I Northern Illinois and several regionally ranked squads.

The Flyers will lean on last year's GLVC Freshman of the Year and All-Conference performer Uno Lapimaa (Tallinn, Estonia/Audentese) as well as fellow classmate Tonis Irdoja (Tallinn, Estonia/Rocca Al Mare Kool) who was also named to the All-GLVC team last year.

Once again, both players will be atop the Lewis lineup in both singles and doubles action.

As freshmen, Lapimaa claimed a singles mark of 22-11 overall, while Irdoja was 23-9 on the season. The duo would pair at No. 1 singles for the Flyers and finished their freshman campaign with a mark of 21-10.

"Uno is a coach's dream," Bridel said. "He goes above and beyond what is asked of him and demands the same from his teammates."

"Tonis is our most fit guy on the team," Bridel added. "In addition to his talents on the court, he is a tremendous student, teammate and an even better person.

"He is truly committed to our program and I could not ask for a better representative for Lewis University and our tennis program."

Also looking to make an impact in the lineup for Bridel are juniors Lorenz Pestinger (Bad Homburg, Germany/Humboldtschule/Missouri Valley) and Mike Wojnarowski (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards/Moraine Valley C.C.); and freshman Jesse Hardacre (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's). All three players will be playing in the middle of the lineup for the Flyers.

Wojnarowski transferred in for the spring semester, adding a lot of experience to both the singles and doubles lineup.

"He is an experienced, smart player on the court," Bridel said. "His impact will be significant in the lineup, especially in doubles."

Pestinger sat out last season after transferring from Missouri Valley. During the fall campaign, Pestinger went 4-3 in singles play and teamed up with Lapimaa in doubles action and finished 7-2 overall.

"Lorenz has a very keen knowledge of what he can do on the tennis court and stays within is game," Bridel added. "He is a very good singles and doubles player and we will count on that this season."

Hardacre went 5-2 during the fall season in singles play and paired with Irdoja to finish 6-2 in double.

"Jesse's performance will be critical for us this season," Bridel said. "He adds a dimension that has been missing from our lineup."

This season could provide Bridel some flexibility in regards to his line-up, as senior Bret Mega (Lockport, Ill./Lockport), junior Will Cundy (Lansing, Ill./T.F. South/Moraine Valley) and freshmen Nick Heidenfelder (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) and Brandon Tilton (Chicago Heights, Ill./Marian Catholic) will all compete for court time for the Flyers.

"The critical thing we have been missing for the last couple of years is recruits that are committed to what we are trying to do here," Bridel said. "I believe that this group gets it and has bought into it."

The Flyers open the season today against St. Francis (Ill.) at 12:30 p.m. at the Challenge Fitness Club in Lockport, Ill.