Regular-season matches between the Hawaii Pacific and Brigham Young-Hawaii men's tennis teams mean little more than local bragging rights. Seasiders take HPU series
By Jerry Campany
jcampany@starbulletin.comThe Brigham Young-Hawaii men's tennis team beat Hawaii Pacific 5-4 Tuesday, the second time the No. 2 Seasiders have tackled the No. 6 Sea Warriors this season. Until the national tournament comes up, though, these matches -- including the Pacific West championship in two weeks -- are little more than a warm-up.
"The match was only significant in that it assured us the No. 1 seed in the nation," Seasiders coach Dave Porter said. "That and the usual reason that it is a great opportunity for the two teams to compete."
Both schools expect to host regionals regardless of how they fare against each other, knowing that how they play against other contenders like Cal Poly Pomona -- whom the Sea Warriors host today -- makes the biggest difference.
Peaking at the right time is still the most important thing, but they also want to get their best six starters together and healthy. That hasn't been easy so far this year. The Sea Warriors have been fighting to keep No. 1 Mikael Maatta and Matey Pampulov healthy, while the Seasiders have had to deal with Peter Madarassy's hurt hamstring and Dauda Ndaiye's visa problems. Ndaiye returned to the team yesterday after missing the HPU match after being stuck in his native Senegal. Madarassy was held out of singles action, but would have played if more was at stake.
Both teams leave on their one road trip of the year today, and what a road trip it is for BYUH. Since they can't play HPU 12 times each year, the Seasiders are heading to where they can find more competition. The Sea Warriors make a swing through Florida, while the Seasiders do the same but add Alabama into the mix.
The two teams won't play in the islands again until the regional in May, which will almost certainly be hosted by the Seasiders. Porter says that the way the national tournament is set up now, it may be the last regular season trip for the Seasiders for a while.
The tournament is already set up, with Porter's region playing the top two teams in the Southeast Region. Hawaii Pacific would be on the opposite side of the bracket.
Foyle flying: Two-time Pacific West Player of the Year Alexus Foyle of BYUH was named to the Daktronics All-America second team this week and honorable mention in the coaches' All-America team yesterday, but his time to concern himself with collegiate honors has passed.
Foyle is sending tapes to NBA teams and searching for an agent, hoping he will be able to get a job in basketball after he graduates this spring. He thinks that coming to Hawaii to play his college ball might have hurt him a little bit -- few scouts get a chance to see his show -- but he has no regrets.
"I actually did think about that (when choosing a college)," Foyle said. "But I thought that if you are a good player, they will find you no matter where you are. It doesn't matter, but winning the tournament would have helped."
Give a cheer: The Hawaii Pacific cheer and dance teams each placed first in their divisions in the collegiate championship video entries, but now they will have to show their stuff live.
The Sea Warriors are among the top contenders for the national championship next week at Daytona Beach, Fla. The Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship will be televised on Fox Sports Net on April 30 at noon Hawaii time.