Quinten Plummer
Staff Writer
qlplummer@valdosta.edu

Fresh off of a Gulf South Conference (GSC) tournament title victory, the Blazer men’s team—ranked fourth nationally–looks to build on the success they shared with the Lady Blazers in the GSC tournament as they head into the NCAA Division II tournament. The Blazers will begin regional play in the tournament on Thursday, May 6.
Though the NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Tennis Committee won’t decide on where the venues for regional play in the NCAA DII tournament will be held until Wednesday, Coach John Hansen expects to be matched against Lynn University “Fighting Knights” at home in Boca Raton.
“We got beat by one match, 4-5, last time we played Lynn,” Hansen said. “The guys were disappointed with the loss but we hope to make up for it.”
The Blazers have built a head of steam since the matchup back in March. The heavily favored stormed the GSC tournament, sweeping Christian Brothers University and the University of North Alabama before eventually blanking previously undefeated Ouachita Baptist, 5-0, in the championship game.
“It’s easier to motivate players when you’re winning,” says Coach Hansen. “We’re fortunate to have self-motivated players. My job is just to get out of the way.”
Hansen attributes friendly peer pressure and a competitive attitude among his players for their hard work and successes. And while most students will be out for summer break, the men’s team expects to still be playing into well into the month of May at the NCAA tournament.
The men’s Blazers team—both nationally ranked and regionally seeded fourth—will look for more strong doubles performances from Leos Jelinek and Joerg Ekkenga—the number two doubles team in Division II—and more solid singles play from Florian Halb,  Ekkenga and Jelinek as they head to the tournament.
“We have a classy bunch of guys that represent VSU,” Hansen said, “a real classy bunch.”
Both Blazer teams will be on a break until the NCAA DII tournament begins on May 7. Championship selections and venues will be decided by NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Tennis Committee on Wednesday.