Prairie View A&M tennis team members Kundzai Chiridza, Nicholas Bateman, Xavier Godoy and David Herrera recently competed in the 2005 Crowne Plaza Invitational held at Rice University in Houston, Texas on September 9-11.Chiridza and Bateman competed in singles competition while fellow teammates Godoy and Herrera competed together in doubles competition.
On the first day of competition Chiridza lost to Take Morita in three sets. After dropping the first set 6-0, Chiridza battled back to win the second set 7-5, forcing a third set. Morita took the third set 6-1 and subsequently captured the victory.
Will Lefevre defeated the Panthers’ Bateman in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3. Godoy and Herrera wound up losing to White and Tragardh of Louisiana State, 8-3.
The second day of competition saw Prairie View’s Chiridza nearly pull of an unprecedented victory against Akil Burgess of Virginia Tech. Burgess won the first set 6-2. Chiridza battled back taking the second set 7-5, and forcing a third and game deciding set. Chiridza raced off to a 5-2 advantage in the third. Burgess sensing an upset at hand regrouped and fought back to capture the third set 7-6.
Bateman was defeated by Ignaci Roca of Virginia Tech in straight 6-4, 6-3.
Morita and Breenberg of Rice rounded out the list of Panther opponents in doubles competition defeated Godoy and Herrera 8-4.
“The Crowne Plaza Invitational was definitely an eye opener for our team,” said Panther tennis team member Andy Narido.
“It gave us a good look at what the competition for 2005 ITA Regionals will be in October, hopefully we can build on that.