Alex Del Valle // Contributing Writer
Tennis player Andrea Lazaro started off the spring season with a 2-0 victory Tuesday, Jan. 24, knocking off No. 96 ranked Sybille Gauvain. But the sophomore studying sports management said she and her team didn’t know what was in store for them this season.
“Since the season just started we didn’t really know what to expect,” Lazaro said. “But we were all on the same page and overall it was a good performance. The attitude was pretty positive, [and] all in all it was a good match.”
The Barcelona native also took part in a doubles match with senior Nina Nagode, where the two took care of business, dominating San Jose State 6-0. Lazaro said she and Nagode have known each other for years, and bond well on and off the court.
“We started playing last fall together, and we connect really well because off the court we are really good friends too,” she said. “She knows what I’m thinking and vice versa so that makes it really easy to play. For example if I’m at the net, and I can’t get to the ball, I know she is going to cover me.”
Lazaro finished the fall 2016 season with a 6-3 record in singles play. Her place among the countries best was solidified when she snuffed out a win against then No. 21 ranked Caroline Brinson out of Georgia in the Regional Championships.
“Being ranked was awesome, I knew I was going to get ranked but I didn’t know the number because in regionals I played really good,” the sophomore said. “In the first round it was extremely tough because I was playing the No. 21 girl in the country. I played really good, and I believed in myself to get to ranked.“
Lazaro is currently ranked No. 54 in the country by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
She also received second team All-Conference USA honors last season, piling up a 24-9 overall record. Out of the 24 victories earned, 20 of them came in straight sets, a stunning stat that emphasizes Lazaro’s killer instinct on the court.
Lazaro said she doesn’t want to look too far ahead, as she plans on enjoying her time in South Florida.
“I would love to play in some Grand Slam but I don’t know,” she said. “First of all I want to finish my college career, get my degree and focus on the moment.”
Lazaro is in prime position for a monster season with FIU. Her pre-season ranking and 17-1 record at the three, four and five positions in matches last season puts her in a class of her own. Beware, Conference USA.
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