Both CSUN Singles Players Eliminated

Nicolas Renard and Kevin Feinbloom, the only Cal State Northridge players entered, were eliminated on the first day of the NCAA Division II singles championships at Northridge on Thursday.

In the first round, Renard, CSUN’s No. 1 singles player, defeated Stephen Martin of Hampton University, Va., 6-4, 7-6, but was defeated in the second round by UC Davis’ Aleco Preovolos, the tournament’s No. 8 seed, 6-4, 6-0.

Feinbloom, CSUN’s No. 2 player, lost in three sets in his first-round match to Hampton’s Eduardo Afini, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Renard, a junior, said he will not play his senior season at Northridge, planning instead to enter the University of San Diego’s business school. His final day on the CSUN team was made difficult when he sprained his right ankle in the second set of his opening match.

“I thought I was pretty much out of it. What saved me was when I sprained my ankle,” said Renard, who thought he benefited from the delay to consult a trainer. “I think he lost his momentum.”

Feinbloom rallied late in his match, but with less success than Renard. Trailing, 5-3, in the final set, he won the next game despite being assessed a one-point penalty for profanity. But Afini, who was successful on many of his first serves, closed out the match with effective play near the net.

“Afini made some crucial first serves in that final game,” Northridge Coach Tony Davila said. “We were trying to get Kevin to come in behind his backhand more. But it’s tough to ask a player to try to change something at this point in the season.”