Men’s tennis preview: Heavy on the Swiss

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - According to Swedish-born Vanguard University men’s

tennis coach Mattias Johansson, it’s just a coincidence that four of his

six players are from the land of ABBA and Bjorn Borg.

“Believe me, I didn’t do that on purpose,” Johansson said with a laugh.

“It just worked out that way.”

Leading Johansson’s Swedish connection are the Lions’ three returners,

senior Stefan Johansson, Peter Skrzecnski and Joakim Ulfvebrand. All

three are from Stockholm and were part of last year’s Lions squad that

was ranked No. 12 in the nation by the NAIA.

New to the squad are junior Olli Helminen (Finland) and freshmen Martin

Makovec (Czech Republic) and Josef Stromberg (Sweden).

Johansson’s international pack plays tough from top to bottom, something

that could prove challenging for the rest of the Golden State Athletic

Conference.

“Our No. 1 player could play at No. 6 and our No. 6 could play at No. 1,”

Johansson said. “From top to bottom, we’re very even in terms of

ability.”

Right now, it doesn’t matter his Lions’ team is from, with only six

players and three singles and three doubles matches in each contest,

there’s no room for injuries.

“Needless to say, we’re pretty thin,” Johansson said. “We have to keep

everyone healthy, or we’ll be in some serious trouble.”

The Lions, who shared the GSAC title with Azusa Pacific last year, sees

the Cougars as the Lions’ biggest conference roadblock this season.

“Point Loma Nazarene is a very close third,” Johansson said.

COLLEGE

VANGUARD MEN’S TENNIS

Stefan Johansson Sr.

Olli Helminen Jr.

Martin Makovec Fr.

Peter Srkzecnski So.

Josef Stromberg Fr.

Joakim Ulfvebrand So.