Published: April 19, 2007 11:22 pm      

COLLEGE TENNIS: Mexican-born Garcias commute from Canada for NU

LEWISTON — Tennis players aren’t tradable commodities, so the analogy doesn’t quite work, but one can’t help but think of the North American Free Trade Agreement when told the story of Erick and Walter Garcia.

Brothers and teammates, Erick and Walter were born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, work 30 hours per week at the Niagara Academy of Tennis in Vineland, Ontario and commute here early each morning to attend tennis practice and classes at Niagara.

“Culturally, it’s been a challenge,” said Erick, the Purple Eagles No. 2 singles player. “The cold weather, the culture in Canada and the U.S., being Mexican and having to cross the border every day.

“Sometimes, waking up at five in the morning to go to practice is rough. But when you look at the results, it’s worth it. Being able to play Division I tennis is something I wouldn’t change for anything.”

Erick, 26, and Walter, 23, began playing tennis as adolescents at a local country club where their mother, Eloisa Elizalde, waited tables.

“Hitting against the wall, that’s how we learned to play,” Erick said. “We never had any tennis lessons until we were 16.”

Affable and hardworking, the Garcia brothers were well-liked at the club, so much that they were able to solicit money from members to go to out-of-town tournaments. It was at one of these events that Erick they were discovered, and convinced to move north by Lezlie Murch, director of the Niagara Academy of Tennis, where Niagara coach Kevin Blair’s son was a student.

Though Blair believes Erick and Walter could’ have earned full rides to play at a Division II school, they each accepted partial scholarships to join the Purple Eagles. To cover the rest of their tuition, the Garcia brothers work as instructors at the academy.

“We come to practice, go to class then go back and teach, then I come back at night to take my MBA classes,” said Erick, who received his undergraduate degree last May.

Walter, a junior, isn’t as outgoing as his older brother and doesn’t speak English as well. But Walter is the superior player, owning the all-time wins mark at Niagara, according to Blair.

“He’s the best player in school history,” Blair said. “He’s really something else.”

Both players will factor heavily in the Purple Eagles’ quest to win their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title this weekend at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. Walter is 18-8 at No. 1 singles this season the season and 5-1 in league play. Erick is 15-8 and 4-1 in the league. Niagara, which is seeded third, has made the finals twice in its history.

Blair thinks the Eagles have a shot this weekend, particularly because the outdoor courts in Flushing Meadows are suited to Erick and Walters strengths.

“We’re smaller guys,” Walter said. “We don’t have as big a serve as (opponents) do. But we can run around the back all day.”

Marist and Manhattan are the top two seeds in the draw and both possess players with powerful serves. Niagara is coming off a home loss to Marist in which both Walter and Erick lost close three-set matches.

“Walter had two match points but couldn’t pull it out,” Blair said. “Sportsplex, where we play, it favors big servers, being indoors. Flushing Meadows is slower and more like our outdoor courts on campus.”

Blair said the Garcias are both better players outdoors, when the lighting is better and a powerful serves isn’t as much of a factor. But Walter said winning this weekend will depend on more than the court conditions.

“It’s a matter of mindset,” he said. “We’re confident we’re going to get another shot at those guys and that we’ll do well.”

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.



BROTHERS GARCIA



• WHO: Walter Garcia

• HEIGHT: 5-8

• YEAR: Junior

• ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Second team All-MAAC in 2006, is 18-8 this season.



• WHO: Erick Garcia

• HEIGHT: 5-7

• YEAR: Senior

• ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Missed last year with an injury, is 15-8 this season.