Lascari Takes Over Union Tennis Programs

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - While he's new to being a head coach, Abraham Lascari comes to Union with an already established baseline for success.

Lascari, who was hired to take over the Bulldog men's and women's tennis programs on Monday, saw success at the highest level as a college player. He was a key contributor in his one year at Tyler Junior College (Texas), where he helped lead the Apaches to a National Junior College Athletic Association national championship in 2010.

From there, he stayed in Texas, playing three years at NCAA Division-II Limestone University, where his teams won two conference championships and played in the national tournament twice.

Lascari says he expects nothing less in his time at Union, feeling the transition will be easy as he takes over a pair of programs already accustomed to finding themselves highly ranked in the NAIA top-25.

"It's already a good program," said Lascari, who spent the previous three seasons as an assistant at Limestone. "They're already ranked top-10, top-15 (consistently). So the goal is to keep that competitiveness and look at breaking into the top-five. Try to keep the team competitive but always looking to take a step ahead."

With a strong group of established players returning, Lascari expects to win right away while acquiring the talent he needs to build the program in his image going forward.

"I'm excited," he said. "Now that I get the chance … I can put my stamp on it, create a culture that is going to keep moving Union forward."

(Story provided by Union Sports Information)