Lacombe feels at home with VCU

IIt’s no secret the VCU men’s tennis team has been successful this season. The team has won 12 straight matches. As of April 11, they had moved up to the No. 9 position in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s rankings. They’re headed to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.

They’re good. But who are they?

Eight players. Two coaches. Players are from Spain, France, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Half of the team’s eight players are from France and one of its youngest is really making a name for himself – Damien Lacombe.

Lacombe is a 21-year-old sophomore from Perigueux, France. He is 17-3 overall this season, including going 9-0 at the sixth position. He also is undefeated in the second, third and fourth spots, earning a combined 6-0 record for those positions. His only losses have come in the fifth spot, where he is 2-3.

Lacombe joined the team in 2005 and quickly garnered attention with a 16-5 overall record, going 13-4 at the Rams’ sixth position.

The opportunity to play at VCU came when he heard about the University while playing in France.

“I was playing in France. I finished high school, and I was wondering what I would do,” Lacombe said. “I still wanted to play tennis and there’s an agency in France and they handed me some papers.”

Lacombe said his teammates in France didn’t expect the move. No one realized he was willing to travel so far to play tennis.

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“My club was surprised I was in America,” he said.

Lacombe had three or four choices of what school to play for in the United States, but he chose VCU because of the team’s reputation. And it was the right choice; Lacombe said one of his favorite things about being at VCU is the relationship with his team.

“All of us are European. We don’t have families here. We support each other. There is (a) really, really good atmosphere,” he said.

Lacombe lives with teammate Sebastian Ripoll, who is also from France. Ripoll hails from Mauleon-Soule.

Being thousands of miles from home, playing tennis and not speaking the language, many might wonder how Lacombe is faring. He plans to pursue a degree in either business or information systems. As for his English?

“My English is not amazing now, but it was horrible when I came,” he said.

Lacombe adds that classes are going well. Teachers understand when he needs to miss class for a match. In addition, all members of the team have access to tutors, which Lacombe uses for his accounting class.

“I don’t have only A’s, but that’s not too bad,” he said.

Lacombe on the court isn’t too bad either. At the team’s recent win over then-No. 27 Louisville, Lacombe defeated Nicolas Houard at the sixth position. And when the Rams narrowly defeated then-No. 4 Duke in a match last month at the Thalhimer Tennis Center Lacombe managed a victory over Ned Samuleson, to help VCU prevail 4-3.

Lacombe attributes his success to his speed. As the shortest player on the team, he said one of his strengths is the way he moves on the court. His attitude doesn’t hurt either.

“I don’t really give up easily,” Lacombe said.

As for his weakness on the court, he doesn’t hesitate.

“My volley. It’s kind of horrible.”

Despite any weaknesses Lacombe said he might have, he continues to play strong. Playing in the fifth position the past two matches, he took care of William and Mary’s Marwan Ramadan 6-0, 6-1 Saturday and managed a 6-2, 6-4 win over David Rosenfeld in the Rams’ victory over Virginia Tech last Wednesday.

The wins keep coming, and Lacombe said he is thrilled his team is ready for the CAA Tournament Thursday through Sunday in Newport News. He said he is also excited about his team’s chances of going to the NCAA Tournament championship in Palo Alto, Calif.

“The season has been pretty well,” he said. “We are doing pretty well and hope we’re going to host for (the) NCAA (Tournament). I also hope we’re going to go to California.”