Van Dijk, Murgier and Criado added to Aggies

The Cameron University tennis team is again keeping close to success as they placed third overall in Abilene, Texas, at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association tournament. 

The team has continued to build in strength and talent when it added three new boys to its roster this season.

Coach James Helvey, in a subsequent interview, had expressed his optimistic views about the new guys coming to the CU tennis team.

“They are good players, and I am looking forward to them settling down and getting into the team and making the positive impact they were brought here for,” Helvey said.

An 18-year-old freshman, Vitas Van Dijk is an engineering design technology major in love with the game of tennis. From Paramaribo, Suriname, young Dijk has brought a wealth of talent to Cameron University and says that he wants to leave with more than what he has now. I am willing to work hard to accomplish much more in my career here at CU,” Dijk said.

Dijk is one of three new players drafted into the men’s team this season by Helvey and was referred by a fellow country friend, Derik Devries.

“My friend Derik told Coach Helvey about me, and then I received a call,” Dijk said. “I was not expecting it to be so fast, but it happened, and I am happy”

Dijk started his tennis career at a very young age and had been the youngest tennis champion in history in his native Suriname at age 15. He continued to play tennis as he held on to a four consecutive year position of number one in his beloved country.

Dijk said playing as young boy, he always wanted to be number one and getting there was no surprise.

“It was a long-time goal of mine to sit at the top, and working hard to get there was my task, and I did just that. I love playing tennis, and it is what I was brought here for, to play strong and to win.” 

As he continues to work hard on the court, Dijk said that in the classroom is not all that different.  

He said that it is a must to do well in both places, since he was always taught by his father and long time coach, Frank Van Dijk, to be successful everywhere.

“My father was my coach from the time I started playing tennis, and that was good for me. I was being taught on the court and off the court by the same person.”

Dijk, thus far, has performed well in the Heart of America tournament held two weekends ago and is promising better in the near future.

A citizen of Mar Del Plata, Argentina, Iganacio Murgier is happy to be at Cameron University. Nicknamed “Nacho,” Murgier said that he has had a smooth transition into the team from his last home in Plano-Dallas, Texas. “I went to school in Plano, at the Collin County Community College,” Murgier said. “Coming to Cameron is just good, I have met a good team and have been training well with them. We are a good team.”

Murgier, 22, who is a business management junior, said that he met up with Helvey at the Junior Collegiate Nationals and was offered a scholarship to play for Cameron.

Murgier said he was ready to pack for CU.

“I have been playing since age seven, and this was just a nice opportunity. I was influenced by my brother Federico and my father Victor, who both played tennis, and they have been such good inspirations to me.”

Since coming to Cameron, Murgier has won singles and doubles at the Heart of America tournament held in Abilene, Texas. He continued his good run of form when he participated in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association tournament in Abilene, Texas, last weekend. He managed to edge off  from a match point to make it through to the quarter finals in both the singles and doubles matches, but just did not do enough to squeeze himself in. “I played well, but I could play better,” Murgier said. “My fitness is good, I can feel it. I know I will win again.”

Murgier expressed his respect for Helvey and the rest of the staff and gave thumbs up to their coaching style and their level of professionalism on and off the court. “I like Coach Helvey, he is serious, and he knows exactly what is going on,” said Murgier.

While Dijk and Murgier had lots to say about their new home, Agustin “Gucci” Criado seemed to be one of few words. Though shy, Criado had not refused to give his thanks to the coaching staff as well for their continued efforts to make his transition into the CU tennis team a pleasant one.

A native from Cordoloa, Argentina, Criado is also pursuing a bachelor of business administration, concentrating in business management. Age 20, Criado started playing tennis at age six and has played for 14 years since. Also a transfer from Collin County Community College, and a long time friend and doubles partner of Murgier, Criado is as well optimistic about the upcoming tennis season.

“I have been looking forward to the season since summer,” Criado said. “I have played in two tournaments since and have had good results. I won the doubles with Nacho in the Heart of American tournament and reached the round of eight as well in Abilene at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association tournament.”

Having had many opportunities available at home, Criado said that financial constraints created the obstacle in Argentina for a success story therein. At age 15, he decided that he wanted to move to the states to further his already ailing career in tennis and to find an academic path.

He has found just that, according to Criado, and is going to make this opportunity his success story.

“Our coaches have made me feel comfortable from the get go, and I am willing to play hard for coach and for the team,” Criado said. “We are a tight, unified team, and we are building every day. When we go on tour, it is even better because we are no longer individuals there, for we are CU tennis team, and we are playing together.”

The tennis team continues on tour from Oct. 6 to Oct. 7 and is confident of success according to Criado. “We are going there to win, and we will try to do just that,” Criado said. The tenis will continue on their run of good form  as they keep the records up.