BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Aivaras Balzekas, a stand-out member of the Lynn University's tennis team, passed away Monday, October 10, from injuries he sustained in a car accident on Saturday, October 8.

"This is a tragic loss for the Balzekas family and for Lynn University as a whole. Aivaras was truly a gentleman and a dear friend. We will miss him very much," noted Mike Perez, head tennis coach. "He was a fighter on the court and led the team with his intense level of play."

Aivaras Balzekas (Lynn)

In his first season with the Fighting Knights he had control of the No. 1 singles' position in the men's tennis lineup. The 23-year old Balzekas faced the toughest competition in the country, while posting a 12-6 overall record. For his efforts, he earned ITA All-American honors, becoming the 13th men's player to do so in Lynn tennis history. Also putting together a 3-2 record in Sunshine State Conference action, Balzekas earned First Team All-SSC honors.

He finished the season ranked 11th in the nation in singles, holding the highest ranking on the squad. Compiling a 12-6 record in doubles, Balzekas played with two partners. The first was junior Dennis Riegraf with whom he finished 7-3 at the second and third lineup positions. Playing the last eight matches with junior Regnier Azevedo, the pair ended the season with a 5-3 record at the second position, with their most notable victory coming in an 8-3 win over Florida Southern in the NCAA South Region Championship match.

Balzekas transferred to Lynn after playing one season at NAIA tennis powerhouse Auburn-Montgomery in Alabama, where he was a member of the 2004 NAIA National Championship team.

A native of Vilnius, Lithuania, he is the son of Remigijus and Vida Balzekas.

-- Courtesy Lynn University