Clippers Defeat #1 Team In Nation!!!

Wow! What can I say? How do you describe what it fells like to go undefeated in Florida while playing such great teams on consecutive days? How impressive for these young men to play four days in a row, get the job done and answer the bell and the coaches request for their best. HUGE! Just like my stomach...HUGE. Too much food on spring break here in Florida.

Yes, as I mentioned, in our last match, after playing three physical and emotional matches on consecutive days with tough conditions, we beat #1 Barry 6-3 (boxscore). We have never beaten the #1 team before and am pretty sure that this is the first time in Concordia athletics history that it has been done in any sport. Of course, Barry has beaten us in each of the last two seasons in the Final Four of tennis. Thus, it was nice to get this one. So nice to be rewarded for all of the hard work and effort and a nice boost of confidence going forward to achieve our May goals.

Today, we started out stronger in the doubles on all three courts. We changed it up a little and went with David/Felix at #2. Playing for the first time together, they were able to win 8-3. Talk about catching lightning in a bottle. Andrey and Dani also started strong and won 8-6 at #1. Playing #3, Geza and Tamas were in control the whole way but stumbled at the end and lost 9-7. This was their first loss of the season. We really could have swept the doubles and made our task much easier but it was not to be today. However, such a credit to the strength of this group that somebody different each day steps up and wins for the team.

Thus, we went into the singles up 2-1. Certainly happy with that even though having a third point was well within our grasp. In any case, we needed to battle once again and get three points to earn the victory. This was to be no easy task against Barry, a great team. Luckily we won 4.

Andrey defeated the #1 ranked player in NCAA II in three sets. Such a great 4 days for Andrey. We are very proud of his development and know that there is still plenty of room for improvement. Dani had a tough time at #2 and lost in straights to the #26 in the NCAA II. We need to get him a bit more focused. He has so much talent and just needs to get adjusted to college tennis. I expect that he will be a top 20 player in the division before too long. David, of course, played three sets but came up short. Tamas at #4 was in, what I like to call, "full grind mode" as always. He battled and defeated the #11 ranked player in the country, his best win to date. We continued the winning ways at #5 and #6 as Geza won a thrilling third set match tie-breaker 10-6 and Andreas won in straight sets.

What a tremendous effort for the team. All players 1-9 contributed to our success. I am so happy with Ricardo and Dane as well as they really help us in many ways. This is what we need as a team to achieve our goals.

We will travel back to NY today and to the cold...oh well. The good news is we will have a week of practice and be off to Las Vegas 3/13 for more great matches. I will remember to leave the ATM card at home as gambling is an NCAA violation and I have mastered the art of losing at casinos for sure. Thanks for all of your love, support and well-wishes while we have been in Florida. It makes this so much fun. I hope to share more of the good with you soon.

Nuff said...

What a long strange trip its been...

The Magic Bus came to a screeching halt in the Final Four as we lost to Barry 5-0. Our opponent was just a little too tough for us as we seemed to get off to a slow start everywhere. Of course, when you get to this level in the tournament, and compete versus the highest level of competition, you simply cannot afford to be sluggish. It was really all about which team was able to rise to the moment and Barry was that team. I wish them good luck in the final versus Valdosta.

I apologize for the delay in this post but this was a tough loss. So many things were going through my head and I just could not bring myself to start typing...not sure I would have made it through without the typing of some curse words.

I really wanted a trophy of another kind for the players, administrators and our Clipper community. We have had a great season and I have really enjoyed myself. I think we did many things right. I hope that the players had fun as well and have learned from the experience. Perhaps they have collected many fond memories to be stored away for a long time.

A special thank you to Alex who will be leaving our team after four seasons of participation. A coach once told me that the best thing about seniors is that they do not come back next year. I could not disagree with him more. I always miss my seniors and am grateful for their contributions. Alex joins the group of "former Clippers" but will always be a part of our Concordia Tennis Family. Best of luck in your future endeavors. I have no doubt that you will set school records in cross country, I am just not sure which records.

Now the challenge goes out to the returning players. They will need to get better if they expect to continue the success. There will only be one Magic Bus as next year they must start another journey. Be diligent over the summer and strive for excellence.

Now for the tough part. This is not easy to write. This has been a great year but also a tough year for me. So many things going on in life. So many things. When I started this coaching journey I was interested in strength and conditioning for the players, tennis specific. Shortly thereafter I was back on the court both playing and coaching. I developed a hunger to become #1 in the region and to advance to the National Sweet 16. Once I got here six years ago, I got the urge to win a National Championship, a passion really. I have always tried my best. I have not always made the right decisions at times but the effort was there I promise you. Well, no Championship, but some results that I am proud of. Results not limited to actions on the tennis court alone but also in the classroom and in the community.

Friends, this is my stop. It is time for me to hop off the bus. It has been such a great ride for me and I love you all for what you have done. Receiving the Assistant Coach of the Year award on the National level is something very special to me and please know that I have this as a result of your contributions, love and support. My most sincere thanks to my tennis family.

May God bless you. It has been nice playing with you!

Nuff said...

Tough start...

Spring break got off to a rough start today as the Clippers lost to #2 Barry University today 8-1. Conditions could not have been better as God blessed us with a beautiful day, 72 degrees and sunny. However, moving from indoor play to outdoor play proved to be difficult for the fellas. Of course, not to forget that today’s opponent was extremely tough and came to win.

Doubles:

#1 Emanuel Fraitzl / Max Wimmer BU def. Grubin / Boldarev CC 8-5
#2 Ales Svigelj / Andrew Sharnov BU def. Missal / Namias CC 8-2
#3 Marko Mokrzycki / Sergio Velez BU def. Lindell / Dobrotka CC 8-6

Singles:

#1 Mokrzycki BU def. Grubin CC 6-2, 6-4
#2 Svigelj BU def. Boldarev CC 6-2, 7-5
#3 Fraitzl BU def. Namias CC 6-4, 6-7 (7-3) 1-0 (11-9)
#4 Wimmer BU def. Dobrotka CC 7-6 (8-6), 6-3
#5 Sharnov BU def. Missal CC 6-1, 4-6, 6-1
#6 Lindell CC def. Velez BU 6-7 (7-3), 7-5, 1-0 (10-8)

Things do not get any easier for the Clippers tomorrow as they will travel to a neutral site on the campus of the University of North Florida to play the #1 team in the NCAA II and two-time defending national champion Armstrong Atlantic State University. First serve is scheduled for 2pm weather permitting. We certainly hope for a better result to share tomorrow.

Nuff said...