Good start...

 

Our spring trip, and I use the term "spring" loosely,  not that it is actually spring even in Florida, has started pretty well with two wins.  Temps struggled to get out of the 40's for the first few days in the sunshine state but at least there was indeed some sunshine to go with the cold, windy days. 

We were able to sneak out a win at Embry-Riddle Monday, the NAIA's #1 ranked team.  This is always a difficult match being our first day out of doors playing tennis.  In addition, ERAU always has a great team with players that are willing to do the work up and down the lineup.  I was pleased with most of the play as I really just was looking for the team to compete well, win or lose.  Well, I wanted to win too...We always seem to get exactly what we are looking for in the ERAU match.  It is always competitive, the conditions are fairly tough, and ERAU always fights for every point which makes us do the work so as to prepare for the matches to come.  I am so thankful that we are able to play this match and always enjoy chats with Coach Paschal who is a good guy and a great coach.

Our second match of the trip was a good one.  With a quick turn around time wise, as we returned to the condos after 9pm Monday night, we played and defeated Augusta State, the 9th ranked team in NCAA D2.  It was nice to be able to play this match close to "home" here at Flagler College and early in the day at 9:30am so as to have some free afternoon time.  

Wednesday was a day off so to speak although we did spend some time on the practice courts to get better.  I hope that we did and continue to do so.  I did a little sight seeing with Andrey as we headed over to the St. Augustine lighthouse and took some photos and got a nice history lesson.  We ended the day with a team dinner cooked up by Chef Tarangioli.  Delicious baked ziti with garlic bread was served and we are all certainly carbo-loaded for the near future for sure. 

Up early today with a visit to the complex gym.  Workout creativity reigns supreme as there is not a lot of equipment to work with.   That being said, I give a shout out to all the old timers that are there and putting in the time.  I like being called "young fella" as well.  I did break down and make a purchase at GNC as I really needed a protein fix.  I hate to support this overpriced retail organization but I had no choice.  GNC SUCKS!

We will head over to Flagler, who is #33 in D2, for a 2:30pm match.  We have a lengthy history with Flagler which began with only losses.  However, in recent years, we have come out of my favorite place in D2 tennis with wins.  I have pretty much made it known that I will be the next coach at Flagler if they will have me.

Friday we will be taking on Armstrong Atlantic, the #1 ranked team in D2.  This is a great challenge as, in my opinion, this is the best program in the country.  I always look forward to playing this team as, for me, they are the standard and the measuring stick.  These guys just flat out do it better than I do and I really want to get into their class.  It is difficult to be on that level this early in the season, but I really like my team and will certainly learn things from this match.

I will be back later and hope to have good news for you.

He's coming...

Nuff said...

A bit chili...

 

We have been greeted not so warmly here in the sunshine state.  It seemed a little odd to head off to our first practice in the out of doors with temperatures in the low 50's.  In addition, much like New York, it was also quite windy.  However, this mattered not to the players who were ready, willing and able. 

I often say that some things are worse for the coaches.  This is one of those things.  For me, it would have been much better to play rather than to watch.  The players had little trouble adjusting to the conditions which is a terrific indication of what I hope is to come.  To look so sharp after a long day of travel and in the weather elements is a credit to the mental toughness of the players and shows me that they are ready to compete.  I know that this team as a whole feels the lack of respect from the ranking chair and committee and has a mission to prove it's case.

We were able to grab a decent meal at Outback and get some grocery shopping done before retiring to our condos.  We certainly need a good night's rest which would have come earlier if not for Benas Majauskas' "extreme energy" and subsequent need to order everything on the menu.  It seems as though Sunday will be slightly more favorable for tennis and we have two practice sessions planned.  We will travel to Daytona Beach to play Embry Riddle on Monday.  We always like to start the trip with an NAIA opponent as preparation for the NCAA matches.  ERAU is always a strong and well coached squad and this year is no different as they are ranked #1 by the NAIA.

In any case, I must now go on a quest to find a GNC type store to get some protein.  I really hope I can avoid GNC (because it sucks) and it's absurdly high prices as perhaps there is another option here by the beach mall.  Then off to the gym.

Check in with you later.

Nuff said...

ERAU...

Hello Clippernation,

Well it was a tough start for the team as we lost 5-4 in a longish match to Embry Riddle. Actually, the match was a bit similar to last year's contest but this time we came out on the short side.

To be honest, there were a lot of positives to take away from the match. Also, I learned many things about certain players and the team in general. I have not at all changed my opinion that we will be a very tough team in May.

The doubles has been an issue for the coaching staff all year and we know that ERAU always plays solid in pairs. I was happy to see Tomasz and Benas play with intensity. They were up against the #1 team in the NAIA so their effort was sound losing 9-8. It should only get better. I was mildly disappointed with #2 as Dani and Geza lost 9-8 as well. I would have thought prior to the match that this would be our best chance to score a point but it was not to be. We got broken 4 times in the match and this simply cannot happen going forward. If we are to be successful, this pair must pile up wins this season. We will need more aggressive play and a bit more intensity in the future. David and Andy were solid at #3 scoring a win 9-7. My only issue is that they must be able to finish when they get a lead. In all honestly, we could have won all three matches...or lost all three. However, this is why we come here every year, to get good competition and to improve.

The singles also produced some positives. Benas continues to be a solid #1. The kid is going to be a factor here at Concordia. He competed very well and his match was decided by only one break which was his first service game. What I like the most is that he is the only player on the team who came into the office and asked to play #1 singles. As a coach, you simply love that. Andy came up against a tough opponent stylewise but certainly competed to the end. Dani had little trouble at #3 and looks like the player we need him to be and seems to be feeling better physically. David was back to business. He simply does not give away any points. I really enjoyed his approach and opposing coaches always comment about his play. At #5 Mark had some trouble with the conditions but also showed tremendous will to win as he pulled out a win 7-6 in the third set. Once he gets his focus, he will be a tough out for sure. I really appreciated his increased willingness to do the work as the match progressed. If he improves his fitness and mental approach, which he will, I still believe that he will lead the team in wins this season. I was a little surprised that we didn't come away with the win at #6. Tomasz should really be a "lock" down there. He had a little trouble with his fitness and also the windy conditions. He simply provided too much charity. He did compete well and fought to the bitter end but we will really need more from him going forward.

We have a day off tomorrow and will practice some things to get ready for Rollins on Tuesday. This is a very important match that we will need to be ready for. I am sure that we will benefit from yesterday's competition and learn from our mistakes. I really believe that this is a team that has tremendous potential. We are so young and have little college tennis experience. We have a high ceiling and should get better with every match. I am looking forward to the match with Rollins as I will be excited to see if we get better. I also look forward to seeing Coach Bohrnstedt whom I really like as I do most coaches I meet. He does a nice job at Rollins and I enjoyed speaking with him in Alabama at the ITAs in the fall.

We arrived home at about 7:30pm and that left a little time to relax. Of course, Coach Neil spent some quality time in the hot tub which is always a solid move with a sun burn. It seems to be helping his ankle and achilles which is a good thing. I enjoyed a jaunt about the compound and talking with some of the retirees here at Ocean Gallery. There are folks here from all over and it is a pleasure to chat with them.

The fellas enjoyed some Texas Holdem for amusement only as per NCAA regulation of course. I am happy that the "bracelet" was won by me!!! Domination! I will be off to the gym for a nice workout and then to the beach for some cardio. I love being able to get some runs in here while enjoying the scenery. Of course, I sorely need it as Coach Neil keeps me eating meals all day long. That guy can really cook...and eat.

I'll be back.

Nuff said..

A Solid Start...

Welcome to college tennis Mr. Tisserand! In as an exciting college tennis match as you can have, we edged ERAU, #3 NAIA, 5-4 (click here for boxscore). From start to finish, it was a five hour contest that would be best described as a battle. Hotly contested matches on most, if not all, courts, a questionable official, competitive spirit from all involved, 30 mph wind gusts, chili temperatures all coupled with a flat tire on I-95 and the way down to the match...it was a heck of a day for sure.

As a result, I am quite proud of the effort. I expected that ERAU would be a tough match to win being that it was our first outdoor match of the season and with limited preparation time. ERAU is stronger this year and with so many new players, I was unsure of how we would show in this match.

Well, the answer is...we played pretty darn well as a whole, and most importantly we competed and battled about as well as any coach could expect.

Highlighting the doubles was a back and forth 9-8 win at #2 by Geza and Tamas. The point of the day may have been a fairly lucky slash highly skilled top spin lob by Geza at 5-5 in the tie-breaker. We went on to win the next point and thus the match, giving us the advantage going into the singles.

You have to tip your hat to David today. He was up against a very good player who was also a senior with plenty of experience. In addition, this player had beaten former Clipper Alex Grubin last year, so you know that this guy could really ball for sure. David lost the first in a one and a half hour set ending in the tiebreaker so his work was cut out for him going forward. However, he continued to battle unfazed and won the second 6-4. The third set went to another breaker and this time David showed incredible composure, solid fitness and tremendous shot making and was able to win 8-6 to give the match to your Clippers. David really showed us something today. As I mentioned. he was very composed and played terrific tennis under difficult conditions. What was also great was the support from the team on the sidelines watching the match. Even though we were the road team, we were more of a presence out there and I think that helped David come through with a win.

All in all, it was a great college tennis match and why we all do this. Of course, it is much better to win these than lose them but still a great match for both teams. We gained a lot of confidence from this one that will help us going forward. The only drawback is that the match was so long and so physical and emotional for the team. We have a long week of tennis versus top teams ahead of us and will need to bounce back right away today as we play a strong Flagler team. In fact, the next three matches are the more important as they are against NCAA II ranked teams. We have an opportunity to move closer to #1 in the country if we can win them. However, this will be no small task, especially after yesterday. We will learn more about the team today when we see how well we compete.


Thanks for all of your comments and emails and also the love on facebook. I appreciate your support. You can find me on facebook, twitter and also reach me at danabolics@aol.com if you would like to get me a message.

Wish us luck today and see you soon.

Nuff said...