On to the Quarters...

 

Good news folks.  We were able to get up early and win our first match here in Arizona 5-1 over a tough Northwest Missouri team that was well coached and ready to play.  We advance to face Lander University tomorrow.  The good news is that we have an extra hour in the morning as the start time is 8am PST.

Truthfully, we didn't get the strongest of warm ups as we elected for as much sleep as possible.  A calculated risk I suppose but the maximum rest is important and will come in handy tomorrow and going forward, so a risk worth taking.

I was really impressed with Dani and Benas today as they were all business right from the spin of the racquet.  Both players are taking the court with supreme confidence and won handily 6-0, 6-0 and will hopefully lead the team in these next few days.  If we can get Tomasz and Andrey playing at their best, we are going to be a tough out.  I do feel like this was a good start and that even better things are to come.

It was a bit of a tough morning as a 7am start is somewhat odd for a national championship event.  The players had to rise to the occasion as we did have to attend the NCAA reception last night which lasted until 9pm or so.  Whereas I think the athletes mostly prefer a nice sit down banquet, I still think that they had a nice time.  Too bad that the food was marginal at best and long lines to go with it.

I keep hearing for NCAA committee members that "this is a championship" so certain things need to be done a certain way, but with so many things that are not up to par, it is clear that this phrase is selectively used.  Oh well.  We are glad to be here and will do everything our way to be successful and so that the player's have a great experience.

On a personal note, I must thank the team and the ITA for the National Coaching Award.  Clearly, without great players there would be no such award going back to NY.  I am lucky to be a part of this great group and also thankful that Coach Neil has allowed me to do my thing all of these years.  I have learned everything I know about tennis from him.  It seems crazy to me that he has yet to be Nationally recognized and I know that he will be very soon.

Not sure what we will do this afternoon but I suspect rest and shade will be front and center.  We did do some nice sightseeing yesterday in the desert but today we will take it easy for sure.  We will likely get some lunch later and I think I will go out for a run in the park and visit my new animal friends.  I hope to get there for the sunset feeding as I am pretty sure they are expecting me.

My pond friends...
 

So long folks.  Chat with you later.

Nuff said...

Good Morning...

 

Hello Clipper fans!

With the three hour time change I was up at 4:30am just waiting for breakfast and the sunrise.  Very quiet this year in the hotel as there is no significant area for congregation like the hotels for the nationals in the past.  In any case, once the sun came up, I went out to explore the neighborhood and of course, had the buffet breakfast.  Gotta give a shout out the the Holiday Inn Express cinnamon rolls...

Surprise, AZ is a city simply dropped into the desert.  Plenty of sandy waste area around.  However, the tennis center and surrounding grounds are full of splendor and an oasis for the eyes.  Plenty of green grass, parks and recreation space and an abundance of sunshine.  Just around the corner from the hotel is a man-made lake stocked with fish, an assortment of wildlife and a convenient path around the perimeter.  Anyone who knows me well is aware of my life-long leisure activity of feeding the ducks at local ponds.  I have seized some tasty treats from the breakfast that I am sure my feathered friends will enjoy at sunset.  


Yes, that's me on the right (Minnesota circa the late 1960's)

So far many have been slightly skeptical of the NCAA's handling of certain aspects of the Championship.  Clearly, the 7am start time for tomorrow is a little inappropriate for a championship and having the student athletes (not professionals) get up at 4:30am to prepare for the most important match of the season.  There are other concerns as well.  However, on the flip side, the site is terrific.  The courts are solid and they are just one half mile from the hotel.  I am looking forward to getting out there at 10am (PST).

In any case, I will remind the players to apply plenty of sun screen and avoid the dehydration.  I will do so myself as well so I can enjoy a few adult beverages a little later on.  I look forward to the day and hope that the players will have a great experience!  I really hope that this is something special that the team will remember for a long time, especially the seniors.

Maybe I can convince one of the guys to join me for the late afternoon feeding...

For now...nuff said...

The End...

Well folks, that's all she wrote for the fall semester as far as tennis is concerned.  According to NCAA legislation, Rule 17.1.6.2.5 in case you were wondering, just a small paragraph of the ridiculously cumbersome and over-bearing 358 page finely printed 2012-2013 NCAA manual, countable athletically related activity (CARA) must cease after 11/30/12, yesterday.  Essentially, the NCAA decrees that no supervised athletic activities in our sport may take place from one week prior to our final exam period through the end of the semester.

Of course, it is becoming increasingly difficult to remember my college days but as I recall, I was a pretty decent student.  I approached my studies, and especially final exams, seriously.  Further, we expect our student athletes to succeed in the classroom as demonstrated in both teams achieving ITA All Academic status last season.  However, I am pretty certain that I did not completely cease all other activity so as to prepare.  In fact, I thought is was important to continue with my conditioning and/or athletics to clear my mind and to relieve any stress that may have accumulated.  Well, sadly, the NCAA feels that 6 weekly hours of plyometric conditioning out of 168 total hours in the week is unreasonable and far too taxing.  Oh well...

That being said, our conditioning segment was quite successful as the players have performed well and have shown  measurable increases.  The team surely understands that their fitness is, and will be, vital next semester.  We will play top competition and need to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally for the grind which hopefully culminates in Surprise, Arizona and near 100 F degree temperatures.  We are still learning and thankfully it is only December.  I like my team this year and think we have a chance to be special in May if we prepare properly.  

Some of the key notions that have been stressed:

• the importance of playing every point hard / not taking points off
• closing time / finishing strong
• never quitting 
• playing for each other and being an unselfish teammate 

A special shout out to Clipper alum Doug O'Connell '89.  My good friend and former teammate has challenged himself to train side-by-side with the fellas and has represented the 45 and overs well.  It has been a pleasure to have him with us and he has added something special to the sessions.  The team looks forward to having Doug involved in the spring.  I think they especially like hearing some of the old stories of my playing days including my always respectful behavior and interactions with the coach...

Other notes:

• I received a call from former Clipper Henning Ruenz this week.  Henning is back in Germany and currently working for Volkswagen.  He sends his regards to everyone and looks forward to returning to campus in the near future.

• The team looks forward to the arrival of 2 players next semester.  More on that to come later...

• Our women's team will also have some key additions.  Announcements forthcoming.  I have had so much fun coaching on the women's side and look forward to advancing our ranking.

Well, that's all for now Clipper-nation.  Check back frequently for updates and by all means join this site as a follower for improved access.  

Nuff said...

NCAA's...

Greetings Clipper fans...

It's that time of the year again.  It's time to get excited for another NCAA Championship quest.  We have qualified for the "Sweet 16" in Louisville, Kentucky (a town that I normally think poorly of due to my Wildcat allegiance). 

We will square off against Grand Canyon University in the round of 16 and expect a great match.  Clearly, our quarter looks like the most competitive of the four.  Click here for the bracket.

I look forward to blogging the event from today up until we hit our last ball.  Check back for updates daily.

All the best to my Clipper family.

Nuff said...

Off to the Sweet 16...

Your Clippers defeated Philadelphia University for the third time this season, 5-0, to advance back to the "Sweet 16" of NCAA II college tennis. After a first round bye we traveled to out of way Lehigh University to face off against the Rams. PU defeated Merrimack in the first round 5-1.

We got off to a quick start and swept the doubles. Needing only two points to advance, the usual suspects, Tamas and Andreas, raced to singles victories which completed the shutout.

Philadelphia certainly had a great year once again and I look forward to their continued improvement next season. We always have to be on our toes when we play them for sure.

Next up will be Hawai'i Pacific and our friend coach Pampulov. We played earlier this season in Las Vegas and we were able to come out on top 7-2. Of course, both teams and circumstance's were quite different back in March and we expect a very tough opponent to show up in Orlando.

It is finals week at the college so the players will have to manage their time well to succeed in the classroom and squeeze in a quality week of practice on the court.

Wish us luck.

Nuff said...

NCAA II Men's Tennis Selection Show...

Click here for the video...

NCAA Regional Brackets Announced...

In a bit of a surprise, the Clippers will face off in the first round against former ECC conference foe Adelphi University. Rounds 1 and 2 will be played at Queens College (NY) May 6th and 7th (click here for regional bracket).

If you are free, hop on the magic bus and come on over the Throgs Neck Bridge to QC and support the Clippers.

Nuff said...