Magic makes the "Y"...

A little John Wall dance too...

Ocean Gallery or Bust...

If you believe in the power of prayer, put you hands together as the team is scheduled to fly to Florida tomorrow 2/27 at 8am. A quick check of the weather in Saint Augustine, FL reveals temps only in the high 50's and low 60's, which is below normal for this time of the year. However, I can't complain as I would rather swing a tennis racquet and not a snow shovel.

I can only hope that the good folks at Jet Blue will have the ability to get us on a plane and in the air to our destination. With any good fortune, I will be in the jacuzzi at this time tomorrow. Woo hoo.

Nuff said...

Clippers win opening match...

The Clippers will take the court for the first time this season, today 2/21/2010, versus NCAA I Monmouth University. First serve is scheduled for 2pm.

Check back during the match for live updates...

Doubles:

#1 Alex Grubin / Andrey Boldarev CC def. Laurence Heads / David Sherwood MU 8-3
#2 Tamas Dobrotka / Andreas Lindell CC def. Harvey Bhalla / Oliver Grimbly MU 8-2
#3 Felix Missal / Raphael Namias CC def. MU by default

Concordia leads 3-0 after the doubles. Order of finish (3,2,1).

Singles:

#1 Dobrotka CC def. Heads MU 6-3, 1-0 ret.
#2 Namias CC def. Sherwood MU 6-3, 6-0
#3 Missal CC def. Bhalla MU 6-1, 6-3
#4 Lindell CC def. Ben Dashiell MU 6-1, 6-2
#5 Dane Ostilly CC def. Grimbly MU 6-0, 7-6 (11-9)
#6 Shaolin Chandam CC def. MU by default

Order of finish (6,1,3,4,2,5)
Match score 9-0 Concordia
Season record 1-0

Nuff said...

Shaolin Chandam

Concordia welcomes Shaolin Chandam to it's tennis team for the spring 2010 season. Hailing from India, Shaolin boasts a current All India Tennis Association (AITA) ranking of #142 nationally.

Shaolin, a crafty left-hander, is expected to add depth to the Clipper lineup and should be in line for plenty of playing time.

Nuff said...

It's a girl...

Congratulations to the entire Grubin family as Alex's brother Mirko and wife were recently blessed with the arrival of a baby girl. Zoja Grubin was born at 8 pounds, 2 ounces and is reportedly doing well.

Alex is very excited about the new edition to the family and will now be introduced in the lineup as Uncle Alex Grubin.

Alex truly is a Family Guy.

Nuff said...

Let the games begin...

2/10/2010

The outlook is bad for outdoor tennis anytime soon...

Recruiting trip to San Juan...

Hola! Making the extreme sacrifice, I have traveled south to the island of Puerto Rico and am staying in San Juan. Of course, as far as the IRS is concerned, I make this trip to search out the best prospective student athletes to fortify my team for next season. Yeah sure, a deductible recruiting trip, wouldn’t that be swell.

Of course, I know that the team is happy as Coach Tarangioli has taken over the conditioning sessions. In his advanced age, the "kinder and gentler" Coach Neil has emerged and is quite a bit softer on the fellas than yours truly. In any event, the fitness program, laden with plyometric drills and a heck of a lot of running, is just what we need to escalate our conditioning to a level comparable with the top teams in the nation.

Time sure flies. It is already approaching mid February. It is hard to believe that many of the southern teams will begin their slate this week. This, of course, is quite a disadvantage to us as they are able to play in the out-of-doors while we are not able to do so until we arrive in Florida for our spring trip...just two days prior to our first match versus the number two squad in the country, Barry University.

It is truly an exciting time for a new team equipped with several new players from many lands. It has been quite enjoyable to see the group bond together, and also, to witness their progress on the court.

A few items of note:

We will travel down to Queens College on Friday, 2/19 to see our friend Coach Schwartz and his players for a pre-season festival of tennis. We have been competing in practice against ourselves but it will be good for the players to get some sets in with another team. Also, we have our season and home opener scheduled for Sunday, 2/21 versus Monmouth College, with the action scheduled to begin at 2pm. The Clippers were able to coast past the Muhawks, coached by my old college foe, Mickey Cook, last season 7-0. As the superbowl will mark the completion of the NFL season this Sunday, 2/7, I expect that you all will have plenty of Sunday time to stop by the Meyers Tennis Center and support the team. Hope to see you there.

Hasta luego, nuff said...

The "Y" in Kentucky

Tennis Fitness and Recovery (Fit to Hit)

Click ahead to 12:40 on the clip for hydration and recovery...

Spring trip finalized...

The schedule for the annual spring trip to Florida has been finalized and is brimming with opportunity for the 2010 Clipper tennismen. The team will fly to Jacksonville, FL Saturday, February 27th and head to Saint Augustine, FL and a the familiar confines of the Ocean Gallery Beach Resort (pictured below). After a few days of practice in the out-of-doors and adjusting to the warmer temperatures, sun and wind, the Clippers will open up against the Bucs of Barry University on Monday, March 1st on the campus of Rollins College, a neutral site. The match is scheduled for 10:30am. Barry, currently ranked #2 in the ITA/NCAA II National poll, eliminated the Clippers in last season's National Semi-final.

Next up will be a shot at Armstrong Atlantic State University, the current #1 ranked team in the NCAA II and two-time defending National Champions. The match is scheduled to be played on the campus of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL on Tuesday, March 2nd at 3pm.

The Clippers will stay in Saint Augustine to play the Saints of Flagler College Wednesday, March 3rd at 2:30pm. The Saints are currently ranked #34 in the NCAA II.

The final match is scheduled for Thursday, March 4th versus Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Dayton Beach, FL. The Clippers will be looking to beat the 2nd ranked Eagles (NAIA) for the first time in their history.

Clearly, any win will be a good win for the 9th ranked Clippers, especially an upset over either of the top two ranked programs in the NCAA II.

Nuff said...

The walking man walks...

Wow, what a title. Now there’s some serious symbolism for the fast approaching transition from year end to new year beginning. So this will be the last blog post for 2009. I am sure that this will bring about a reaction similar to that of when Ed McMahon reveals to Carnac the Magnificent, played by Johnny Carson, that “I hold in my hand, the last envelope.” (click here for Carnac)

As I am sure many of you know, the spring semester at Concordia begins substantially earlier than most factions of higher education this coming Tuesday, January 5th. Tennis practice will assuredly begin shortly thereafter. If everything goes well, we will have another player joining the fold as the new year begins. Martin Miedzowicz of Uruguay has been accepted to the college and is scheduled to arrive in New York for the spring semester. Martin will bring additional depth to a lineup that already has quite a bit of talent, especially at the top. We look forward to
welcoming Martin and expect great things for the team in 2010.

Of course, the turning of the calendar year is a time for many things. Some make resolutions. Some party like rock stars. Others like to celebrate traditions with family and friends. As for me, I like to reflect. I like to think about the experiences that I have had this past year and the things that I have learned. Also, as I like to speak of goals quite often, I like to ponder the efforts I have made and the subsequent goals reached. I like to think about my personal and professional relationships with others and the happiness that has ensued. I like to remember the work, the joy, the many laughs and even the tears. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I like to think about the opportunity to live life and the many good things that are to come.

In any case, I wish you all a 2010 filled with health, happiness, joy, laughter, success, and much love. “One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.” - John Burroughs

Be well and as always, Nuff said...

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.  May you keep the true spirit of Christmas in your hearts all throughout the year.

May God Bless you all.

Nuff said...

The grades are in...



The final exams have been taken and the fall semester has reached its conclusion. With that, the academic grades have now been posted. With some computation, the clipper tennismen have realized a team GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.23 for the semester. In addition, three players have earned a place on the college’s Dean’s List by achieving a GPA of 3.5 of higher.
Clearly, an average of 3.23 is rather stellar and the team should be proud of themselves for excelling in the classroom as well as on the tennis court. One of the goals set by the coaching staff is to achieve a collective team GPA of 3.2 or higher. Attaining this would qualify the squad for a spot on the ITA All-Academic team list. Certainly no small accomplishment. In addition, players achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher for the 2009-2010 school year will be named as an ITA Scholar Athlete.

Last season the Clippers fell just short of the team honor yet had two named to the Scholar Athlete roll. Keep up the good work and lets hope for some good news in May.

Nuff said...