Season Wrap-Up
Our trip as a team to College Station, Texas for the Sweet Sixteen had to be staggered because some guys had yet to finish finals. One group left Monday morning, and the other left Tuesday, flying from Champaign to Houston and then driving another two hours. Because the weather in Texas was scorching, it was very important that we practice a lot in order to get used to the tricky conditions. After a long day of travel (I went down on Tuesday) we went straight to the courts and practiced for two hours. The swirling wind and humidity made for a very different type of play than in Champaign.
Because we didn't play until Thursday, our team had a little free time. On Tuesday night we went and played laser tag. It was probably the most fun I've ever had. Our manager, Kevin Hall, somehow managed to win every single game which had to be some sort of sick joke. We played for two hours straight, breaking every single rule in the facility such as no running, yelling etc. We were relaxed and ready for our match against the defending National Champion Georgia Bulldogs.
Thursday came before we knew it. We knew that the key to the match would be a complete effort from every member of our team on every court, singles and doubles. Doubles was extremely hard fought. We won at number two doubles after losing at one, sending the doubles match decider to court three. We lost a battle 8-5, and went into the locker room down 1-0. Singles looked promising right from the get go. We took five out of six first sets. Roy and Waylon did a great job of grabbing early straight set victories for us. Ruan won in three late in the match, tying the score at 3-all. It came down to Marc's match on court one. His opponent Nate Schnugg of Georgia played a great third set, winning 6-4 in the decider.
We said at the beginning of the year that if we worked as hard as we could we would have a chance to win a National Championship. We certainly had that chance, and that is what Illinois tennis is all about. We stuck together in the tough moments, and created energy and momentum at the end of the year. We did not reach our lofty goals of winning NCAAs, but did manage to make an eighth straight sweet 16 appearance, something we are very proud of. It has been an absolute blast. The guys on our team are truly exceptional athletes and people. I will miss Marc, but am also looking forward to what we can do next year.
Until next time, Abe
College Station Here We Come!
It has been an extremely emotional and stressful week in Champaign, Illinois. In addition to preparing ourselves for the challenge of regionals, our team was faced with the necessity to finish up finals early. This meant late nights of studying, long practices, and lots of stress. However, we were somehow able to find the balance of tennis and academics and were ready to go on Friday. It was a great pleasure to play alongside the women's team this weekend who also hosted a regional. They have worked very hard and it has paid off.
On Thursday we had the opportunity to honor a very important member of our program. Our secretary Janice was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. She organizes all of our travel, and does so much work behind the scenes. We were all happy to shave our heads in tribute. It was a great way to begin the NCAA regional.
`On Friday we faced Western Michigan University. We didn't know much about them, but were obviously ready for them to compete extremely hard. After all, anything is possible in the NCAA tournament. We came out focused and took it to them all the way though singles and doubles in a 4-0 victory. We had a big steak dinner on Friday night, fueling for the final round on Saturday. Louisville had beaten Wisconsin earlier in the day in an epic 4-3 match, and so we would face them at three o'clock on Saturday.
Louisville is a very good team. They were determined and focused in doubles. The conditions were cool and windy, very difficult to play in. Marc and Marek have been great all year, and they showed great execution in taking a dominant victory at two doubles. Dennis and Ruan had a lead early at one, but fell in a tight pro set. Three doubles also lost a battle. Coach Brad Dancer spoke to us in between doubles and singles, assuring us to focus on our own court and get the job done. We took four matches in straight sets, winning 4-1. I was still in my second set when we clinched, as was Marc. We were so happy to make the eighth straight sweet 16 for the program. The very next day we did sprints in the sand, preparing for the unbelievably hot weather in College Station, Texas.
We will face the Georgia Bulldogs on Thursday at 9 a.m. As the defending national champions, they will be quite intent on advancing again. One thing we are very confident in is our physical fitness. If any team is able to deal with the heat it will be the Fighting Illini.
Until next time,
Abe
Post Season is Here!
Our team arrived in Ann Arbor on April 23rd for what we hoped would be a memorable weekend. Because courts were limited, we only had an hour and a half to practice on Thursday afternoon. It was important to show great intensity and ready ourselves for fierce competition. We also needed to be ready for interesting weather possibilities. The forecast called for hot (up to eighty degrees), humid, and extremely windy (just under twenty miles an hour). All three days of competition had possibilities for rain, so it was feasible that we move inside. The coaching staff did their best to make sure we were ready for whatever happened.
The Big Ten banquet on Thursday night was a fun event. Former Illini and current comedian Mike Kosta made us crack up during his speech. Also, the Big Ten Team was named, and other awards were given out. Our team was fortunate enough to have Dennis Nevolo, Roy Kalmanovich, and Marc Spicijaric named to the All Conference First Team. Dennis was honored as the Freshman of the Year, quite an honor to a deserved player. Dennis has played so well this season, and hopefully he can continue, putting himself in contention for All-American status.
On Friday we played Penn State at two o'clock. The wind was absolutely insane. However, it probably gave us the edge. Champaign can get quite windy, and so we were ready for the challenge. We ha beaten them 7-0 a few weeks earlier in fierce wind, and so we knew we could take advantage of tricky conditions. We pulled away with the victory 4-0. In the Big Ten Tournament and NCAAs, the match is halted when one team reaches four points, unlike a regular dual match. That night, we got to enjoy some quality time with supporters and families of our guys. Marc's mom and sister, Dennis' parents, and Marek's parents were tremendously supportive throughout the entire weekend.
On Saturday we were slated to play Indiana in the semifinals. They had upset the number 3 seed, Minnesota, in the quarterfinals, earlier in the tournament. We warmed up outside, but lightning and light rain forced us inside. The coaches decided to play inside, rather than wait for the courts to dry. We managed to play one of our most focused matches of the season. Because Dennis and Marek finished at the exact same time (down to the second), the score was recorded as 5-0. Talk about sending a message! We were very happy and excited at the possibility of claiming the Big Ten Tournament Title on Sunday.
Sunday's weather was beautiful. The wind picked up as the match went on, but it was very warm. Through great efforts at 1 and 2 doubles, we took the doubles point, going into the singles ahead 1-0. Despite the strong start, Ohio State outplayed us in singles. We lost 4-1, giving Ohio State their fourth straight triumph over us in Big Ten Finals. We were obviously frustrated and disappointed. The bus ride home was a long one.
On Tuesday we found out that we are hosting the first two rounds of NCAAs. We have done this almost every year for quite while. It puts us in a seeded position to make the Sweet 16, a feat we have accomplished the last 7 years. Everyone is very excited and ready to work hard. NCAAs starts on May 8th. We will be training in Champaign until then. Until next time,
Abe
Big Ten Tourney Time
It is always amazing to watch how quickly the season goes by. My freshman year the seniors told me to enjoy the ride because it would be over before I knew it. This couldn't be more true. I remember our training trip to Florida in January like it was yesterday. Now the weather is heating up, school is almost over, and our squad is into postseason play, starting with the Big Ten Tournament this weekend. We go in as the number two seed, behind the Ohio State Buckeyes, and are aiming to win the title, a feat well within our capabilities.
Last week, we began what has become our postseason "tradition" at Illinois. In 2007, a banged up Fighting Illini team decided to work even harder the last few weeks of the year. Choosing to be over-prepared, the team added 7 a.m. hits to their already rigorous practice schedule, and took on brutal conditions sessions. Such hard work and dedication brought the team together. They rose to the occasion, defeating the Buckeyes in the quarterfinals and advancing to the finals of the NCAA Men's Tennis Championships. Their effort embodies our greatest desire: the opportunity to play for a national championship. At this time of year, most teams begin to taper their workouts hoping to rest up for the challenges ahead. We will continue to work hard, knowing that our strong legs and mental toughness will serve us well. Hopefully, this gives us the edge that we need to achieve our goals.
Over the weekend we traveled to the state of Michigan to take on the Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans. We took a rough loss on Saturday, one that was very displeasing to our team and coaching staff. However, it could turn out to be a blessing. We were jolted and pushed to play extremely well the next day against Michigan State. I think now our team completely understands just how much we need to focus. We are ready for the Big Ten Tournament and couldn't be more excited. Hopefully, when I write again, I will be a Big Ten champion.
Until next time, Abe
Senior Day
With our scheduled outdoor matches against Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota being pushed indoors because of rain and cold, our team was eager to compete against Kentucky at the new Khan outdoor complex in Champaign, even if the conditions were less than ideal. ITA rules state that the temperature must be above 50 degrees, and that the winds must not exceed a sustained speed of 20 mph. I believe that the temperature was 49 and the winds were at 17-18, so outdoor play was approved.
Kentucky is a talented young team. Last year, in Lexington, we earned a hard-fought victory in cold, windy conditions. We were looking for a similar result. The doubles was extremely hard fought. We split 2 and 3 doubles, bringing the doubles point decision down to the freshman duo of Dennis and Ruan at number 1 doubles. These guys couldn't have done a better job of going after it and staying aggressive in the tightest moments. They triumphed in a tiebreaker, taking the set 9-8 and the doubles point for the Fighting Illini. This point turned out to be essential as we captured the match 4-3.
Rain and freezing cold inhibited our ability to practice outside over the next few days. However, we knew that our two Big Ten matches (Penn State and Ohio State) over the weekend would most likely be played outside. Saturday's match brought conditions very similar to Wednesday's; windy and maybe slightly warmer. Doubles wasn't perhaps where we want it to be, but singles was probably the best we have performed all year. Our squad took four of the six singles matches very quickly, and then pulled out victories at 4 and 6 to take our first 7-0 triumph in the Big Ten. We were all excited and ready for the challenge of facing the Buckeyes on Sunday.
Sunday was senior day, giving us the opportunity to honor Marc Spicijaric. Marc has been a tremendous force on our team for all four of his years. He was instrumental in the run to the NCAA finals in 2007, and has been so valuable for us again this year. Unfortunately, our team fell to a solid Ohio State team 6-1. We are eager to redeem ourselves at the Big Ten tournament in two weeks time. However, before that, we will need to meet the challenge of playing Michigan and Michigan State, both away, this coming weekend. Hopefully we will put ourselves in a position to succeed.
Until next time,
Abe
Conference Season in Full Swing
Keeping in mind our tremendously busy schedule down the stretch, our squad put main priorities at a premium on April 1st and 2nd in Champaign. Missing so much school is troublesome, especially as finals approach. Rescheduling tests or quizzes can become a huge hassle if problems are not recognized and dealt with in advance. We made sure to get ahead in class, meet with teachers concerning upcoming conflicts, and of course, rest our bodies and minds for the challenges ahead. After coming off such a busy weekend of competition, we knew that we wouldn't need to hit too many balls to be ready to go against Iowa. A proper mental state was much more important.
On the bus ride to Iowa we watched some very interesting DVDs. Brad brought along the trailers from the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 seasons. It was incredibly exciting to watch Delic, Stolt, Calkins, Chris Martin, and others claim a National Championship for the Fighting Illini. The films gave us extra motivation to fight hard for a Big Ten Title and a National Title. That night, our team talked in the hotel about ways in which we could incorporate qualities of the undefeated 2003 team into our own group. We decided that it was essential to play for ourselves, for our own glory and excitement in playing tennis. I think these discussions helped us tremendously the next day. We came out with loads of energy against a talented Iowa team. Although we lost the doubles point, everyone came out ready to play in singles. We took five out of six, claiming a 5-2 victory.
We drove to Minnesota that night to prepare for a battle on Sunday. We watched the movie Miracle on the way up. This tale concerning the United States' victory over the Soviet Union's hockey team in 1980 further motivated our fighting spirit. Every person on the bus was motivated to take a dominate 6-0 start in the Big Ten.
The match on Sunday did not disappoint. Brad informed us just how tough of a team Minnesota is on Saturday. They boasted a 12-0 record at home entering the match. Our team did itself proud, taking the doubles point with a gutsy win at three doubles by Brian Livingston and Waylon Chin. Singles was a complete war. The match came down to Waylon and myself, both in third sets, at 4 and 6 singles respectively, with the score 3-2 for the Illini. Waylon triumphed, winning 6-2 in the deciding set to give the fighting Illini a well deserved victory.
This week brings a whole new cluster of opportunities to our program. It will be our privilege to encounter these at Atkins Tennis Center, our home. We will play Kentucky on Wednesday April 8th, Penn State on Saturday, and Ohio Sate on Easter Sunday. I think everyone is incredibly excited for the opportunity to take on a great team like Kentucky, and then attempt to maintain our undefeated Big Ten record.
Until next time, Abe
Spring Break Recap
In college tennis, spring break usually means a trip to
a warm climate for a week of training, team bonding, and competition.
Last year, our team traveled to Malibu, California. We practiced hard,
spent time at the beach, played Pepperdine, and finished up our trip
with some site seeing in San Francisco. However, because of our busy
schedule with Big Ten matches and the NCAA championships this season,
the coaching staff gave us four days (March 21-24) to go home, see our
families, and ready ourselves for the challenges ahead. Waylon came
home with me to St. Louis. We completely crashed and spent most of the
next few days in bed. We returned to Champaign rejuvenated on Tuesday,
March 24.
For the next week we trained extremely hard. Blustery
conditions in Champaign required intense concentration and patience.
Although frustrating, competing in such conditions definitely made us
mentally stronger. We decided that the best way to prepare for our
final cluster of matches would be to compete in matches against each
other. On Wednesday and Thursday our team battled in windy conditions
in an attempt to simulate a dual match. The coaching staff hoped that
in creating a dual match atmosphere, our squad would be more prepared.
At night we encountered challenging conditioning workouts. Every man on
the team improved drastically in running times and strength.
On Saturday morning we traveled to Notre Dame. Our
confrontation with the Irish on March 29 ushered in the final portion
of the season. For whatever reason, our intensity in practice on
Saturday was not up to par. This definitely cost us in the match the
following day. We came out flat in doubles, giving away the doubles
point. Singles was more hard-fought, but the Fighting Irish took
advantage of the slow start, claiming a 4-3 victory. We were quite
upset with this outcome, and looked forward to traveling to Indiana for
a match on Tuesday.
Practice at Indiana was much more intense. Our team came
together in an effort to rebound and end the road trip on a good note.
We practiced twice on Monday and prepared our minds for what was sure
to be a tough match. Rain forced the match inside just after the
doubles matches got under way. A change in surface and playing
conditions can be extremely difficult to deal with. Indiana's indoor
courts were quite quick compared to slow outdoor play. Nevertheless, we
remained focused and swept the doubles. We then claimed five out of six
singles to win the match 6-1. We were proud of this effort as Indiana
is a strong team. It was an encouraging win for us, and hopefully our
team is able to continue the momentum. We will travel to Iowa for a
match this Friday, and then play Minnesota away on Sunday. Hopefully
we can grab two victories and keep an undefeated Big Ten record. There
is certainly a lot to play for down this final stretch.
Until next
time,
Abe
Spring Weather is Finally Here
The University of Illinois and Texas A&M University have had an intense, college tennis rivalry in the last few years. It was A&M that prevailed in Aggie Land in 2006 in a hard fought 4-1 defeat. Illinois returned the favor in 2007. The team that later made the National Championship match dominated in the friendly confines of Atkins Tennis Center, taking a 6-1 victory. This past weekend, we had the privilege of returning to College Station for what was sure to be a dogfight.
In looking towards our first outdoor match of the year, we knew that preparation would be key. On Monday, March 9, our squad bundled up and braved the sub-fifty degree temperatures to try and get used to outdoor play. For those that don't know, outdoor play presents an entirely different set of problems. For one, the pace of play is much slower. The courts, affected by the elements, are quite gritty, grabbing the ball and preventing it from skidding as often happens during indoor play. The wind and sun force players to practice intense concentration. A player's shot selection or ball striking manner can depend on a handful of factors. We knew that Texas A&M would be used to such conditions and so our success would depend on our ability to adapt.
Our team had the privilege of practicing with another extremely successful alumni in Ruben Gonzales beginning on Wednesday. Ruben, who is now traveling the U.S. and the world playing professionally, passed through Champaign and gave us his thoughts on professional tennis, practice habits, and most importantly, playing Texas A&M. His ideas on our upcoming match were in line with those of the coaching staff and other notable Illinois alumni. It was essential to be ready for the heat. If not handled properly, playing in heat can neutralize any players strengths, regardless of their ability. Fitness, hydration, patience, and clarity on game plan would be at a premium. Also, the Aggies have the reputation (and have had it for a few years) of bringing out a large, raucous crowd. Staying composed in a hostile environment would be crucial.
It turned out that these basic assumptions could not have been further from the truth. Amidst many weeks of seventy-five degree heat, rain and cold moved into Texas all of last week. Additionally, the normally large crowd was significantly smaller due to spring break. A&M's match against Ohio State on Friday, March 13, was played indoors due to rain. We arrived late Friday night, and needed to use squeegees to dry soaked courts for our two practices on Saturday. We focused on adjusting to outdoor play and being ready to bring our own energy and atmosphere to an away match. Despite the strange circumstances, we were ready to play on Sunday at noon.
The doubles point was hard fought. Marc and Marek did a great job with being aggressive and consistent at number 1 doubles, but fell 8-5 to a solid Aggie team. We fell at number 2 doubles as well, handing A&M the doubles point, yet managed to grab some momentum in a win at number 3. Singles was equally hard fought. We grabbed wins at 3, 4,and 5, tying the total score at 3-all. Brian Livingston lost a heartbreaker at number 6, 7-5 in the third set in the deciding match. Even though we lost, we were encouraged by our fight. With spring break this coming week, our team looks for rest, recuperation, and preparation for a hectic end to our year. Big Ten matches followed by NCAAs will clutter our schedule. We will need to be well rested.
Until next time, Abe
Big Ten Season in Full Swing
The Big Ten Opener against Purdue on February 27 ushered in an extremely important part of the season. There is not a person on the University of Illinois Men's Tennis Team that does not place a Big Ten Title (regular season and tournament) near the top of their list of goals. Former coach Craig Tiley took our program from obscurity to national prominence in the 1990s. Illinois became a winning machine, bringing home nine Big Ten banners in as many years from 1997-2005. However, our squad has not grabbed a regular season or tournament title since 2005. I had the privilege of experiencing a Big Ten Tournament final last year at the University of Iowa. The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Although we lost a heart breaker to Ohio State 4-3, the chance to play for such laurels is what our program is all about. Having said that, feeling such disappointment last year makes us want to push ourselves even harder in preparation for what is to come.
The sub-freezing temperatures thawed this past week in Champaign, bringing warm air from the South and putting everyone on our team, coaches included, in a pretty good mood. We focused on consistency and fitness, getting our minds and bodies ready for battle. On Tuesday, we had the opportunity to practice at night. Because no one else was in the building, we were able to take the shirts off and compete hard against one another for a few hours. We concentrated on composure, hustle, and execution, tactics which will pay dividends in long matches. Trash talk circulated in the friendly-competitive atmosphere, particularly from Brian Livingston and myself.
In general, we have done a really good job of making things fun this year. This was one of our goals that we made during preseason in Florida and our team has enjoyed the ride so far. Having fun keeps our team fresh.
We felt completely prepared for the weekend of Big Ten tennis, and were excited at the possibility of extending our conference record to 3-0. Northwestern on Friday turned out to be a battle. Our guys had great energy in doubles (another trait we have been emphasizing), and managed to sweep all three matches. We knew that Northwestern had improved tremendously. They showed their strength at all points of the lineup, managing to grab three wins. Marc did a great job of trusting in his game at #1 singles. He stayed calm and trusted in his form, showing why he was such a huge force for us at ITA Indoors. Marek was tremendously solid mentally, as usual, at #4, and Brian Livingston electrified the crowd on court 6, giving us a 4-3 victory.
Playing a match the next day is always difficult physically, so body care (icing, stretching, hydration) was at a premium. Once again, our doubles prevailed Saturday night over a talented Wisconsin team. We showed our depth with victories at 4,5, and 6 singles to seal another 4-3 win. The matches haven't been easy, but we are happy to get through each match and remain undefeated in conference play. Next Sunday, we have a big challenge ahead of us in playing Texas A&M in College Station. The cold is supposed to move back into Champaign mid-week, but hopefully we can sneak outside and prepare for a very strong team. The wind and possible heat will all be difficult factors, but every player is ready for the opportunity.
Until Next Time,
Abe
Back in Action
Well Hello again!
Last time I mentioned our run at the
ITA National Indoors Championships. It was an incredibly exciting event
to be a part of, especially as the tournament host. However, it took a
pretty big mental and physical toll on our team. Our schedule for the
2009 season is arranged in a certain pattern. Large clumps of matches
are followed by a week or two of rest time. I think that this is best
for our team in terms of recovery. The week that we returned from
Indoors, it was important that we continue to improve and work on
things that had troubled us the previous weekend. However, it also
needed to be a time of rehabilitation and rest. Without proper care,
small pains can suddenly turn into stress fractures or shin splints.
Icing, massages, ice baths, and lots of stretching are all extremely
beneficial. Our coaches and athletic training staff did a great job of
putting our squad in a great position to continue our success.
Our next sequence of matches featured two double headers, one
on Friday, Feb. 27th and one on Sunday, Mar. 1st. We competed against
Detroit at 1 p.m. and had our Big Ten Opener against Purdue at 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Northern Illinois and Saint Louis came to Atkins Tennis
Center at noon and six, respectively. We prepared for these matches by
having two mock dual matches between members of our team. We split up
our team into the orange and blue teams, and wore the sleeveless
jerseys of former great Illini such as Ruben Gonzales, Ryan Rowe, Ryler
DeHeart, G.D. Jones, and Kevin Anderson. As our young team has moved
back into the top ten in the national rankings, we are still looking to
define our identity as a national force to be reckoned with. Playing
with the spirit of these leaders is definitely a step in the right
direction. It was a great way for us to raise the intensity of our
practice and to have a little fun along the way.
The four matches gave us the opportunity to sharpen our skills
while still giving every person on our deep, eleven man roster the
chance to compete. The home support for the first match of our Big Ten
title run did not disappoint. I played 6 singles and the atmosphere was
electric. There is no experience in college tennis that can compare to
playing in front of the crowd at Atkins. The loud echoes, raucous
cheering, and effort of the competitors creates an atmosphere unlike
any other. We managed to pull it out 4-3 (and the other three matches
on the weekend), but were disappointed to drop some matches.
Nevertheless, we are very optimistic in continuing Big Ten play. After
our match with Purdue, former Illini Kevin Anderson and Ryler DeHeart
talked to our team about ways to better perform and execute, especially
in pressure situations. Having such valuable resources around such as
these alumni is another thing that makes the University of Illinois
Men's Team such a special program and experience. On Saturday, I had
the opportunity to practice with Ryler which gave me phenomenal
preparation for Sunday's matches. Hopefully our unique community will
give us an edge this season. This coming weekend we host Northwestern
and Wisconsin on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively. Hopefully we
can raise the level of our play and build some momentum. Our crowd
(which is sure to be large) will help us a lot.
Until next time,
Abe
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abe Souza
Sophomore, Illinois
Abe won his first collegiate match for the Fighting Illini over Alabama's Saketh Myneni in the fall of 2007 at the Olympia Fields Invitational. He went 16-17 overall and 5-4 in the dual season in singles, and played at No. 6 singles, going 2-1 in Big Ten play. Abe was honored with the Strength and Conditioning and Most Improved Player awards as voted on by his teammates for the 2007-08 season.
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