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