So I couldn't figure out how to post pictures again...really. I'm amazed by my earlier technological prowess that somehow enabled me to accomplish this epic feat, for after selecting some excellent pictures to share with all of you earlier this week, I was left staring dumbfounded at the computer screen that refused to let me copy and paste. Grieved, I was forced to turn back to my usual haunts of facebook and textsfromlastnight to procrastinate from my paper - both of which are much less productive and much less effective in getting my mother, Jackie, and the Gumports off my back about blogging. Too bad, guess its further proof that I'm not a "true blogger". So sad...

            Since earning our spot to Georgia with a win over Tufts in last Sunday's gusting winds, AWT has been focused on two things: school and tennis. With final exams and papers looming and practices becoming more scarce and valuable we've had little time to relax; our social lives, and sometimes even our hygiene, has had to give. All that's in the past though, and 3 a.m. science library sessions, gallons of coffee, and constant stress are hardly interesting or something I'm looking to relive. Besides, Georgia's been on our minds for a while, and now we're finally here, so I'll focus on that.

            With the exception of Laura's epic failure in getting through airport security (freshman.), our flight and travel to our hotel in Lawrenceville were blessedly uneventful. We arrived just in time for a quick dinner, then had time to relax, unpack, and begin catching up on the sleep we'd lost during the aforementioned finals period. That next morning, after a lovely breakfast of fresh-made omelettes, sliced melon, and warm biscuits (thanks NCAA! I <3 you.), we packed up our massive tennis bags and headed over to the tournament site, Collins Hill Athletic Club.  Since we didn't have the courts until 1 pm, we decided may as well eat again. After a failed attempt to find the Applebees in town, we were left with the wonderful opportunity to dine at the Subway located in the super-Wal-Mart. Sadly the rest of the team did not share the same enthusiasm as Jill and I did for this unique culinary experience, but I think by the end of the meal we all had gained a newfound appreciation for sandwiches served mere feet from an in-store hair salon, pharmacy, and the best deals in town.

            Practice at the facility provided us all with a good opportunity to shake off some lingering nerves and fine-tune a few of Jackie's favorite doubles tactics. (Obviously such tactics are not information I will divulge on the Internet.) After this, our final practice of the season, it was time to go back to the hotel to rest before the opening banquet. Apparently, 'banquet' has many different dress code interpretations across the country, as we immediately noticed while comparing our flip-flops to other girls' high heels. However, our fear that we'd really missed the memo to the shame of the Amherst as a whole was assuaged when Jackie made her grand entrance in a skirt - a novel sight for us all. (Never fear, she was also wearing converses.) Continuing on our casual, laid-back theme, AWT continued by helping Brittany prepare much of her team introduction speech at the table in the middle of the banquet. Although she decided against using the 'Dove Promises' wrappers or any of Jackie's beloved sayings for inspiration, everyone in the room now knows our entire teams' astrological signs...including Jon's after some on-the-spot questioning.

            Ok, well, time is of the essence and its time for me to pack my bags for today's match against Gustavus Adolphus. Though I may try to post an 'insider's' play by play, so far my record of posting when I promise to is pretty poor. Can't keep Big Bad Jon aka the bronzed body builder waiting any longer, got to go DO WORK on the tennis courts. Until who knows when...

Mimi

"Be prepared to suffer out there, mentally, physically and emotionally."

Over the past few weeks that has become (thanks to Jacqueline Bagwell) the AWT pre-match mantra and thus far I have to admit this somewhat battle-imagery-invoking credo has proved successful. Since I last posted (I don't even want to think about how long it's been) we've defeated Williams and Middlebury on their courts and celebrated our last home match of the season with a 9-0 victory over Hamilton - a great way to honor our amazing seniors on their 'senior day'.  Though we are all appropriately happy with these successes, and the fact that we were undefeated in the spring, that means nothing now; NESCACs and NCAAs have remained our focus all season long, and now its time to make our efforts apparent.

Yesterday we played a tough Tufts team (haha, that gets me every time) but pulled out a solid 5-2 win.  Getting a 2-1 lead in the doubles proved pivotal as we went out to start singles. As has been the case all season long, Laken finished first with a win at number five and rejoined other members of the team to cheer from the benches.  Playing next to her all season has certainly been beneficial to me, as her nonchalant yet focused style of play motivates me to buckle down and "do work" without being distracted by my own emotions.  I was the next match to come off the court with a 6-3, 6-2 victory, and then I too rejoined the rest of AWT on the stands to cheer and hold out for one more victory to claim the match. Brittany had lost a tough match at number one, Jill and Carlissa had each split and were in the beginning of their second sets, and Natasha had just pulled out the first set in a tiebreaker and was up a break in the beginning of the second set. After another half hour or so Natasha won the consistency-battle at number four and, as matches in NESCACs are only played to decision, the rest of the team gathered on court to congratulate one another and let Jackie have the spotlight to convey her feelings on the match and what we'll need to do better against Williams in the finals the following day.

Following team dinner, the team came back to the motel and, being the model scholar-athletes we are, had a study party in the motel living room. Although between youtube videos, textsfromlastnight.com, videochatting the Brown family, and Amherst College gossip I'm not quite sure exactly how much work got accomplished, but I guess it's the thought that counts anyway.  Besides, what we did spend the majority of time talking about was, admittedly a matter of utmost importance to our own health and safety...SWINE FLU. In case you haven't heard, there's officially been a swine flu outbreak on the Amherst campus, prompting cancellation of parties and dinners, quarantines of infected or possibly-infected students, and flyers and hand sanitizers around every corner. Which, on a side note, reminds me: everyone buy stock in purell now; the Amherst administration and student body may singlehandedly ensure a huge profit this quarter.

So how does this affect us? Well, not that much.  After a few team members were checked before leaving on Friday night and determined healthy, we were on our way as planned without worry of transmitting the pandemic to other NESCAC institutions. However, yesterday while watching the men's team defeat Williams we discovered one noticeable change that had been made due to the outbreak: no handshakes. That's right, the Amherst tennis teams are not permitted to shake hands with their opponents all weekend long...so many jokes could easily be made at this point that I'm going to leave it up to your creativity to think of them and not type anything possibly inappropriate or offensive myself. However, our team song is now a toss-up between "Contagious" and "Can't Touch This".

Once I am out of Williamstown and again have reliable wireless Internet access I will hopefully be posting another entry entirely consisting of pictures taken throughout the season. But please don't hold me to that, because I'm running out of excuses for my tardy postings.  This post's excuse (courtesy of Jim Bell): I simply didn't want to give any other teams any locker room material before NESCACs. Thanks, dad.