Recap of ITA National Indoor Championships- University of Redlands at home this Saturday March 2nd

Slug Tennis Family,

The Slugs came away from the ITA National Indoor Championships last weekend with a 1-2 record. Although, result based, we did not do as well as we would have liked, it was an amazing trip giving us plenty of insight into what went well and where we need work. We were blessed to have Enrique Koenig, the papa of Black Bear, join us for entire trip, a heart felt thank you to Enrique for taking care of the Slugs over the weekend and keeping their belly’s full. Please go to this website if you wish to see detailed results of the tournament: https://gustavus.edu/athletics/mt/ITA/2012/scoreboard.php

Match 1

UCSC vs. Trinity

Our first match against regional rival Trinity University didn’t begin until 5:30pm that Friday evening. It was a high intensity match from start to finish, the match going late into the night with the conclusion occurring around 11:30pm.  With the long history we have had with this team from Texas over the years, it was no surprise that this match was a barn-burner down to the last point. Erich Koenig and Eli Scandalis faced a tough 8-0 loss at #1 doubles to start the match. Trinity’s #1 team came out firing and we were unable to keep up. At #3 doubles the streak of Dre and Chris Goetz continued as they won a tough and bloody 8-6 match, keeping the Slugs within reach. After a 8-4 loss at #2 doubles by Bryce and Max, the Slugs went into the singles down 1-2.  The boys came out with great tenacity and determination, there was a long battle ahead of us. 

Eli Scandalis was first off with a tough loss at #4 6-3, 6-1. Next off was a brilliant showing by Andre Halabi with a 6-2, 6-1 victory against a very tough #2 from Trinity. Erich Koenig was next off going down to the #1 player in the country from Trinity 6-4, 6-4. Bryce Bettwy got the match back within reach with a 6-4, 6-4 victory at #3. With small changes Bryce has been committing to in his game, results are starting to show. With this the score was 3-2 in favor of Trinity, Sam and Max were the last two on giving everything they had to grit one out for the Slugs. With both Sam and Max losing the first sets it looked as if this match was almost over. I was so impressed with both of these two as they clawed their way back into the match both winning the second sets in tiebreakers! At this the match rose to an immensely intense level, Sam was the first off with a 6-2 third set victory having tied the match at 4-4. Max Littlejohn gave all he had in that last set, it was just not enough finishing with a 6-3 third set loss. The match was an absolute war and the boys fought to the very end. As we left the bubble it was time to get food and regroup, we had a match to play mere hours later. 

Match 2
UCSC vs. host Gustavus Adolphus

After eating the Slugs got home a little before 2am. Four hours of sleep and we were up and eating breakfast, truly testing our resilience after such a tough loss hours previous. By introductions my team was back and ready to battle, it was a new day to see what we were made of. In Doubles the Slugs went down 2-1 like the match before. Erich and Eli lost a very close 9-7 match while Max and Bryce did the same with a score of 8-6. With yet another win at #3 doubles by Andre and Chris, the Slugs were still in the match going into singles.

At #6 singles Max was first off with a 6-1, 6-0 loss. Erich Koenig went on to play a fantastic match beating the #10 ranked player in the country 6-3, 7-5. Bryce Bettwy continued his inspiring streak with a 6-3, 6-3, victory at #3. With a loss at #2 singles by Andre, 6-4, 6-2, the Slugs were down 4-3 with two matches in mid play. Both Eli and Sam went on to win the first sets as the match came down to mere points. Sam won his first set pretty comfortably 6-3, and Eli played a fantastic tiebreaker to secure his first set. Both players went on to lose the second sets, just like that it was coming down to the final sets at both spots. Back and forth, back and forth, momentum shifted as both boys gave all they had. By the time Sam had won his third set 6-4, Eli was facing a tough 5-2 deficit. With a tenacious effort Eli managed to fight his way back into the match getting it to 5-5. Coming up just short with a 7-5 third set loss, amongst blow horns and cheers from the crowd, the Slugs character would be tested yet again.

Match 3

UCSC vs. N.C. Wesleyan

Exhausted, with very little sleep, the UCSC Men’s tennis team met that afternoon to break down the loss they had faced that morning. It is not easy to bounce back and stay positive after two tough losses like that, but it was necessary as we had one more match to play mere hours away. I would agree that it was challenging to bounce back given the circumstances, but I wouldn’t have expected anything less from these young men. And with that, 8:45pm that same evening, the Slugs were to do battle with a very talented N. C. Wesleyan from North Carolina.

In Doubles the Slugs came out firing with fantastic energy, bouncing cheers back and forth amongst their teammates. It was on of my most proud moments of the trip, taking the tough road we dug in and gave a valiant effort. In Doubles we had another amazing effort by Chris and Dre at #3 doubles with a decisive 8-2 victory. Given their continued success they continue to work as nothing has changed, truly amazing. Bryce and Max followed that with a 8-4 victory, and Eli and Erich lost a close 8-6 match giving the Slugs a 2-1 lead going into the singles.

With a lineup switch, first off was a fantastic effort by senior Erik Rosner. With a 6-2, 6-2, victory Erik pushed the lead for the Slugs to 3-1. Andre lost a very close 6-4, 7-5 match at #2, while Bryce lost 6-4, 6-2, to a very talented #3 from N.C. Wesleyan. Just like that the score was tied 3-3 as Erich Koenig was going to war with the #2 ranked player in the country.  With a gritty and courageous effort Erich won his match in straight sets 6-2, 6-4, putting the Slugs back into position to win this match. It was a break through weekend of singles for Black Bear to say the least. Last on were Sam and Eli as we battled to get one more point for the Slugs. The first sets were hairy, at one point both being down breaks, but Sam took charge winning his first set 7-5. Eli lost the first in a crazy close tiebreaker 11-9. Sam went on to win his second set 6-0 for the Slugs having a 3-0 singles effort on the weekend. Hard work has always been characteristic of Sam’s effort, watching him relax into becoming such an amazing competitor has been most rewarding. Although the match was decided Eli continued his match playing an amazing second set winning 6-1. After losing a 10-3 super breaker the match was over, but the Slugs (at 2:30am) walked away that morning with what my old coach used to call, “a little bacon.”

To sum up all that happened this past weekend, and all that we have learned, would extend for pages. I was proud of our character, I was proud of our fight, and I was proud of our support for each other through the highs and lows. This program has always been about adversity and most importantly how we respond to it. Being a developmental team there is never time to stop as if we have arrived. It is a continual journey of learning, pushing, and growing. We are wrapping up a full week of practice as we get ready for University of Redlands tomorrow at 10am here at home. There have been no days off, no breaks, just hard work both on and off-court to keep us moving in the direction we desire. This group never ceases to amaze me. We will not stop and we will not give up,

Sincerely,

Coach Parmelly