Slugs vs. Stags, Round 1 Stags

Slug Tennis Family,

This past Sunday the Slugs, currently ranked #10 nationally, fell to #1 CMS of Claremont. This is a rivalry that has been going on since I was a player, every year one of these two teams moving on to the final 8 in the NCAA’s, in hopes of a National Title.  I would be lying if I were to say that it wasn’t a tough and painful loss, working so hard and coming up short is never easy, but I wouldn’t want to experience this with any other group of young men. This team is very special, and the bottom line still remains, regionals are three weeks away, and we’re not done by a long shot…

Sunday late morning the Slugs cam out to a great start. While we were down a break early at #1 doubles, we were up a break at both #2 and #3. As the momentum swayed back and forth the Slugs kept fighting. With an 8-4 loss from Chris Goetz/Erich Koenig at #1 and an 8-5 loss from Bryce Bettwy/Max Littlejohn at #2, the Slugs were down to Sam Rodgers and Andre Halabi at #3. It was an amazing match, even having at match point at 8-7, but Dre and Sam came up a hair short, losing 9-8 in a tiebreaker.

The momentum on their side the Stags came out strong. We ended up losing five of the six matches in straight sets. Erich Koenig had a very strong second set at #1 singles but came up a few points short losing 6-3, 7-5. Andre, Bryce, Max, and Eli, had stretches of good play but never quite got their rhythm/momentum going. Our one victory came from Sam Rodgers who beat a very talented Alex Lane at #4 in a super-tiebreaker. It was a pretty amazing checkmark for Sam on how far he as come since starting here at Santa Cruz four years ago.

Pushing past the sting, hurt, and pain, the Slugs put together another great practice today. I am extremely impressed once again on how this team handles adversity, no time to hang our heads, there is work to be done. We leave this Thursday for the annual Ojai tournament. Here is the link to the doubles and singles draws: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=131585

I will keep you posted on the results.

Sincerely,

Coach Parmelly

Slugs take down #4 Cal Lutheran, on to CMS…

Slug Tennis Family,

Last Sunday the boys of Slug Tennis faced the number four team in the country Cal Lutheran of southern California. It was a match we had all be gearing up for, our first match since our spring break trip, and last regular-season home match of the season. It did not disappoint, coming down to the very last shot.

We started in doubles going down early at #1 while having very tight and close matches at #2 and #3. Andre and Sam went up an early break at #3, while Max and Bryce got down an early break at #2. Erich and Chris went down breaks early to a very tough Cal Lu team, and although they held their last four service games, ended up losing by a score of 8-4. Bryce and Max fought back to get the break back, even went up a break at one point, but were on serve at 6-6 before dropping the last two games. Down 2-0 it all came down to Sam and Dre who went from 5-5, to 6-6, to 7-7. It was a match we needed if we were going to have any chance of winning that late afternoon, Sam and Dre stepped up huge when they needed to, keeping us alive going into singles down 2-1.

With a tough 6-1, 6-0 loss from Eli at #5, the Slugs were down 3-1. Erich Koenig, facing on of the top players in the country, fought to play a very strong 2^nd set, but came up short with a 6-0, 6-4 loss putting the Slugs down 4-1. With four matches left on the court and four matches needed for the win, the Slugs, as they tend to do, started to chip away at the huge mountain ahead of them. First off was Andre “Sniper” Halabi with an impeccable performance giving the Slugs hope taking them to 4-2. Dre won decisively 6-1, 6-0, as he demonstrated once again how incredibly tough he is at his spot. Next off was Bryce Bettwy with a 6-4, 6-0 win, bringing the Slugs within range at 4-3. Once Bryce grabbed the momentum, he never looked back. With two matches left and Sam and Max still playing, the crowd circled as the cheering grew louder and louder from both sides. Sam won the first set 6-1, and although was down a break 3-2 in the second, came back to win four straight games to clinch his match! The overall score was now 4-4! It was yet another demonstration by Sam on his ability to turn it on when needed. As Sam finished his match, the whole facility moved to surround Max Littlejohn’s match on court #6.  He had won the first set 6-3, but was down 4-1 in the 2^nd  as his opponent had elevated his game. Point by point, Max started to gain momentum. 1-4, 2-4, 3-4, 4-4, Max went on to play the best tennis I have ever seen as he won five straight games to clinch the match for the Slugs! The fans roared as the players charged, it was yet another huge and amazing effort by the Slugs.

The Slugs leave today to head for LA for their last regular season match of the year. We will be facing the #1 team in the country and our long-time rival Claremont-Mckenna. It will be played this upcoming Sunday at 11am at CMS. In terms of hosting the NCAA regionals, it all comes down to who wins this match. Up to this point I can proudly say that I have a group of truly amazing young men that I am so excited to go into battle with this upcoming weekend. They have put in more time and energy as a whole, than any other team I have been apart of. They continue to push each other on a daily basis, demanding so much from themselves and from each other. The environment is healthy, challenging, and positive, it is an environment that has made our progress this season possible.

I would briefly like to congratulate these boys on two awards they recently received this past few weeks. Our team was just awarded for having the highest team GPA out of any other male sports team here at UCSC this year (3.3 average). On top of that the boys just received a National Sportsmanship award given by the ITA. This award is not just for division 3, but includes all tennis teams from all divisions throughout the entire country (http://www.itatennis.com/AboutITA/News/UC_Santa_Cruz_Men__Kansas_State_Women_Receive_April_ITA_National_Team_Sportsmanship_Award.htm).  These are amazing accomplishments that attest to the character these boys embody.

Thanks once again for all the support out there. It is so awesome to have fans and family so connected with this team, makes the whole thing an absolute blast! The showdown in LA is a few days away, these boys are ready, as always I’ll keep you posted…

Sincerely,

Coach Parmelly 

Spring Break recap for the Slugs-Next up Cal Lutheran…

Slug Tennis Family,

The Slugs got back late last Friday night after a long week (spring break) of tennis. Five dual matches in six days, three wins, two losses, tons of highlights, and most importantly, ample information as we set our sights on our final stretch of the season. It was a fantastic trip on the whole, tons of support from family and friends, and continued beastly efforts from the Slug Warriors in yellow. I’m going to keep the recaps short, I have dinner plans in six hours, but will give you some insight into each of the five matches. If you would like specific scores of these matches please go our www.goslugs.com website.

Day 1

UCSC vs Middlebury(#9)

Our first match of the spring break was a tough one. Middlebury played strong that day, and although we took the #3 doubles match soundly and went three sets in four of the six singles matches, the panthers walked away with an 8-1 victory.  Chris Goetz and Andre stacked our only win at #3 doubles 8-2. At #1 doubles Erich Koenig and Erik Rosner lost a close 8-6 match with momentum swings from start to finish.

In singles Andre Halabi and Erik Rosner lost in straight sets. Erich Koenig and Eli Scandalis lost in three set matches, while both Bryce Bettwy and Sam Rodgers lost in super tiebreakers after the match was decided. Other highlights included great play by Jimmy Soper and Garrett Deguchi in exhibition doubles, followed by singles exhibition wins from both Max Littlejohn and Jimmy. It was a tough loss for us that day and I was very impressed with how the team handled it. The next day we were to play Williams, the #3 team in the country.

Day 2

UCSC vs Williams(#3)

On day two we were off to play Williams of Massachusetts. The doubles was tight as I was very impressed with the level on all courts. Bryce and Max lost to a very tough #2 team and Erik and Erich lost another close one 9-7 at #1. Our last match on was Chris Goetz and Andre Halabi at #3, who hadn’t lost a match in who knows how long. With absolutely brilliant and clutch play Chris and Dre took down their match 8-6, Chris holding that left fist high to the sky in celebration.

In Singles we had amazing efforts by Andre and Sam Rodgers both winning in straight sets against extremely tough opponents. Both Andre and Sam are proving how tough they are at their spots day in and day out. With tough 3-set losses by Erich and Bryce at #1 and #3 singles, the Slugs were down 4-3 going into our last matches of the afternoon. We lost both matches in close straight set battles. Erik played an awesome first set at #6 singles, points away from taking it, while Eli played some of the best tennis I have seen him play this season at #5. It was another tough loss to face, but the feeling of what we could accomplish with a little improvement was felt throughout the squad.

Day 3

UCSC vs Depauw

With an attempt mix our doubles teams up the Slugs went down 2-1 going into the singles against division 3 Depauw University. It is our goal to put the three best teams together at all three spots, given this last minute change, the boys handled it very well. Erich Koenig/Chris Goetz and Erik Rosner/Bryce Bettwy both lost very close matches. Andre and Max Littlejohn won 8-3 to give us our doubles point. Winning five of the six singles matches in straight sets the Slugs walked away with a 6-3 win. It was a great finish to the day as our boys worked hard. From there it was down to San Diego to play one of our UC Rivals division 2 UCSD.

Day 4

UCSC vs UCSD

With another victory at #3 doubles (seems to be our lucky spot), and losses at #1 and #2 the Slugs went down 2-1 going into singles. We had a long match ahead of us against a very talented team, as always the Slugs dug in and fought with everything they had. With tough straight set losses from Andre and Erik at #2 and #6 singles the Slugs were one match away from defeat. Eli Scandalis played arguably his toughest and most inspiring match of the season, winning at #5 singles 6-3, 7-5. Next off was Erich Koenig with a brilliant 6-0, 7-5, win at #1. Solid and still aggressive, he put a great match together that Thursday afternoon. With that the Slugs were down 4-3 with two matches left on the court. Bryce Bettwy and Sam Rodgers…

As Bryce split sets at #3 singles I went over to see how Sam was doing. My assistant coach Brian Pybas went over to sit with Bryce, if there was anyone who could help Bryce through this one it was Brian. His coaching has improved dramatically this season with leadership and commitment like I have never seen from him. Sam had won the first set and was in a close 2^nd set when I arrived. From 3-2 he went on to win the next three games, clinching his match and bringing his team to a 4-4 tie. Sam continues to impress with his ability to step up when the time is needed most. I had heard that Bryce was down 5-1 at one point in the third, holding serve his opponent was serving for the match at 5-2. 30-0, Rajeev Herekar was 2 points away from clinching the match for the Tritons. 30-15…30-30…30-40…Break Bryce Bettwy! At 3-5 Bryce held again, Rajeev was to serve it out again at 5-4. Watching Bryce go into “lockdown mode” as we like to call it was absolutely moving. He was relentless, focused, determined, and fearless. Three games later, with a final score of 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, the match was over, our boys charging the court to give Bryce Bettwy a much deserved smothering.  It was such a special day that seemed to put the Slugs back on track. Gritty and tenacious these boys refuse to fold.

Day 5

UCSC vs Mesa Jr. College

Our last match of the break was against a strong Jr. College team from San Diego. With wins from Erich/Chris, Max/Bryce, and Sam/Andre, the Slugs went up 3-0 going into singles. Bryce, Sam, and Erik Rosner finished first with dominating straight set victories. Next off was Max and Erich Koenig with super tiebreaker victories with Andre finishing the 9-0 victory 7-6, 7-5 at #2. It was a great match to close down the break, plenty of highlights and plenty of information on how to improve.

Special thanks to the Koenig’s for such a great visit and feeding the boys Tuesday night. Enrique’s meatballs gave them fuel for three days solid! Huge thanks to the Rosner’s who housed most our boys for 3 days/nights, along with tons of food and hospitality. Aneesa and Dwane huge thanks for the grub and ping pong tourney, along with the awesome hospitality from the Bettwy’s. To all the parents and supporters/friends that made it out to the matches, thanks as always for the support.

Next up is our last and biggest home match of the season against #6 Cal Lutheran University on Sunday April 14^th at 1pm. With the potential to host regionals still intact, the Slugs are looking for a much needed win on these our home courts. It has been one amazing season so far, the finish line in sight, our plan is to peak when it’s most needed. This is the part of the season we train for, we prepare for, the time when we put it all together in attempt to win a NCAA National Title. These boys are putting in hours and hours of work, they are extremely fit, they are mentally tough, and they are the last team I would want to face in regionals come may. I’ll keep you posted…

Sincerely,

Coach Parmelly