Alabama Recap - Whitties finish 6th at Nationals

Hello everyone,
So, I thought I'd been diligent out in Mobile at the USTA/ITA small college National Championships, but thanks to my Mom who has never been a huge tennis fan but has ALWAYS been amazingly supportive, I realize that the last post I sent was after the play in day, so here is a synopsis of the event. Some pictures are on Jeff's flickr site here.

Winning the doubles play in was huge because it meant both players (Courtney and Alyssa) would play three matches and compete all week for the top 8 spots. This was combined with Whitman Sophomore Andrew LaCava winning a huge play in over the #4 player in the country so we had Whitman tennis morning and afternoon each day. As a coach I want this event to be both a great learning experience that will motivate the players to not only work on their own games, but so they can return home knowing what it takes to beat the best in the country and sharing it with the team.

The first round we had a pretty good draw as 4 teams are seeded and being unseeded we would have to play one of them. We got the #4 seed from Chicago. Two tremendous singles players, both seniors who had played with different partners in previous years. One was the anchor of a two time NCAA championship doubles team so we knew they would be good. However after losing some very long close games to get down in the first set then dropping it 0-6, Courtney and Alyssa stuck with their gameplan, stepped up the intensity and battled to 4-4 before losing a crucial game and then going down 6-0, 6-4. Using match tie breaks to decide the third, it was hard because we were so close to moving into the semis and the fight with our team was definitely there, but there is a reason that they were seeded as they stepped up at the right times and got some crucial points in a great second set.

After a break, we hit the courts again for a late afternoon tussle with University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. This team again had a very experienced senior who is a great doubles player but they came out flat and we ran away with the first set 6-1 playing decent tennis. Unfortunately, decent doesn't really cut it at nationals and UWW got energized and squeked out a break to start the second set, then held with by far their best service game of the day and they took the momentum from there to not let us back into the set. At 0-4, we fought and both Alyssa and Courtney made some good shots and started playing better as a team, but Whitewater was too much and took the set 6-0. So, into the match tie break, I felt good because of how we played the last two games and we got up 2-0 with terrific doubles. Then, a few mistakes had us down 2-4. Suddenly confident again, Whitewater stretched the lead to 2-7. Two solid points kept them from running away with it and it was 4-7 when they stepped up again to earn 5 match points 4-9. Usually NOT a good place to be in tennis, many players will resign themselves to the inevitable loss. I guess ShoPo and Claw have never met those people because after playing very well but being down 4-9 they stepped up even more and it was 5-9, then 6-9. Whitewater couldn't finish as we got stronger and stronger to 7-9, the momentum was clearly on our side to 8-9, then a side change at 9-9 and the feeling was all Whitman. Still, you have to earn it and a great return point followed by a strong serve and volley by Courtney and the improbable had happened, 7 straight points for and 11-9 win! I truly felt for the UWW team, but am so happy that Courtney and Alyssa never gave up and played each point as hard as they could and it paid off!

The final day of the tournament was a battle between the two West region teams, #2 seed from Claremont Mudd Scripps and our WhitWomen looking for an upset. This was a completely different match than any other, as it had the level of play of the Chicago match with both teams hitting great shots and winning points rather than making errors, but it also had a funky feel to it (which I didn't mention the UWW match was full of strange energy). The match was great at times and through spurts it kind of sputtered along but in between CMS did a terrific job doing what they do really well which is rely on great shotmaking and taking advantage of opportunities. I think if we had played more consistent 'good doubles' we could have definitely won this one, but that is easier said than done and while we'd like it back, the score was 6-2,6-2 CMS. Again, great fight from both Alyssa and Courtney as they demonstrated throughout the fall season.

As a team, they are right there with the top teams RIGHT NOW, but they also have a lot of room to grow and so coming off of this experience I look forward to them sharing with their teammates not only what the national level is like, but the confidence that Whitman tennis is on the map and can compete at a very high level. I also give them a ton of credit for how they worked together, supported each other and Andrew as he also claimed 6th in singles (though with an insanely tough draw, playing the 1,2,4 and 5 seeds going 2-2 and winning more games than anyone off the #1 player despite heat exhaustion in the second set when he was up a break).

So, what a way to start the season, we'll go into off season mode now and everyone will take to the courts, the weight room, the library and rest as needed and I'll just get more and more excited for the coming spring.

This weekend is family weekend at Whitman, so if you plan on being here let me know as I'd love to see you. Again, congrats to Alyssa and Courtney on a great nationals and the whole team on a truly outstanding fall campaign.

Best regards,
John