The Brown Northeast Intercollegiate Report (Sept. 19-21)

Waarde landgenoten,

De trip naar Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island was een voltreffer. Ik was best wel nerveus aangezien het mijn eerste trip als coach was en ik de volledige verantwoordelijkheid over een ploeg van negen spelers had. Allemaal voortreffelijke gasten, geen enkel probleem en good times all around. Brown met zijn mascotte Bruno the Bear is gekend omwille van zijn academische sterkte in het kunstonderwijs. De universiteit maakt deel uit van de Ivy League, waar onder andere ook Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia en Yale aan deelnemen.

Onderweg over de George Washington Bridge gereden. Grootste brug die ik ooit gezien heb, met rijvakken verdeeld over verschillende niveaus. Het sportcomplex was eveneens gigantisch. De indoor tennisbanen bevonden zich op het vierde verdiep van het hoofdgebouw, en als je te voet alle sportvelden wou afwandelen dan was je toch zo'n half uur onderweg.

Het tennis was van B-15/2 niveau. De echte toppers zaten op Flushing Meadows, waar de USTA Invitational voor College players plaatsvond. Onze ploeg draaide aardig mee en won enkele spannende wedstrijden.

Zaterdag konden ik en de assistant coach van Brandeis University het toch niet laten om even de campus bars te gaan verkennen. Na enkele pitchers Budweiser zijn we maar overgestapt op reuze baco's (Bert Stas Walhalla) en die bleven tot de volgende middag in het bloed chillen. Lichtjes zwalpend en eloquenter dan ooit coachte ik mijn beste wedstrijden van het weekend. Gelukkig had ik m'n zonnebrilleke en kauwgom bij.

Tot slot nog even de de-briefing die ik aan het team gaf:
Ø Results: http://brownbears.cstv.com/sports/m-tennis/brow-m-tennis-body.html (right side bar)
Ø General remarks: despite the absence of many top players (USTA Invitational), it is fair to say we kicked some serious ass this weekend. There is still a lot of work ahead, though, if we want to be ready for the Spring. The aspect in everyone’s game that urgently requires improvement is the approach shot followed by a convincing volley or a killer overhead. We can grind with the best of them but often fail to recognize the right ball to take over control of the rally and finish off the point. Another overall area for improvement is variation. Our game is still too stereotypical in the sense that we do not utilize the drop shot, high top spin ball, lob or short angle cross court shot enough. Mixing up our shots every once and a while will prevent the opponent from reading our game and getting used to our tempo.
Ø Individual observations:
o Troy “Kobe” List: came very close to beating ex-Patriot League player of the Year MacIntyre, who went on to win the NIC. Troy was serving impressively, used his heavy forehand to win points and kept a classy composure throughout the whole tournament. Needs to work on footwork and backhand consistency if he wants to get to the next level.
o Leeland “Li’l Wayne” Richardson: played a very solid first day despite being hampered by fatigue and illness. Looked insecure in his first doubles match, but played much better in the next one and is improving at being aggressive at the net. Needs a lot of doubles matches to gain experience. Provided the team with the hottest beats on his iPod.
o Colin Laffey aka “Laffey Taffey”: started off slowly a couple of times, which cost him the victory in matches he could have won had they not been limited to a third set tiebreaker. Annihilated a good player from Army in an impressive display of bageling.
o Edgars Rauza aka “The Latvian Hustler”: Edgars always plays close, entertaining games and gets a lot of points on consistency and fighting spirit. There were some double faults on important occasions, but these come with being a freshman. Did a great job of controlling his bladder on the way home.
o Chris Collins aka “The Stale Prince of Bel Air”: battling a nagging shoulder injury, the Prince did all he could to represent his team in the best way possible but was forced to forfeit later on. Showed promising stuff, especially with the signature one handed jump backhand. Polluted the air with disturbing flatulence.
o Robbie Bolcar aka “Robbie the Rocket”: after a poor start of the fall season, Robbie made a case for himself in this tournament, playing excellent tennis and making it to the finals of the main draw. Did not hesitate to openly seduce his girlfriend during the match. Interesting driving style with an emphasis on speed.
o JT “Phone Numbers” Bolcar: showed flashes of brilliance but struggled in keeping a positive mentality on the court. Once he learns how to play the opponent instead of himself, he will definitely live up to his potential. An avid text-messenger when it comes to communicating with waitresses.
o Ryan “Milky” Krueger: came out swinging in his first well-deserved college win. Displayed very calm and mature behavior on the court, but likes to milk his jokes off court and wrestle people. Needs to work on his return.
o Michael Gordon aka “Captain Gordo”: physically the oldest man on the team, Gordo gave us a taste of his finest time and logistics management skills. Without his mathematical talents, the team would probably be bankrupt.


Regards,
Coach Hendrix


hoe zit het in Bels?