Pomona-Pitzer Tennis

Indoors Approaches

2012-02-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

One week from today we'll be hopping on a plane to Minnesota for ITA Indoor Nationals at Gustavus Adolphus. It's the first time we've been invited to this prestigious event and we are so excited to play.

I can't say enough about the work that he guys have put in. It has been inspiring to watch them push each other and challenge themselves to reach new levels of strength and fitness, and to improve weaker areas in their games. The work is hard, and occasionally there are frustrations, but the way that our team interacts and comes together makes it all worthwhile. This thing, this idea of developing a national championship caliber tennis program is such an incredible experience. With every breakthrough comes a challenge, but each challenge is new, and the pursuit is always engaging. Last year was a blast. There were moments of absolute heartbreak (Kenyon, regionals), but just as we were motivated by our successes (Trinity, Williams...) we are driven by our setbacks. The most compelling aspect of this thing, aside from the people, is the opportunity to learn and grow from every experience. There is no perfection, but there are moments that feel that way. In short, that's what we're pursuing...moments.

Our first round matchup at Indoors is Kenyon. It will be a battle. The Lords are always ready to play, and indoors is definitely their comfort zone. I like that. We have five more days of practice and then...

Tournament website:

http://www.itatennis.com/Events/ITANationalChampionships/DIIIMensTeamIndoors.htm

Twitter updates:

https://twitter.com/#!/grouseking47

Battle with the #5 Cougars

2012-02-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

The spring season has finally arrived. We got things started in January with some of the best practices we've ever had. The hard work that the guys put in really showed as we were able to start off at such a good level and get important work done right out of the gate. There is no doubt that everyone was motivated by a great fall.

After a solid two weeks worth of practice, it was time to test ourselves against some outside competition. So on Feb 4, we traveled to Azusa to take on the #5 NAIA team in the nation, Azusa Pacific. We had a 9 am start time and had to play singles first to accomodate a women's match that started after us. Overall, I was impressed with out competitiveness and fight in the match. Freshman Connor Hudson was adjusting to his first college match against an opponent who gets back a ton of balls. It was certainly a challenge for him, but he competed well and showed a fire that will definitely be an asset as his career develops. Frankie is still shaking off the rust from a semester in Spain, but is getting better every day. He had opportunities in his match and he has a great idea as to what he needs to do to win this year. Uday and Max played tough opponents but made them work and had opportunities. Max forced his opponent to cramp in two set match, which shows A) how fit he is and B) how hard he makes his opponent work. Tommy played the match of the day, dropping a close first set, 6-4 and going down 0-3 before rallying. Deep in a tight second set, Tommy's opponent, ranked #5 in the country in singles, started to cramp...or something, as he was just generally complaining, so it was tough to tell what was going on. As the match wore on, Tommy started to play his best tennis, exposing his opponents weakness and making him work for forehands. Tommy grabbed the second set, 7-5 and was ready for the third when his opponent retired. It was a shame that they didn't play it out as Tommy looked sharp and I hated to see a good match end in such a way. Nonetheless, it was a great match and great performance by Tommy. It was great to see our morning workouts pay off. Kevin Prescott and Joey DeBruin played 7 and 8 singles respectively, and looked very good. KP rolled to a 6-1, 6-2 straight set win, and Joey cruised in the first, lost the second, and was down 8-2 in the super breaker before coming back to grab a match point. His opponent snapped a great topspin lob on match point and played his best tennis to close Joey out. Despite the loss, Joey looks better than ever and competed very well.

In doubles, our #4 team of Alex Groth/Mike Chang were the first off the court with a dominating 8-2 win. Both played clean and Alex absolutely had his way with his opponents and MC looked very sharp in his first college match. Our three team of Chris Wiechert and Connor "Sprinkles" Sutton was the next off, with a very solid 8-5 win. They held serve without challenge and their return games got better with each opportunity. Sprinkles played like a veteran in his first match. At two dubs, after going down an early break, Tommy and Uday took control of their match and cruised to an 8-4 win. Our one team of Max and Frankie played some tough early games and found themselves in a 1-6 and 2-7 hole before breaking through and closing to 4-7. After some tight points, the APU team was able to break to an 8-4 win.

Over all, it was a great performance that left us motivated and ready to put in more work. We certainly were not content with the way that we played, but we left feeling that were the more fit team and that as the season progresses, we'll get better in all facets. We had a great practice yesterday and a fantastic morning workout this morning and I can't wait to get after it this afternoon, despite the rain. Only a few weeks until Indoors and our first round against a good Kenyon team that edged us 5-4 last year. That was a bitter loss that has stayed with us and continues to motivate us.

A special thanks to our SID Jeremy Kniffin for showing up and taking pictures at the match: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.227146127376509.52710.151808791576910&type=1

Also, a special thank you goes to the Wei family for coming out to watch. I hope to see more families and alums out there during what will definitely be a special year.

Sincerely,
Ben and Andrew

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T16:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! 2012 is here and as I sit here working through my long to-do list, I'm ready for this season to begin. The long wait is nearly over as we begin practice on January 23. There is so much that I can't predict, but the one thing I know for certain is that this will be the the best tennis experience in program history. It sounds hyperbolic but I say that each year, and each year we proves me correct. This isn't about wins or losses, but rather the experience of this journey. Every year, we learn more about ourselves, we learn more about each other, and we learn how to improve. In my eight seasons here, each team has worked harder than the one before, and this year's team is certainly no exception. If we work hard, learn from our failures and successes, lead by example before mouth, challenge, support, and accept each other, the results will speak for themselves.

There's so much to do, from ordering uniforms, to getting that first week of practice locked down, to putting last season's accolades on our records board, but that is the enjoyable part: working, piece by piece, step by step, and with each step, becoming more excited, ready, and appreciative than the one before.

As I wrap up this rambling, stream of consciousness post, I would like to welcome Jonathan Kim to the program. JK was admitted ED to Pitzer and will be joining us next fall. I can't wait to have Jon out on the courts and welcome him and his family into the Hellhen program.

Sincerely,
Ben

New Rankings

2011-11-11T11:26:00.001-08:00

Coming off of their first NCAA appearance in a decade, the Pomona-Pitzer men's tennis team was ranked 8 in the nation in the most recent ITA pre-season national rankings.

Last season, the Sagehens posted a 17-6 overall record and notched their first top ten final season ranking since 1994. In the west region, Pomona-Pitzer is ranked third, behind Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (1) and UC Santa Cruz (2). Last season, the Sagehens finished 2nd in the SCIAC behind CMS and fell to UC Santa Cruz in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament.

Individually, two-time All-American senior Tommy Meyer, who finished ranked 9 in the nation is ranked 20 heading into the 2012 season. Meyer is ranked 7 in the west in singles and 15 in doubles with partner Chris Wiechert. Fresh off of his National Rookie of the Year award, Wiechert is ranked 14 in the west region in singles. Joining Meyer and Wiechert in the regional rankings are junior Max Sabel (20) and freshman Connor Hudson (22). In doubles, Meyer and Wierchert are joined by Sabel and senior Uday Singh (12).

The 2012 season will kick off on February 4 against powerhouse Azusa Pacific in Azusa, and then the team will travel to St. Peter, MN for the ITA Division III Men's Indoor National Champions, February 24-26 where they are the number 5 seed.

2011-10-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 24, 2011. It's a little overcast outside, a week following fall break and midterms. In a few weeks it will start getting dark early. A few weeks after that will be Thanksgiving, and then everyone will head home for a month.The rhythm of the off-season is unique, moving quickly but feeling like forever at the same time. It's during this down time that so much in a tennis program happens. This is the point where the coach relinquishes his control over a team and releases them to do whatever the see fit to do. I have come to view this time as extremely valuable. It is during this time that I'll learn the most about our team. I will learn how cohesive our team really is, how much they share in our team goals, how disciplined they are, and how driven to improve. This time is so valuable because there is no coach telling you to get out on the courts or in the gym. There is no official structure other than the structure created by the team itself. As a coach, it's difficult to sit on the sidelines, so I busy myself with every other aspect of the job (budgeting, scheduling, recruiting, planning, etc.). This time is valuable for me because it builds anticipation and enables me to prepare for every conceivable situation in the spring. Every off-season is different than the one before it, and I have been fortunate in that our work ethic, discipline, motivation, etc. has improved with each passing season. As I sit here in my office, my mind racing, my motivation off the charts, I feel comforted by the knowledge that I am not motivating my team, they are motivating me.

The Most Difficult Part

2011-10-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

Now we enter the most difficult part of the season, especially for the coach...the off-season. This is the time that a coach must release his players and let them go until January. For a control freak such as myself, this is a very tough time, but also a very valuable time. It is during this time that I think I've learned the most about our team, and myself. Sometimes you hold on so tight that you lose touch, and that can be especially true with coaching, at least here.

We will go as far as the guys on the team want to go. All of our success will come as a result of the time, effort, and passion put forth by the guys in our program, and as we enter our off-season, as frightening as it is for me, this is where we'll really learn about the makeup of our team. So far, I've been beyond impressed with the discipline and commitment of everyone on the team. They all seem genuinely motivated to get better. The freshmen have sipped right into this approach, and as a result, have made great strides up to this point. Every year, our practices get sharper, more efficient, and the speed at which our guys develop improves.

As a coach, to sit back and watch each person develop and work an improvement plan is gratifying. This whole operation is not about the coach motivating the players and pushing them towards a goal. This experience is about fostering passion and appreciation for the process of development. It is about aligning and separating what works from what does not, and getting a clearer picture that will help us see where we can go and how we can get there, as a team and as individuals.

We're in a beautiful place right now, and as I climb the walls in anticipation for the spring, I'll get to work planning our practices, workouts, etc., sharing this experience with the next generation of Hell Hens, and plotting the course for the future.

Sincerely,
Ben

Last Week of Fall Practice

2011-10-06T10:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we had one of our best practices in my nine years here, and not one tennis ball was hit. Because of the rain, we moved indoors into the racquetball courts. It was our first indoor practice since last winter, and a good opportunity to let the freshmen know how we get after it. I love these practices because we get so wrapped up making the most of our time on court that the rain allows us to shift gears and change our focus a bit. Going indoors also allows us the opportunity to appreciate playing tennis in an environment that can be easy to take for granted.

I've said it many times, but great practices don't have as much to do with what we're doing, but rather how we're doing it. If we get into a championship mindset, we can get great work done only practicing short court. Yesterday, we put together a practice that enabled us to work together as a team and break up and work as partners. The freshmen were paired with more experienced guys as everyone worked through a series of sprints, medicine ball work, and everything in between. The space that we work in is pretty small, and I always love how we utilize every inch of that space. We use the walkway for sprints, the benches for a variety of exercises, and the courts for skill work, sprints, medicine balls, etc.

Andrew and I were impressed with the intensity and consistent level that everyone displayed. It wasn't easy, but everyone got through it and learned a ton about themselves. They also learned that they are stronger as a group than as individuals. It is through the team that each guy will learn that they have more in the tank than they ever thought. I can't really single anyone out, as everyone pushed themselves. I must mention that Connor Sutton gets props for vomiting into trash can in front of the volleyball team and then getting right back after it. Hard work, discipline, teamwork, passion, and heart. That's how it's done boys. Hopefully back on court Friday to wrap up a stellar fall.

Sincerely,
Ben

Fall ITA Recap

2011-10-03T15:19:00.000-07:00

On Friday, we took to the courts for our ITA Regional, with 11 singles and 5 doubles entrants. The field of this 64 (singles) and 32 (doubles) draw was as deep as I've ever seen it. Traditional powers like CMS, Santa Cruz, Redlands, and Cal Lu were joined by improved programs Whittier and Chapman, as well as other SCIAC programs. In my nine years I've watched this tournament field get deeper and stronger each year.

The tournament gave us a great idea as to where we are right now, and where we will need to be come spring. Overall, I was very impressed with how we played, and the work we've put in paid off in many ways. At the same time, we definitely received good feedback and have a good idea as to what we need to work on until January. We were able to see three freshmen in action with Connor Sutton, Connor Hudson, and Mike Chang. Connor Sutton took on Julian Seneviratne, the 10 seed from Whittier. It was certainly a tough match-up for a first college match, and Sutton came out on the losing end, but showed me an ability to play at a very high level. If he can limit some unforced errors and mental mistakes, his ceiling is extremely high. In the consolation bracket, Connor took his lessons from the first match and applied it to in his next round. Taking on Connor Treacy of Cal Lu, Sutton pulled out a tough 3-6, 6-0, 10-4 win. In the next round, facing an opponent from his junior section, Connor rolled 6-2, 6-1 against Teddy Jones of Redlands. Unfortunately, he ran into the 7 seed, a Santa Cruz transfer student from D-I UCSB. Connor showcased his ability to push his opponent around the court, but wasn't able to consistently execute and lost 1 and 1.

Frosh Mike Chang shook off some early jitters in his first match to compete well against Bryce Bettwy of UC Santa Cruz, dropping the first set 7-5. Unfortunately, he ran out of gas in the second, dropping it 6-1. Mike learned that when he's sharp and fit, he can beat anyone, but right now he needs to improve his fitness, and with that mental toughness will become a weapon for him.

Connor Hudson showed some mental toughness in the first round, facing Chapman's #1 player Andre Herd. After dropping the first set 6-4, and facing match points in the second, Connor played fearless tennis, grabbing the second set in a breaker and rolling in the third, 6-0. This impressive first round win left Connor tired and with only a short break he had to take on Andre Halabi of UC Santa Cruz, the 16 seed. Last season, Andre lost only 3 DIII dual matches, and is a ferocious competitor who delights in wearing down his opponents. In the 90 plus degree heat, Connor showed up to play. Possessing the power to knock Halabi off the court, Conner grabbed the first set 7-5 and then rolled in the second, 6-3, placing him in the round of 16. The next morning, Connor faced CMS frosh Warren Wood, a five-star recruit and the 5 seed. Wood proved too tough, but Connor also learned that he can hang with anyone, and his ability to focus and close out points will determine how far he can go.

Joining Hudson in the second round was sophomore and 9 seed Chris Wiechert. In the first round, Chrisfelt out his opponent, Dylan Tevlin of Chapman. Not entirely comfortable and a bit jittery, Chris played well enough to grab the 6-4, 6-2 win. In the next round, he faced a dangerous opponent in Redland's Anish Nanda. Chris played well when he needed to and displayed toughness and determination en route to a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win. In the round of 16, Chris started off well against CMS frosh Cameron Bernhardt. Jumping out to a 4-1 lead, Chris looked sharp and capitalized on some early mistakes. Bernhardt made some adjustments and stormed back, grabbing the first set, 6-4 and then taking a his one break in the second to win 6-3. At times, Chris looked very sharp, but his opponent was able to keep Chris off the baseline. Overall a very good learning experience for Chris.

Max Sabel made a great run in the tournament, displaying an improved serve and volleys. In the first round, Max dispatched his opponent, Jamie Grossman of OXY 6-3, 6-1. In the next round, Max stayed focused despite some strange antics and an unconventional game from his opponent from Chapman. Max took the first set 6-4, and was leading 2-0 when his opponent succumbed to the heat. In the round of 16, Max took on one of CMS top freshmen, Nikolas Marino. Max jumped out to an early lead and grabbed the first set 6-0 before Marino could make any adjustments. In the second set, Marino mixed it up and made a solid adjustment, winning the match, 0-6, 6-3, 6-2. Max learned a ton from the frustrating experience and it will definitely make him stronger come spring.

Tommy cruised through the first round and in the second round didn't play his best, but good enough for the win. In the round of 16, Tommy found himself down a set to Cal Lu's Ray Worley. In the second set, Tommy found his timing and grabbed the set. In the third, Worley took the advantage and looked to be cruising to the win, up 5-2 serving. But exhaustion and heat got the better of Worley and the door opened just a crack. That was all Tommy needed as he broke and got back into the match, swinging the momentum solidly in his favor. That fifth game was the last Worley would win, as Tommy took the third set and the match, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5. The long round of 16 match took its toll on Tommy in the next round as he didn't have the juice to put up much fight against a very tough Alex Johnson of CMS, falling 6-3, 6-2.

Our doubles performances this weekend were very up and down. Max and Uday played brilliantly for much of the tournament, serving and moving effectively until they were serving for the match against the 2 seeds from UC Santa Cruz. At that point, the Cruz team made some great returns and our movement got a little soft. It was a frustrating loss for sure, but will help us be better in a few months. Mike Chang and Connor Sutton played some very strong doubles this tournament, leaarning to work with each other and displaying the teamwork and energy that will bring them success in the future. We will need that energy and focus as doubles will define our season.

I would like to offer a thank you to the Groth family and Connor Hudson's father for coming to the tournament. A special thank you to Joanne Wiechert for keeping the guys hydrated and fed. It is so great to have the presence of family at our team events.

As we enter our final week of practice this fall, we have a great deal to work on, but the focus and determination to make the best of every situation. I am going to enjoy these final practices of the fall.

Sincerely,
Ben

Fall ITA Tournament

2011-09-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

The list of players and alternates for the upcoming ITA West Region tournament have been released: http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=111023.

We nabbed a record 11 singles entries and 5 doubles entries. It's unfortunate that not everyone was able to get in the draw, but I am hopeful that everyone will get matches.

Tommy earned the 2 seed in singles in a very competitive field. Joining him as a seed in the singles are Chris (9) and Max (15).

In doubles, Tommy and Chris earned the 4 seed and Max and Uday grabbed the 8 seed.

Draws will be out tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon at the above link, and play begins Friday at 8 am at either the Pauley Tennis Complex (PP) or the Biszantz Family Tennis Center (CMS).

I will be tweeting results as I get them. Come on out if you can. This is a great tournament and it's a great chance to see how each of the guys have improved and to see the freshmen in action.

Sincerely,
Ben

Wednesday, September 21

2011-09-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

We had a very important practice yesterday. We worked on serves/returns, and net positioning. Aside from the general importance of those aspects of doubles, it was important to see the breaking point of our guys, the point at which we cease to make progress, get caught up in our own heads, and fail to see opportunity. The drills we did emphasized those things and really either drew guys to their breaking point, or enabled them to bare down. Andrew and I were impressed with how many guys were able to get into the drill and execute rather than internalize failure or make unnecessary adjustments. To me, it showed me the growth in some and the beautiful starting points in others. For those that struggled, it was an important marker and a place to focus.

After those drills, we went into some doubles sets and it was really exciting to watch the overall level and how everyone was able to translate what we just worked on. We're gearing up for the fall ITA tournament the weekend after next and are starting to figure some things out. So far, almost two weeks into the fall, Andrew and I are enjoying the hell out of our time on court working with such a committed and talented group.

After ITA's, our next competition is our season-opener on Feb. 4 at Azusa Pacific, and then the ITA National Indoor Championships, Feb. 24-26 at Gustavus Adolphus College in MN. At Indoors, we drew the overall 5 seed and will play 4 seed Kenyon in the first round. Some may remember that we played Kenyon in the final match at last year's Stag-Hen Invitational, falling 5-4. That was one of the matches that left a very sour taste in our mouths and has been a big motivator thus far this season. We are so excited to be in the Indoor field for the first time in program history and aren't just happy to be there...we want to win.

On Friday, we'll be continuing doubles and doing some match charting and videotaping.

Sincerely,
Ben

Singles Monday

2011-09-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

On Monday, we played timed singles sets and I feel very redundant. The level was impressive. The tone at practice is very conducive to focusing and getting better. We're doing a great job at creating a match-like environment at practice, which creates a great atmosphere to learn and improve. Almost every match-up was close, either on serve or one break, and some of the mistakes we're making are easily correctable. Connor Sutton and Kevin Wei played the point of the day. After a long, grinding rally, Connor took a short ball and sliced the approach to Kevin, who made a great pass. Connor seemingly was on it and stuck the volley, only to have KWei snap a dirty shoe-top pass by Sutton. It was such a high level of tennis for so early in the season.

Max Sabel is also reaching new levels with his tennis. His focus is unreal and everything is positive with him. He's not dwelling on mistakes and is such an intimidating force off of both sides. Tommy, rocking all new Fila gear and a Yonex racquet is also looking sharp, and the overall level has improved with the addition of Connor Hudson and a sharp reigning ROY in Wiechert, whose serve is much improved.

The fall tournament is fast approaching (Sept 30-Oct 2), and we're rounding into form. On Wednesday, we'll get back to work on dubs.

Sincerely,
Ben

Week 1

2011-09-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

We wrapped up our first week of fall practice on Friday, and I couldn't have asked for a better end to a great week. The weather was perfect, and the energy and tone were exactly what we need this season. We drilled for half of the practice and played doubles for the other half, and I was impressed at the intensity and focus of everyone. The busted through the drills and didn't take reps off. With that approach to practice, we will achieve great things, and for the freshmen to be able to practice at that level gives a coach great hope for the future. Moving into the doubles, I was really impressed with the overall level. Guys were active at net, putting balls down, and the quality of the points was very high. We still haven't set our doubles teams, so these opportunities are really helpful for Andrew and I to see what guys can do. There is no doubt that we are deeper than we've ever been, and it's exciting to see some frosh step in there and hang with the veterans. The vets are doing an impressive job of working with the frosh to get them up to speed. The communication and teamwork that we've seen thus far is inspirational.

Next week, we'll continue to do some singles work early, then move on to doubles and more drilling. By the end of the week, we'll have doubles teams and a preliminary ladder. Special shout outs go to both Kevin's (Wei and Prescott) for busting it in 3-ball. Good level.

Sincerely,
Ben

Introducing our New Assistant Coach

2011-09-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

I want to take this chance to introduce our new assistant coach, Andrew Thomson. Andrew is a 2010 Middlebury College grad and was a central component of the team's undefeated NCAA Team Championship season. Andrew played #1 doubles for four years for the Panthers, finishing his freshman and sophomore years ranked 5 in the country, his junior season ranked 10, and his senior year finishing ranked 3 in the nation. In addition to being a 4-time doubles All-American, Andrew finished his junior and senior season ranked 34 in the country in singles. This tennis resume is impressive, and four four years, I watched as he tore us apart in both singles and doubles, but more impressive, is his understanding and appreciation of the game, and the way that he carried and continues to carry himself. In the short time that he's been a part of our program, he has made a deep and immediate impact. Hopefully in the coming months and seasons, you will have the opportunity to meet Andrew, but in the meantime, know that our guys are feeding off of his experience, passion, energy, and knowledge.

Yours in Hellhen Tennis,
Ben

First Doubles Practice

2011-09-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our first doubles practice and our first practice with new assistant coach Andrew Thomson. It's so exciting to see everyone out there working so hard and yesterday was a great practice. We still have a long ways to go to be where I know that we will, but yesterday showed a glimpse not only of how we'll get there, but of how good we will be. Though Tommy wasn't able to make it because of some senior year commitments, the skill set out on the courts was the best I've seen since in the 9 years I've been here. Chris looked crisp all around, and his volleys and focus are much improved. Freshman Connor Hudson was really impressive, looking smooth off the ground, serving effectively, and surprisingly good with first volleys. These are just a few of the guys who looked great yesterday. I was also impressed with Max's focus, and the overall commitment by everyone to improve each day. We need to continue to work on our energy, keeping the vibe positive and focused, and we need to be more consistent. Flashes are nice to see, offering a glimpse of the future, but we need to make solid plays over and over. Friday, we'll be drilling and working on other components, and I am eager to get back on the courts. The fall tournament is only a few weeks away and we have a long way to go, but we're further along than we've ever been.

Sincerely,
Ben

Start of the Fall Season

2011-09-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

What a great day for a first fall practice. We had 14 guys out there on Monday. After a timed run, we got things rolling with some singles sets; an opportunity to see where we are and where the new guys stack up. I was impressed at how much time guys had been putting in during the weeks leading up to the start of practice, and it paid off in high-quality tennis. Despite some first-practice fatigue, the frosh were impressive in terms of their skill sets.

Mike Chang's defense and ability to counterattack were impressive, as was the bolt of lightning that is Connor Hudson's forehand. Kevin Wei's forehand is heavy and he's got great hands, and Connor Sutton's forehand is solid, as is his serve and slice.

For the veterans, it was great to see them out there and to see that they've put in quite a bit of work since the end of the season. Tommy looked like he was in top form and ready to reach new levels during his senior season. Chris impressed everyone, as he looks ready for the season. Max Sabel put in a ton of work this summer and looks very solid. Uday is shaking off his trip to India rust and is rounding into form and seems poised for a great senior year. Alex's volleys and serves are better than I've ever seen them and he'll be a hard guy to break this year. Joey worked hard on his game and it shows. He'll be a brute. KP looks more patient and ready to have a breakout year. Ramsey is fresh off of leading river rafting tours in CO and the forehand and serve are ready to go. I'm looking forward to a spring season when we can get Mike back after he recovers from summer back surgery, and Frankie returns from his semester abroad in Spain.

I can't wait to get after some doubles on Wednesday.

Ben

It Begins

2011-09-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

On Friday, September 9, we will meet as a team for the first time this fall. We'll start official practices on Monday. We'll be going MWF for 4 weeks, culminating with the Fall ITA tournament at the Claremont Colleges, September 30-October 2.

I've been chomping at the bit to start practicing ever since the end of our season. We accomplished so many great things last season, and we ended it feeling motivated to reach and own the next level. Congratulations to Tommy Meyer for his top 10 national singles ranking (#13 in doubles with Frankie not too shabby either), Quarterfinal performance at NCAA's, and another Singles All-American notch in his belt. Congrats also to Chris Wiechert, who was named the ITA West Region and National Rookie of the Year. There were so many great highlights from last season: Wins over Redlands, Williams, etc., appearance in the SCIAC Championship match, first NCAA appearance in 10 years, first top 10 finish since the heyday of the early 90's...

But, we're not fixated on the past. We're strengthened by it, motivated by the future, and living in the present. I have never seen such cohesion and drive in a team as I have seen this summer and so far this fall. The guys have been getting out there every day since campus opened. The current team dynamic is incredible considering that we have a crop of freshmen out there just learning the ropes. This means that the leadership has been second to none.

Lastly, we have a new assistant coach this year, Andrew Thomson. He's a 2010 Middlebury grad, and a key member of their undefeated NCAA Championship team. He's already had an impressive impact on our team and I know that he will be a huge addition to our program.

I will do my best this season to stay current with posting this year.

Sincerely,

Ben

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

This year's spring break was one of the most successful in our program's history, thanks to the guys hard work, and because of the support of all of the families that came down for a visit.

Our break started off with the Stag-Hen Invitational, an 8-team tournament hosted by the 5C's. As the 6 seed, we squared off against Trinity-TX (at that time ranked 9 in the country) in the first round. After falling behind 2-1 in doubles (we had 4 match points at #1 dubs, but ended up losing in a breaker), the Hens rallied in singles, taking 4 of 6 matches to win, 5-4. Chris Wiechert came up huge at #3 singles, winning in straights, 6-4, 6-1. Max Sabel was the next to follow, winning 6-3, 6-3 at 5 singles. Despite losing at #4 and #2 singles, PP refused to give in. Tommy rallied after losing the first set, to win 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 over #17 Max Frey. The match of the year thus far however, was the #6 singles match with Alex. Alex grabbed the first set 6-4, only to drop the second, 6-3. The third set was on serve the entire way, with his opponent Julio Benevides holding fairly easily, and Alex struggling but succeeding at holding. So many times Alex looked as though he might get broken, only to find a way to gut it out. So, with the match tied at 4 all, it came down the #6 singles...in a third set tiebreaker. As a coach, I have a hard time describing what it feels like having a match decided by one player, in such a crucial moment, but the feeling that I have is confidence. I had a sense of calm in that third set breaker, content with our fight if we lost, but believing strongly that Alex would pull it out. I've watched Alex grow as a person and tennis player, and I know just how much that match meant to him, and to have it on his racquet felt right. Well...Alex dominated the breaker, winning 7-2 and giving the Hens their first win over a top 10 team in more than a decade.

At this point, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the contributions that were made by the families of our guys. Joanne Wiechert and Chris' brother Stephen supplied us with Gatorade, granola bars, and a sandwich spread that kept us going. Thanks so much for everything. Later, that mantel would be picked up (though certainly not for the first time) by the Cohn family. Jeff and Teri, in addition to the constant supply of rice krispy treats, provided pizza for the team after our doubleheader with Tyler and Bowdoin. The Meyer's also provided chocolates for that doubleheader, so thank you all so much.

With little rest, PP had to turn around and take on #4 Emory University later on Friday. Running on fumes, and taking on a team that barely broke a sweat in their first round, the Hens came out firing and won 2 of 3 doubles matches to lead 2-1 after doubles. Tommy and Frankie notched a routine win over the #2 team in the country, and Max and Uday stepped up to take the win at 2. We started off strong in the first sets of singles, losing 6-4 @ 1, 6-4 @ 2, 7-5 @ 3, winning 7-5 @ 4, losing the first 6-4 @ 5 and 6. In the end, we ran out of steam in the second set, but not after Frankie dealt his opponent his first loss of the season, winning 7-5, 6-4 and bringing the final tally to 6-3, Emory.

With very little time to recover, the guys had to regroup and prepare for #7 Kenyon in the 3/4th place match at 10 am on Saturday. We proved resilient and ready to take on our third top 10 team in 24 hours, jumping out to a 2-1 lead in doubles. The 3 team of Alex and Chris dominated Kenyon, winning 8-4. Uday and Max, always needing attention, made it dramatic, winning 9-8 (4) in a breaker. In singles, Tommy was the first off the court, winning 6-4, 6-1 to give the Hens a 3-1 lead. Frankie Followed at #3 singles (Uday was out of singles with an injury) with a 6-4, 6-4 win. Needing only one more point, Kenyon mounted a furious comeback, taking #6 singles, 7-5, 6-3, #5 singles 7-6 (6), 6-1, and #4 singles, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. At 4-4, it all came down to #2 singles and Chris in the biggest match of his young career. Fighting until the end, Kenyon's Paul Burgin proved too strong on this day, capturing a 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4 win and the match 5-4. A tough match to lose, but that's saying so much of a team that entered the season #20 in the country.

Tuesday brought another doubleheader, with UT-Tyler in the morning, and #15 Bowdoin in the evening. Tyler was fresh off of a 6-3 win over #19 Whitman and feeling confident. The Hens responded in typical Hell Hen fashion, shutting the door on Tyler in the doubles, sweeping the Patriots, 8-5, 8-3, 8-5. That domination continued into singles, despite Uday Singh's absence in the singles lineup due to food poisoning. Overall, PP only lost one set in the morning en route to a 9-0 win.

In the evening, a confident but fatigued team took on Bowdoin, a team that we haven't beaten before, and to whom we lost 8-1 in 2010. Continuing their doubles dominance, the Hens once again swept the doubles, 8-3, 8-6, 8-6. In singles, the Polar Bears proved to be tough, winning in straights at 5 and 6 singles as well as 1 singles. The match would be decided in the middle of the lineup however. Max, playing up at 4 singles, rolled to a 6-1, 6-4 win, and Frankie recovered after losing the first, winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 to clinch the match. Chris, playing at #2, learned from his earlier matches, winning 6-2, 6-7 (3), 10-7 in a super breaker to bring the final overall score to 6-3 PP.

In their final match of spring break, the Hell Hens took on #24 Skidmore. This was the first match for Pomona-Pitzer with their newly earned #9 ranking, the first time in more than 25 years that the Hens have been ranked inside the top 10. Skidmore came out firing, capturing #3 doubles and putting up a great fight but falling at #2 and 3 dubs. Not playing their best, the guys did enough to go up 2-1 heading into singles. In singles, PP took control, rolling at #1 6-0, 6-2, #2 6-3, 6-2, #4 6-2, 6-4, #5 7-5, 6-3 and pulling it out in three at #6 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 to bring the final score to 7-2 in favor of PP.

Congratulations on a great spring break. It was such a great experience to see all of our hard work pay off, and it leaves us excited for the rest of the season. This week, we take on Lewis & Clark on Monday, #10 Williams on Tuesday, Salisbury on Wednesday, and #14 Trinity-CT on Saturday.

2011 Season Update

2011-03-08T11:08:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I last posted, but I thought that today would be a great day to get back up to date.

This evening, we face Haverford at 5:30 pm, our first match during the challenging month of March. To say that I've been impressed with the focus and work ethic of this team would be an understatement. Our early season results (3-0, 9-0 in doubles) are a direct result of the leadership and hard work that the guys on the team have put in. Whether it's been morning lifts, afternoon practices, intersquad matches, conditioning, these guys have embraced it and come out stronger because of it.

Hard work is essential, but you also need to have talent, and this years team is as deep a team as I've ever coached. With the core of our team back (All-American and All-Conference selection Tommy Meyer, All-SCIAC selection Uday Singh, Alex Groth, All-SCIAC selection Frankie Allinson, Max Sabel, Ramsey Bernard, Drew Cohn, Kevin Prescott, Joey Debruin, and of course Chase Dyer), we also have a few crucial additions. Seniors Alden Williford and 2009 All-SCIAC selection Nick Tagliarino return for their senior year, joining freshmen Chris Wiechert and Mike Meyer. Senior Ben Wienstein is back as a strength and fitness coach, transforming our morning workouts.

Through February, the Hellhens rolled through three straight nationally ranked opponents to open the season. After a season-opening 8-1 road win over no. 26 Whittier College, the Hens returned to Pauley to host no. 30 Brandeis, coming out on top with an identical 8-1 result. Next up was no. 27 Mary Washington, always a tough matchup. The Hellhens continued their strong play with a resounding 8-1 win.

The season continues on Tuesday night against Haverford, and then a slew of Spring Break matches. The 4th Annual Stag-Hen Invitational takes place March 11-12, with three dual matches in 24 hours. The Hens will host no. 9 Trinity (TX) at 10 am on Friday, and then either no. 4 Emory or Swarthmore at 3 pm.

Follow Hellhen Tennis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/grouseking47

Thoughts from the 2009 Aussie Open Verdasco/Tsonga Q-Final

2009-11-19T15:41:00.001-08:00

The ability to remain consistent in performance stems from the ability to stay in the present, to avoid being consumed by the successes or failures of the past. Avoiding the pitfalls of assumption (I should win, I'm better than...) is a daily challenge. The future is equally dangerous. To think of the end and not work towards it. To assume that you know what comes next. This is not scripted. Greatness comes from humility, is born out of immediacy, an absolute desperation to stay in the moment. Celebration is for the end, when all is said and done. There is neither time to hang your head, nor raise your arms, because the moment can be precious and fleeting, and only lasts...a moment, and for the remainder of your life, you will be pursuing the past, rather then content with it.

Update: Alumni Weekend '09

2009-03-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

As I begin to prepare for the week ahead and a challenging stretch of matches, I could not be more proud to be a part of the Hellhen tennis program. On Saturday, March 7, in addition to playing regional opponent Hardin-Simmons, we hosted our second alumni weekend. This year's event set the bar extraordinarily high for years to come. Thank you to everyone who participated in the event, and a special thanks to JR Hall, who took the reins and made this happen. As a coach, I spend quite a bit of time preaching about what is truly important with regards to the bigger picture, but to have such a vivid display this weekend really drove home the point. There is little question as to why I do what I do, and it is because of opportunities like this past weekend.

I was already anticipating this weekend's match-up with Hardin-Simmons, having had such a close match with them indoors in Texas in '07. With about 12 alums in the house, the atmosphere was electric. In doubles, we jumped out to early leads in all three matches. The HSU Cowboys quickly responded, coming back from 1-4 at two and three doubles. Sophomore Drew Cohn and freshman Alex Groth responded well, closing the door and winning 8-6 to get us on the board. At one doubles, senior Cam Taylor and freshman Uday Singh played solidly enough to hold off their opponents, 8-5. At two doubles, after jumping out to an early lead, momentum shifted away from us and we weren't able to steal it back, succumbing, 9-7.

Leading 2-1 after the doubles, and missing freshman #1 Tommy Meyer, the Hell Hens responded well jumping out to early leads at 2, 3, 4, and 5 singles. At 1 singles, Cam did his best to stay in the first set getting down 5-2 before storming back and taking the first set 7-6 (1). At 6 singles, freshman Ramsey Bernard got off to a slow start before waking up down 5-1. At that point Bernard locked down on his opponent, took the first set 7-5, and rolled in the next set, 6-2. Sophomore Nick Tagliarino made short work of his opponent and rolled to a 6--0, 6-0 win at 2 singles. Freshman Alex Groth took it to his guy 1 and 4, while junior Grant Friedman was a 6-3, 6-3 winner at 5 singles. At the 3 spot, freshman Uday Singh rolled to a 3 and 2 win. It wasn't a surprise that Cam was the last match on, but he rolled to a 6-2 second set after taking the first in a tiebreaker. The 8-1 win brings our record to 3-4 overall and 3-3 in D-III.

After a spectacular taco lunch, the alums took to the court, confident in mind if not body. It was an incredible feeling to see the current group battling it out against the "Legends." Unfortunately for the Legends, the highlights were few and far between. '07 doubles all-Americans Jeff Jablonski and Neil Patel were able to eek out a tiebreak win over Cam and Uday at one doubles, and Chris Croxton '03 was victorious in doubles with Drew Olian '08 and in singles over Ramsey. Despite a broken hand and a doubles partner who routinely landed service returns onto 6th street, Croxton showed a glimpse of his Sagehen past. In other matches, Samir Vora '03 wasn't able to match body with heart, falling to Ben Weinstein. In one of the more competitive matches of the afternoon, Erin Noble '07 battled to a tiebreak with Nick Tag before losing. Noble has promised a rematch and is currently putting together his training regimen of hiking in the woods and avoiding hitting tennis balls. JR Hall '04 jumped out to an early lead before fatigue and a focused frosh in Sam Strassman took their toll. Hall was able to hold on and close out the match. JB Wogan '06 was the other alumni winner, giving the Legends a total of 5 match wins; not enough to match the current squad's 10 wins.

Heading in to our spring break, and the toughest stretch of our schedule, Saturday provided us with a fresh dose of confidence and the backing of an incredible support network. Thank you everyone who helped make this past weekend possible, and thank you all for the hard work you have put in and continue to put in. Your commitment to this program and this journey to a National Championship inspires me every day.

2009 Season Begins

2009-02-17T12:07:00.000-08:00

After months of anticipation, the 2009 tennis season has begun. Without wasting any time, we started our season off against the #13 ranked team in the country and a SCIAC opponent in Redlands. It's always a challenge to take on Redlands, especially early in the season when we're just getting our bearings. At the same time, it proved a perfect opportunity to gauge ourselves and see where we need to improve. As if a nationally-ranked opponent isn't challenge enough for one day, we were also scheduled to drive out to UC Riverside to take on D-I University of Navada in the afternoon.

The Redlands match began very much in the Bulldog's favor, as they jumped out to early leads in all three doubles matches. We looked tight and jittery early on, which, with three freshmen in the doubles lineup isn't much of a suprise. We lost 8-1 at number two doubles as sophomore Nick Tagliarino and freshman Alex Groth struggled to get comfortable in the match. Senior Cam Taylor and Freshman Tommy Meyer began to dig their claws into the match, coming back from down 4-1, but they weren't able to take control of the momentum and lost 8-4. At three doubles, after a slow start, junior Grant Friedman and frosh Uday Singh stormed back to get on serve at 6-7. Following a series of deuces, Uday and Grant eventually succumbed and fell 8-6. It's clear that we still have quite a bit of work to do in doubles, but we have all of the tools to succeed at the highest levels.

Things started off much better in singles, as Tommy Meyer (2 singles) and Nick Tag (3 singles) each captured their first sets without much struggle. Cam Taylor (1 singles) led 5-2 before pulling out a 7-6 (7-5) first set tiebreaker. At 4 singles, Alex Groth battled but fell 7-5, 6-1 to a guy who played one singles for Redlands in 2008. Sophomore Alden Williford played intelligently, but wasn't able to pull out the win at five singles. At six, Grant Friedman battled back to win the second set at 6-2 after losing the first set 6-4, but wasn't able to pull out the win, falling 6-2 in the third. After capturing the first set, Nick Tag never looked back and bageled his opponent in the second set for the win. Tommy Meyer rolled in the second set, cruising to a 6-2, 6-3 win at two. At one singles, after losing the second set, Cam Taylor pulled out a gutsy third set match tiebreaker, 12-10.

With little time to waste, we hopped into a van and headed out to UC Riverside to take on D-I University of Nevada. It was a great chance for freshmen Uday Singh and Ramsey Bernard to get some experience at 5 and 6 singles respectively.

Because we were playing on a D-I site, we played with their rules. Mainly, this meant that we were using the 7-point scoring system (1 pt for doubles), and that lets are played. We started the match playing singles first. Unfortunately, Nick Tag had to retire after the first set because of a strained quad, but overall results were impressive, especially considering that it was the first day of the season and the second leg of a back-to-back. After losing the first set, 6-0, Tommy Meyer captured the second 6-3 and jumped out to an 8-3 super-t lead before falling 12-10 at 2 singles. At 5 singles, Uday was on serve until the final game of the first set and fell 6-4, 6-2 displaying flashes of the big game we all know he has. At six, Ramsey Bernard fought hard and played intelligently before losing 6-1, 6-3. When he took control of points, he was able to break his opponent down with his forehand. At 4 singles, Alex Groth displayed his huge serve and forehand, keeping his opponent on his heels and applying an impressive amount of pressure for a freshman in only his second collegiate match. While we weren't able to get on the scoreboard in this match, we were able to prove to ourselves that we can play with absolutely anyone and the experience leaves us hungry to improve for this season.

I am not interested in putting together a weak schedule and propping up our win/loss record. I am more interested in challenging our guys to improve every day, and to view themselves as champions. By starting the season against the #13 ranked D-III team in the country and a D-I opponent, I want our guys comfortable being uncomfortable. We will not be intimidated by any opponent, nor will we look for excuses. We do not seek to define ourselves by the strength or weaknesses of our opponents. Our resolve is internal and our struggle is noble. We have no interest in a false sense of accomplishment, and these tests and challenges early in the season will help us as the season progresses.

Overall, while we have a lot of work ahead of us, we were competitive and fought hard from beginning to end. As we grow more comfortable on the court and improve in doubles, we will have the opportunities to beat anyone in the country. Our journey began successfully today.

On the Value of Teamwork

2008-12-02T11:52:00.001-08:00

Hey Guys,

I've been composing this correspondence in my head for the past week or so. Every night as I'm heading home from work, these thoughts bombard my head and beckon to be let out of their cage. Well, here it is, now that I'm hopped up on enough caffeine that I can't keep thoughts of a National Championship out of my mind.

These are the unspoken elements of championship teams. These are the qualities that separate the champions from the merely talented. These qualities are what keep outsiders scratching their heads as to why some teams always "have it" and others can never seem to figure "it" out.

I have an incredibly clear idea as to how we will compete and win a national championship. Every year, my resolution grows firmer, and my belief stronger. These elements must be in place for such a thing to be possible.

Belief. There are so many people out there, for one reason or another, that seek to limit the dreams of others. The bottom line is that if you do not believe that such a thing is possible, it simply is not. I am not advocating delusion. Far from it. I work every single day of my life to make such a thing possible, and believe with every fiber of my being, that such a thing is possible. I am aware of what it takes, and am willing to go to the ends of the earth. In short, I believe. More importantly, you must believe. You must believe every day that you are out there. This is how we get better every day, working towards a goal...to make this reality. Our belief is all that matters. We're in the middle of it and nobody knows what we're capable of like we do, and we believe. We are not struck down by roadblocks, we are merely emboldened.

Teamwork. This cannot happen alone. Just as I rely upon you to do the work, buy in, take ownership of these things, and continue to improve, you must do the same with each other. As we move forward into the season, you will struggle and you will break through. You will have good days and not-so-good days. You will have days when everything comes easy, and others when the simplest thing is a struggle. Mediocre teams have more bad days than good, and are at the whim of their emotions. They are pulled down by those who struggle and the entire team suffers. Good teams, and those with potential, are inconsistent. They never seem to get on the same page. One guy struggles, while another has the day or match of his life. They cannot seem to put it all together at the same time, and wait for the magical time when it all just "clicks." It never does, and they're left thinking about what could have been. Great teams know that their success lies not just in bringing their best every day, even when they don't feel their best, it means their teammates must do the same. When everyone goes out of their way to be their best, the collective level rises together. We've talked about this level in practice, but in order to be great we must OWN this level, day in and day out. This is committing to being better. I've mentioned that this is a choice, and it is. What are you doing right now? It is not about doing your best, or working hard when you feel like it, or motivation strikes. IT IS ABOUT CULTIVATING MOTIVATION, AND MAKING THE TIME. You will never regret making time to push yourself, mentally, emotionally, or physically. Know that you are not alone. Show that you are not alone. Work together. Bring people together. Take a chance and lead. Do not wait to be led. If everyone waited, we would not move. We all have a lot going on. We're all under stress. We all have deadlines, and could use more sleep. WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER. THIS IS WHAT MAKES US STRONG. Tennis is no different. It is about managing stressful situations with calm and dignity. It is about being your best under less than ideal circumstances. That is greatness. The willingness to take on challenges, to rise to the occasion. Look at our schedule. Do not be overwhelmed. See challenges everywhere you look, and salivate. The opportunity for greatness presents itself on a daily basis. Greatness is no accident; it is cultivated with care, understanding, and with teamwork.

I alone cannot win a National Championship, but we can. Do we have the talent? Yes. Do we have the foundation? Yes. Do we have the courage to believe, and the dedication to put in the work when others would not? That's not up to me...

Looking around at all of the elite teams in this country, you can say this about them all: They __________ better/more/harder than anyone else in the country. What do we do?

I love you guys, and am climbing up the walls in anticipation of this season.

Sincerely,
Ben

On the Subject of Expectations

2008-12-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

Expectations, Loving the Struggle, Results vs. Processes, and Goal-setting

This discussion regarding expectations, process vs. result-oriented thinking, and goal-setting will impact you far more than anything you will do or have done on the tennis court. This is the foundation for your approach in tennis, as well as everything that you will do in your life. If you think that I am being obtuse or grandiose, I am not. I approach this from a position of experience, both personal and shared. I approach this with you not because I want to force-feed this down your throat. I am not here to MAKE you do anything. This is all about choice and control. Choosing the path you wish to take. Controlling that which is within yours to control, and letting the rest go.

Expectations
My only real expectation (the only thing I can guarantee) is that you will fail…on some level. You will lose. You will fail to live up to your own unfair expectations. You will miss shots that you should have made. These failures are guaranteed and essential. These are the building blocks to success and appreciation. Aside from that, you will learn from these failures and ultimately embrace them. You will become stronger, and they will lead to success. You will win matches, hit great shots that you didn’t have before. You will learn to understand the value of and love the struggle.

The Struggle
This is the line that we as athletes embrace. It is the moment where we can win or lose. Ultimately this is why we play. If the outcome were predetermined, competitiion would be pointless. We pursue moments that have the potential to define us as champions. We put ourselves on the line so that we become comfortable being uncomfortable. We are tightrope walkers and we love that if we lose focus, if we allow our minds to drift, think forward or backward, we will fall. That moment where it can go either way and there’s a limited amount within our control. We can trust ourselves and the work we’ve put into pursuing this moment. We can trust our training and embrace fear and go for what we want without regards for failure, knowing that failure is there to make us better. We can choose to run towards winning and not away from losing. The struggle is something that takes place in our bodies, our minds, and our emotions. It is the decision to get up when we’re tired and run the extra mile. The decision to take a new approach when the old is yielding the same results. It is the choice we make when we are tired of allowing our frustration to control our outcomes. Whether it is 6:30 am or ten at night, the struggle is the same. Whether you are surrounded by teammates, a crowd, or on your own the struggle is the same. IF YOU DREAD WHAT YOU DO YOU WILL NOT DO IT WELL. IF YOU LOVE IT YOU WILL OWN IT; appreciate it. If you love to win, you will pursue victory. If winning means learning from your losses, you will learn to appreciate losing. If pushing yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically means you will be stronger, smarter, faster…better, you will learn to appreciate and love pushing yourself. The Struggle is any time that you can choose to pursue the hard way rather than the easy way. And you will love The Struggle.

Results
What are results, but reflections of the process (es) that preceded? They (results) can be deceptive and you may have limited control over them, but there is always much to learn. You never want to overlook results. If you were consistently losing to players of a certain level, it would be foolish to continue to consider yourself their equal or superior. They are better until the results prove otherwise. At the same time, situations may dictate results. As a coach, I can put you up against a player better than you and you will lose. I can do the same with someone far worse and you will win. Winning is not a reflection of you, nor is losing. It is not your identity. If results are a part of your identity, you will suffer and you will struggle. Instead, focus on the process. These things are far more valuable and telling, and you have greater control of this. Look critically at your results. Analyze what worked, what didn’t. Take into account the details between the lines, but don’t dismiss results all together. There is valuable information that you can incorporate into your training (process). You are constantly being provided feedback. The choice to listen is yours, as is the choice to disregard. This is an important part of learning and improving. Study your results with a critical eye and see how you can improve the process in order to achieve the results you seek. How have you been practicing? Have you been pushing yourself and your game to the next level? Are you getting stronger? Are you using your time to the best of your ability? When faced with a challenge, do you embrace it? When faced with the easy way and the hard way, which do you take? Are you obsessed with winning, yet consistently find yourself on the wrong end of matches? Is this approach working? The process is simply the “how” you got to be where you are in this moment.

Goal-Setting
What do you want? Are your goals attainable? How much of your goals are within your control? It is so important when setting goals to be aware of what is and what is not in your control so that you don’t follow the wrong path or get knocked off the right path when things don’t go according to plan. Once you’ve set your goal (the mountain top), make sure that you clear a path. These are smaller, more attainable goals that will help move you in the ultimate direction of your goal. In order to compete for a national championship we must establish a foundation of trust, commitment, hard work, and love. Once established, we have to learn to focus not on results, but the process of moving towards our goal. We must remember, and remind ourselves constantly to stay on the path, and to continue to improve our foundation. This is our culture, and it reflects our goal(s) and the people working towards them. We have to continue to get better as people and players; to never stagnate; to never accept the status quo. We have to bring in better and better players that will enhance our program on many levels, and work towards and share in our goal. We must look within when our results don’t match our ambitions. What can we do better? These are all smaller goals that point us towards the larger one. What are your goals? They may change as you change, or as you become more aware. There is nothing wrong with change. Be prepared for change. Don’t get caught up in expectations. Don’t allow rigidity to define you. Seek flexibility and happiness.

I know this will be a great year. I will do everything in my power to make it so. I understand that there will be anger, frustration, disappointment, heartbreak, and loss during this journey. I am not naïve. I am not unrealistic. This will be our program's finest year. I will learn a ton. You will learn a ton. We will develop. We will struggle, but we will love the struggle. This isn’t about making outrageous or bold claims of victory. Those serve no purpose other than to set us up for disappointment. We always want to win, and we will work hard every day to achieve that result. Our only disappointment comes when we fail to find value in every moment; when we see winning as the only value. We pursue victory out of love, not fear.

Living in the Moment
Down 2 sets to 1, and 5-6 in the fourth set breaker in the finals of Wimbledon, Roger Federer was faced with a choice. Miss and you lose. Make it, you still might lose. Go for it, accept that you may miss or lose, but do it on your own terms. Nadal rips an approach out wide to Federer’s backhand. Nadal closes hard as Federer tracks the ball. Without a second’s hesitation or doubt, of which there is ample reason (see Federer’s ’08 season and record against Nadal), Federer uncorks a backhand pass up the line for a winner. There was no moment to think. No moment to explore the consequences. A;; that existed in that moment was a split-second impulse, the result of years of training, hundreds of missed shots and an unflappable belief in self.

The 2008 Season Recap

2008-05-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

May 23 and I've just now been presented with the opportunity to post our 2008 season recap. Not too bad for a year that some might have considered a "rebuilding" year. True, we graduated 5 of our top 6 players from last year, and true, the 5 that we graduated were incredibly valuable members of this program. They did perhaps more for this program than any one class before them. At the same time, JR and I had the feeling that the 2008 season would be an incredible one, and we weren't particularly frightened by the prospect of bringing in such a large crop of freshmen. True to form, this team improved at a remarkable pace, and continued to improve as the season drew to a close. The phrase that was repeated most often this season was, "get better every day." Each member of the 2008 Hellhens took that to heart, and our culture and foundation has been enriched.

Well, I've recently returned from Lewiston, Maine, the site of the 2008 Division III National Championships at Bates College. This was also the site of the 2004 Championships. It was great to return to the site of my first experience at nationals. This year, junior Cam Taylor represented Pomona-Pitzer as a singles participant. I arrived early to the tournament to serve on the NCAA Committee, so I was there to watch the team tournament as well. The 8 teams that advanced out of their respective regionals converged on Maine for a three day tournament to decide the team national champion. It always serves as fuel for the fire to see these teams compete, and I end this season even more motivated to prepare our program to compete in this environment.

For the singles tournament, the top 8 players from each region, 32 in all make up the draw. The top two players in each region are seeded, and the rest are randomly selected to fill out the rest of the draw. Cam entered the tournament as the number 8 player out of the West, and was not ranked in the top 50 in the country. As this tournament drew to a close, Cam was one of only two players in the region to advance out of the first round, and in currently ranked in the top 16 in the nation in singles. This is quite impressive considering that he has only played in 6 tourmanents in his life (3 Ojai's and 1 nationals).

In the first round, Cam drew the number one player from Depauw, Kortney Keith. Battling it out on court number 1, Cam got down 0-4 in the first set before calming down and rallying back. He lost the first set in a breaker despite having chances, but took control of the second set and won it 6-3. It looked as though he might cruise in the third set, but Keith made some adjustments and began to attack the net at every opportunity, pressuring Cam and taking away his rhythm. Both players struggled to hold serve as the score see-sawed back and forth. Returning down 5-4, Cam broke Kortney and then took a 6-5 lead. Serving at 6-5 in the third, Cam was broken to send the match into a decisive third set breaker. It wasn't a pretty match, and the final breaker was a fair enough representation of the entire match. Toward the end of the third set, Keith began to cramp, but Cam was unable to take advantage as his opponent's attacking strategy shortened the points. Up 6-3 in the breaker, Cam double faulted twice to put the breaker back on serve at 6-5. In a sad but fitting end to the match, Keith double-faulted on match point to hand Cam the win, a trip to the round of 16, and All-American status.

In the second round later that day, Cam faced the #14 ranked player in the country, Chris Fletcher of Methodist University. Cam came out loose and was able to absorb and neutralize the big groundies of Fletcher. This match provided glimpses of Cam Taylor 4.0, as he was moving well and striking an even heavier and better ball. It wasn't until he was on serve 3-4 that he began to feel some of the effects of the three and a half hour match earlier in the day. Serving, he began to feel some initial cramping in his legs. More than anything, it affected his concentration and he was broken and lost the first set 6-3. In the second set he wasn't able to find the loose strokes of the first, and lost 6-2.

This is the first time since 2004 that a Hellhen has advanced out of the first round at nationals, and the first time since 2003 that non-senior has qualified for the tournament. It's easy to say that it was an incredible season for Cam, but in reality he merely represents our team. One of the best characteristics of this years squad was that the identity of this team was collective, rather than relying on a few stellar players. It's alway wonderful when one player excels, but he merely serves to represent the rest of his teammates, because without them, nothing would be possible. Looking forward to 2009 and beyond, the Hellhen Tennis Program has never been in better shape. The contributions of departing seniors Michael's Powell and Carlson, Blake Phillips, and Drew Olian will be felt for quite some time. Their leadership and compassion have set the bar for those that follow in their footsteps. I look forward to having them join our growing family of alumni.

I would also like to welcome some new Hellhens into the family. Alex Groth, Ramsey Bernard, Uday Singh, and Tommy Meyer. Welcome. We look forward to having you on campus in the fall.

Sincerely,
Ben

Ojai

2008-04-28T07:36:00.000-07:00

We've just returned from the 108th Ojai tournament this past weekend. For those not familiar with the Ojai tournament, it's one of the oldest and largest individual tournaments in the country (www.ojaitourney.org). We haven't been particularly successful in the past few years, as many of our guys have struggled in non-dual matches. This year was quite different, and a sign of things to come. JR and I have known that this year was special from the beginning, and this tournament only further exemplified this. I've mentioned before that we graduated 5 of our top 6 guys from last year. There were probably some who felt that this would be a rebuilding year. After all,it took us 3 years to develop into a good team last year, and our recruiting class, while strong, wasn't expected to hold a candle to that of schools like CMS. Well, we again made it to the conference semifinals this season, avenging last years tournament lost to Occidental. We took the toughest road possible this year both with our overall schedule (I defy anyone to find a tougher schedule), and our SCIAC tournament road (Oxy, CMS, Cal Lu). Junior Cam Taylor continues to amaze, as does a youth movement anchored by freshmen, Nick Tag and John Williford, and sophomore Grant Friedman. Thanks to incredible (and I don't use that word lightly) leadership from our seniors (Drew Olian, Blake Phillips, Michael Powell and Carlson) and Taylor, the development and chemistry this year has been unparalleled.

So, heading into Ojai, this group looked to break the curse of the past few seasons, yet did so with zero expectations and a commitment to appreciating the opportunity. We had five guys in the singles draw of Division III, and three in the Independent (NAIA and division III players) draw. In doubles, we had three teams in the D-III draw and one team in the independent. Last year, we only had one player (Cam) advance to the second round before we were sent home after the first day. This year was quite different. Cam started us off with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Chapman's Leland Buttle. Nick Tag followed that up with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win over Linfield's Wes Gabrielson. On the independent side, Blake Phillips won his first round in three. Tag fell to Max Liberty-Point in the second round, 6 and 1 but left the tourney hungry to improve his results for next year. Cam took on Mario Backes of La Verne in the next round and won 6-0, 6-1, securing a spot on Saturday at Thatcher school.

In doubles, Michael Powell and John Williford got on the board in the independent draw. On the D-III, Nick Tag and Drew Cohn advanced to the second round with an 8-5 win over the team from Puget Sound. Cam and Drew Olian won their first round 8-5 over the three team from Cal Lu. We didn't have as much luck in the second round of doubles as both teams fell.

Cam's round of 16 opponent was 2007 NCAA singles semifinalist and six seed Brian Pybas. Cam jumped out to an early lead behind the strong vocal support from his teammates, and took the first set 6-4, prompting Pybas to shatter a racquet and incur a point penalty to start off the second set. In the second, Cam continued to look strong and dictate from the baseline, and a demoralized and struggling Pybas couldn't get a foothold in the match. At break point, 4-1, Pybas hit a second serve wide to go to 5-1. When he questioned the call, he used a verbal obscenity which resulted in his second penalty, thus securing the 6-4, 6-1 win for Cam.

In the quarters, Cam took on UCSC's Jeff Fong, his second Slug lefty of the day. As it reached midday, the sun beat down on the court, providing little if no shade, and it certainly affected both players. Cam proved more solid, dominating Fong, 6-3, 6-0 for a trip to the semi-finals against Redlands number one Matt Leibman.

Moving to historic Libby park for the semi's, Cam laced it up at 9 am against Leibman, with Cam pulling out the early break and going up 2-0. While Cam was able to get out to a 5-2 lead in the first, Leibman battled back to take the first set to a breaker. In the breaker, Cam stole back the momentum and the first set. In the second set, Cam jumped out to a 3-0 before he started to cramp. He was able to gut it out and double flip to go up 5-0 and take a medical timeout. Serving 5-0, Cam jumped out to a 30-0 lead before Leibman battled back for the break. Up 5-1, Cam took advantage of a couple uncharacteristic Leibman mistakes and then pulled out an incredible up the line pass to give him match point. An errant lob by Leibman gave Cam entry into the Ojai singles final, and Pomona-Pitzer their first-ever men's finalist.

In the final, Cam was placed on court 2 at upper Libby, right next to the Pac-10 Men's singles final and then the Open Men's singles final. Facing UC Santa Cruz's (his third Slug of the tournament) Max Ortiz, both players came out very tight, trading breaks until 5-5, when Max held and broke to take the first 7-5. The second set wasn't much better, with Max holding on 6-3 for the title. While Cam has chances to win the first set, it was an incredible experience and environment, and one that will hopefully serve as a springboard to future success. This was Cam's first experience in the finals of a tournament at any level, and he showed great poise and skill that will benefit both he and our program in the future.

I'd really like to thank the Taylor's for making the trip to support Cam. They were an incredible help all weekend long. I'd also like to thank the Cohn family for all of their help and support. A special thanks to Jeff Jablonski for making the trip to Ojai to watch the semi's and finals, and warming Cam up.

In other news, I'd like to welcome Uday Singh into the Hellhen family. Uday, who just reached the CIF doubles quarterfinals at Ojai, has committed to Pomona for next fall. We're looking forward to having Uday, Ramsay Bernard, and Alex Groth join the program next fall. We're still waiting to hear on a couple other great prospects and I'll keep you posted.

SCIAC's Update and Dual Season Recap

2008-04-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

We wrapped up our dual match season on Saturday, falling to Cal Lutheran in a tough 7-2 decision. Cam Taylor and Nick Tag both won their singles matches at 1 and 2 respectively. Tag won 3 and 5, and Cam Pulled out a 7-6 (5), 3-6, 18-16 win.

This tourney was a great chance to see how such a young team would hold up to the end of the season grind of 3 matches in two days, and our road was a tough one. As the 5 seed going in, we had to take on the 4 seed in the first round. Our energy and confidence was high as we looked to retaliate for an earlier loss to Oxy this season. We got off to a shaky start, looking tentative in the dubs, and losing 2 of three. Cam and Drew "Giggity" Olian won at one dubs to at the very least improve on our dismal previous showing in dubs. Heading into the singles down 2-1, the Hens showed the poise and resilency that we've preached all season. Cam, Tag, and John Williford were efficient in quickly giving us four points at 1, 2, and 4 singles. Cam won 2 and 3, Tag went 2 and 2, and John roped his opponent 2 and 0. At three singles, the Giggipult fell to Oxy's best player(for some reason playing 3), Vince Karlen 3 and 0. Up 4-3 with two matches on, the match came down to #5 Grant Friedman and #6 Michael "Kung" Powell. Powell was a last-minute subsitution in the lineup, and fought hard, falling in the first set 7-5, but stepping up his level in the second to even it at a set apiece (6-4). Grant jumped out to a quick 6-2, 3-0 lead before fatigue set in and he let his opponent back into the match. Battling the flu, the heat, and an opponent with renewed confidence and momentum, Grant lost the second set 6-4 and looked finished heading into the third set. Powell showed senior poise heading into the third, and his energy, along with the crowd of teammates, parents, and friends, sparked Grant to open the third with a solid hold. Forcing his opponent into a long service game, Grant looked on the verge of an early break, but wasn't able to crack the kids serve. The long game took a toll on Grant, and he handed his opponent the break. Down 2-1, and then 3-1, Grant mounted an incredible comeback. As a coach, this is what the job is all about. It's both incredibly frustrating and totally exhilerating to watch this kind of match. There's little that I'm able to do but trust in my guy to find a new level. With the match on the line, and Powell staying on serve in the third, Grant found that new level, and absolutley grabbed the momentum to reel off 5 straight games and clinch the match. The emotions ran high as players stormed the court to an exhausted Baby G. It was our young team's first taste of such a competitive nationals-like atmosphere, and they held up with incredible confidence and poise. JR and I watched as a team that graduated 5 of our top 6 players from last year made it's way back to the conference semi's and a match-up with top seeded CMS.

I decided to rest Grant for the CMS match, and moved our three dubs team up to two. Garrett and John stepped in at three. In singles, Blake moved into the lineup at 5, with Powell still in at 6. We came out much sharper in the doubles, but still lost all three. We've been getting better and better as the year's progressed, and looking into next year, I'm very excited about our doubles. At 1 dubs, Cam and Drew fell 8-5, despite breaking Gui Schils' serve twice. They looked better than the morning, and Cam played his best doubles of the season. In the end, CMS' 1 team avenged their earlier loss to Cam and Drew. At 2, Tag and Drew Cohn played MUCH better, but eventually fell 8-4. At three, John and Garrett lost in a tiebreaker, showing the depth of our doubles.

In singles, while we didn't get any wins, we did have a couple great matches. Cam fell to SCIAC Player of the Year and the #17 player in the nation, Larry Wang 4 and 2. At two singles, Tag served for the first set 5-4, but fell 7-5. In the second, he stepped up, winning 6-1, and then lost in a third set super-t. I would have loved to watch him play it out. He'd actually played CMS' two Eric MacColl earlier in the season when they were both at 4. MacColl win the first meeting 1 and 1, so this showed just how much Tag has improved this season. At 5 singles, after falling in the first set 6-1, Blake found his rhythm against four star recruit Russell Brockett, losing the second 7-5. One of the guiding principles of our program is improvement and development. It is really important to us to improve EVERY DAY, and to learn from every opportunity. JR and I were both amused and impressed that a team with only two 2 star recruits (Powell and Williford) could push 3 and 4 stars. To have Tag (no stars) push and acutally outscore 3 star MacColl (11-9) lets us know just how much we are getting better. With such a young team, we are confident that the future is looking frighteningly bright. Junior Cam Taylor, who plays on the soccer team in the fall, played 7 singles and three doubles on our team at this point last year, and went from that to 1st Team All-SCIAC. Frosh Nick Tag, who moved from 5 in the lineup at the beginning to 2, was named to the All-SCIAC 2nd Team.

This week we prepare for Ojai, trying to break a 4 year-old curse placed on us by former player and current AC John Robert Hall III. Hopefully by making a pilgramage to the spot where JR and his partner Dave Frankel ('04) fell back in '04, we'll be able to cleanse the slate. Cam, Tag, Drew O., and John will be competing in the D-III singles draw, and Cam/Drew and Blake/Grant will be playing in the doubles portion. Powell and Grant will be playing in the Independent singles, and Garrett/John, and Tag/Drew C. will be playing in the dubs portion.

Welcome

2008-04-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

I'm opening up this forum to keep Hellhen alums, family members, and current and future members connected with the Hellhen Tennis Program. I will do my best to post information and updates on the team.

We're closing in on the 2008 season, my 5th as coach, and I am constantly amazed at just how quickly time flies. This years team developed and improved more than any group before them, and I am excited for the future. As we speak, we're making the final preparations for SCIAC's, with Occidental tomorrow at 9 am. Oxy's been a much-improved team over the past 3-4 years, and they've beaten us the past two matches. I am confident that we're ready for the Tigers, as we've improved our consistency and positioning in doubles, and we're a much more confident group in singles. As for results...we'll know more tomorrow, but I don't doubt for a second that we'll be ready...