THE 2012 TEAM

Our team is comprised of 17 very good players. Unfortunately, when we get to NCAA's, only 8 can play. This can be incredibly frustrating for players and coaches. Everyone wants to play and feel like they are contributing. I would even go as far as to say that we could field another team that would be ranked among the top 20 teams is Division III. One of the hardest challenges in my job, is to keep everyone motivated and feeling like they are apart of something bigger than themselves. It's not easy and more times than not, I fail at this endeavor. My focus 99% of the time goes to the players that are in the lineup, to the detriment of the guys who are not in that mix.

I have forever tinkered with the idea of fielding a smaller team, but the one example that keeps me from doing this is Will Humphreys. Will is the only walk-on I have ever had at Emory. Will didn't play his first 2 years and was a 2 star recruit on tennisrecruiting.net(nice pic of him). Will, is currently, one our best doubles players, an NCAA All-American, and one of our captains. Will's patience and perseverance is truly admirable and inspiring for everyone who is struggling to make the lineup.

It amazes me how hard these guys work who are not currently in the lineup, and continue to bleed for Emory tennis, considering they are at a rigorous academic instituiton with many different options they could pursue, but they are committed, and more importantly, they are very good and will one day have a chance to take us over the top if they stay focused and hungry.

Nick Szczurek:
Nick played 4 last year, and now, he is currently, waiting for his chance to be in the lineup. Nick, on any D-III team, would be in the lineup. Lately, I have been so proud of his attitude and the way he is battling. Nick, is slowly becoming a leader, and also, a player to watch later in the season. Nick, is one our most talented players at Emory.

Dylan Wright:
Dylan is more passionate about the game then most. Dylan is the type of player that every coach wants on his team. Low maintenance, talented, and would run through walls if he was in the lineup. Dylan's game has progressed over the years and continues to be very close to the lineup. I have a great deal of respect for him, and I appreciate the fact that he never takes a day off.

Eric Rothschild:
Eric has endured a great deal over the past 3 years at Emory. I have so much respect for Eric in who the person he has become today. Eric is extremely talented, and like Dylan, is close to fighting for a spot. Eric has matured a great deal, and hopefully, he will keep battling. One of my greatest joys as a coach is watching our players mature over their tenure at Emory.

Ayush Bajoria:
I have said this many times, but I consider Ayush, to be one of the best doubles players I have ever had in my 20+ years of coaching. Ayush is amazingly talented and extremely fun to watch. My only hope is that Ayush realizes this and works to fulfill the potential that he has shown.

Jackson Isaacs:
Jackson is the guy I want to be next to in a war. Jackson has the heart of champion and is growing to be a great leader. Jackson at a young age overcame a major health issue and continued to play tennis, while many parents would have told him to quit. Last year, Jackson was doing a timed-mile-n-half, and had an accident on the track. He puked to the side and kept going. This episode did me zero favors with the track coach, but showed me what kind of heart he has.

Eric Seidelman:
Eric is also very close to going to a new level in his game. Eric is incredibly talented, like most players on our team, but he has the build and game to be very good. We are trying to get him to be a little nastier and consistent on the court. Eric, like Jackson, is growing to be a future leader of this team.

Tyler Gadbois:
Yesterday, before practice, I was walking to the courts and saw one player hitting a basket of serves by himself. I was so impressed to see Tyler working on his game by himself. This speaks volumes to Tyler's passion to get better, and there is no doubt in my mind, that he will eventually be a contribor, like Will.

Nazar Bilukha:
Nazar, joined our team in January. Nazar has proven to be the ultimate team player. He was so happy to be apart of our roster that he strung everyone's racket as a chance to say thank you. Nazar, is another player that would bleed for this team and I sincerely appreciate his presence and work ethic.

A team is comprised of more than just it's stars. In order to win championships, everyone needs to sacrifice and have the team as it's #1 priority. I have been blessed this year to have a group of individuals who understand this fact, and more importantly, a team, that realizes what a golden opportunity we have been given.