Winning 2 out the 3 NCAA championships and going undefeated was obviously incredibly gratifying, but what made that year special was the group of young men that represented Emory University.
The 2013 team carried the burden of the past years accomplishments and also the loss of 4 significant members of the 2012 team. The 2013 season was definitely a struggle and it was also one of our lower finishes, but in some ways, it was equally gratifying. Chemistry can either make or break your season and this was an element that we struggled with for 2/3 of the year. One of my most proud moments coaching was at our UAA championship. Our team played Washington University in the finals. This was the match that our team became a team and even though we lost 5-4, watching all the members of our team support each other through this epic match made the process all worth the while.
We ended up losing to Amherst in the NCAA quarter-finals in a gut-wrenching match. It was not the ending we had anticipated, but the experience was really valuable because it enabled our younger players to get some experience, and hopefully, it will pay off next May.
Eric Halpern was our lone singles representative. Eric, had the unenviable job of taking over the number 1 spot in our lineup. Dillon Pottish, our number 1 player in 2012, made it virtually impossible for anyone to fill his shoes. Eric, is a very tough kid and assumed the mantle with pride and confidence. Eric's year began in grand fashion. Eric, had an amazing Indoor National tournament, taking down 3 players ranked in the top 3 and also beating the number 1 ranked player in the country. Unfortunately, Eric, came down with Mono on our spring break trip to LA. This was a devastating loss for both him and our team. I have had 3 players with mono since I have been at Emory, and it's almost impossible to come back. Eric, being a tough kid, finally made it in to our lineup in time for UAA's. Unfortunately, he still was not at a 100% and tried the best he could. Eric lost in the first of round of the NCAA's to a very good player. I know it's not how he wanted to end his season, but the fact that he was even able to play was testimony to his strength.
The year ended with our first NCAA doubles championship. Elliot Kahler(senior captain) and Ian Wagner(junior) finally got us a title that has eluded this program for over 30 years. EK and Wags have always been one of our most talented teams, and in the first half of the season, they were on fire. The second half of the season was not as good and so going into NCAA doubles tournament, they were unseeded.
One of the hardest things in college tennis is to bounce back from a NCAA team loss and have to compete in the individual tournament. It's not easy shaking this pain and getting yourself mentally ready to compete. EK and Wag's most difficult match in the tournament was against Case Western in the first round. Down a set and break, the boys managed to mentally get it together and pulled off a dramatic come-back win. The next match was also dramatic. We dropped the first set against UT Tyler 6-0, and at this point, it look bleak, but, EK and Wags, dug in, and from that point on, till the finals, did not get broken on any of their service games. It was an amazing accomplishment and validated to everyone that they made a big mistake not seeding this team. I was so happy for them because they are 2 young men who do things the right way. It was nice to see the good guys finish first.
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