Net News - March 2
3/2/2017 10:17:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Hello from Tuscaloosa,
The Crimson Tide returned from the Blue Gray Championships in Montgomery this past Sunday feeling a bit empty handed after three matches over the weekend. Â We faced Virginia Tech, Boise State and Texas Tech. Â Each provided a challenge and an opportunity to improve as players and a team. Â The match against the Hokies started slow in doubles which resulted in a 1-0 hole. Â Singles was a mixed bag, where in the end, we just didn't seem to click on all cylinders. Â Mazen and Spencer chalked up a pair of victories but that was all we could come away with that day. Â After a lunch break at the tasty hospitality tent at Lagoon Park, we needed to rebound with a sharper edge and more conviction against a feisty Boise State squad. Â The match took us away from Lagoon and over to the O'Conner Tennis Center where the Bama faithful was in full support led by several of our host families. Â The doubles point was on the agenda for this mid-afternoon affair. Â We inched ahead with a couple of key service breaks on two courts which proved to be enough and sent us home to our first host family team dinner with a 1-0 lead. Â I wouldn't say our blades were razor sharp but we accomplished our goal and got the job done. Â Later that night we enjoyed the traditional conecuh sausage at the Chapman house, along with incredible, smoked wings and a filling lasagna. Â Many thanks to Will and Amy for once again kicking off our Blue Gray weekend!
The following morning we got an extra hour of sleep and headed back to O'Conner for the singles portion of our match against legendary coach Greg Patton and his Broncos. Â Alexey was first to finish off his opponent in rather quick fashion giving Bama a 2-0 lead. Â After we dropped a tight match at #2 singles, our "El Toro", Edson, pushed us one point away from victory with a convincing straight set win. Â All eyes shifted over to court #1 where Mazen was battling both his opponent and a small collection of loud Bronco fans. Â No need to fear as our double-handed sophomore ripped forehands and backhands this way, that way and every which way to silence the cheers and lead the Crimson Tide to victory. Â Match Bama! Roll Tide!
We now had another short break to refuel our bodies at the nearby Panera and return to face a familiar opponent in Texas Tech. Â The Red Raiders eliminated the possibility of a fourth straight meeting between us and former Alabama coach Billy Pate by defeating Princeton rather soundly that morning. Â
The wind picked up a bit, and as the sun set, chillier temps moved in for the night cap. Â We had been treated to such beautiful weather on Friday and Saturday but this night time affair was going to be a different story. Â Doubles started off well but as the weather changed so did our momentum. Â We made a switch in our doubles lineup inserting the senior duo of Hayes and Ritchie. Â The pair jumped out to a 5-2 lead but were unable to finish as we dropped matches at #1 and #2. Texas Tech 1, Alabama 0. Â We regrouped and came out with a lot of energy in singles. Â Mazen showed why he is one tough customer by capturing a very quick 6-1 first set. Â Zhe had a rematch with the same Red Raider opponent he had a few weeks prior in Tuscaloosa. Â In similar fashion, he found himself down 2-5 but rebounded with a 5-0 run and stole the first set in emphatic fashion, 7-5 . Â Alexey soon followed suit and grabbed his first set 6-4 while exclaiming "Let's Go Bama!" which rang throughout the facility. Â
The Tide was turning but Texas Tech was ready for the challenge. Â They won a hard fought victory on court #2, and after putting up another point on court #3, they were just one win away from reversing the outcome of Feb 3 (a 4-3 Alabama victory). Â Our freshman Edson had played such a close first set, pushing it to a tiebreak with an aggressive and attacking style. Â He did his best to put more pressure on his opponent but this time it wasn't going to turn out in our favor. Â Texas Tech claimed the win and thus ended our evening at the Blue Gray. Â I felt it was our best match of the tournament and a challenge we needed in order to prepare us for the upcoming SEC season. Â Overall, I felt we gave too many points away over the course of the event but competed better with each match. Â That night the team headed over to the Seale household for another super dinner and time spent with our host families. Â Many thanks Brooks and Jennifer!
All in all it was another fun experience at the Blue Gray.  While I thanked the Chapmans and the Seales for hosting dinner and housing half of our team, I must also give a shout out to our two other incredible hosts – Brooke & Melissa Lawson and Peter & Margaret Ann Selman.  Many, many thanks for not only inviting us into your homes but also for once again making us feel very much at home.
The schedule now shifts gears to the nitty gritty – the SEC season.  It's what we train and play for on an annual basis.  Twelve matches over the next seven weekends.  Six at home – Ole Miss, Arkansas, Texas A&M, LSU, Florida and South Carolina. Six on the road – Mississippi State, Auburn, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Tennessee.  Not a layup or slam dunk on the schedule.  Just pure tug-of-war with plenty of "pluck and grit" required.  We begin this Friday night at 6pm in our first contest under the lights at the Alabama Tennis Stadium as the Rebels come to town – Hotty Toddy.  The Crimson Racket Club will host the first of four free cookouts of the season (2 for the men and 2 for the women) with chief grill master David Ford running the operation.  Langford Hills is the featured Fathead Player of the Match and fans will be able to pick up his player button from the marketing table.  If you didn't catch the Q&A posted online earlier this week, here's some info on the redshirt sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia.
Q: What was your first visit to campus like?
A:Â My first visit to campus was breathtaking. Just the feeling I got when I toured the campus was incomparable to anywhere else. The buildings, people and facilities were above excellent.
Q: What surprised you most about Alabama?
A:Â How close everything is together. Even though it is a big school, everything is very centralized and in walking distance. Â
Q: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?
A:Â My family and friends.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Tuscaloosa?
A:Â Ichiban or Hokkaido.
Q: What is your favorite tennis memory?
A:Â Defeating the No. 6 guy from Ole Miss last year at the SEC tournament.
Q: Who inspired you most in tennis?
A:Â My coach growing up Brian DeVillers. Â
Q: When did playing tennis in college become a goal for you?
A:Â Around the age of 15 or 16. Â
Q: What song pumps you up to play?
A: Right Above It – Lil Wayne.
Q: What is your favorite movie made before you were born?
A:Â Scarface.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A:Â Wedding Crashers.
Q: What is your dream job?
A:Â Playing professional tennis. Â Â
Q: If you could live in a book, which book would you live in?
A:Â Great Gatsby. Â Â
Q: What is your favorite hobby outside of tennis?
A:Â Player other sports or hanging out with friends.
Q: If you could meet any person in the world who would it be?
A:Â Adrianna Lima.
Q: If you were playing a pro circuit what grand slam would you want to win most?
A:Â U.S. Open.
Q: What do you like to hear from fans when they are cheering for you?
A:Â Let's go Lang!
Q: What are some goals you look to achieve this spring season?
A:Â WIN. Â Â Â
Q: If you weren't playing tennis what sport would you play?
A:Â Baseball.
Q: Who would win an arm wrestling competition on the team?
A:Â Hayes or myself.
Q: What is your favorite holiday?
A:Â Christmas.
Q: If you could give one message to your fans what would it be?
A:Â Thank you for all of your support!
If you can't make it out on Friday against Ole Miss, join us on Sunday against the Arkansas.  Coach Andy Jackson will have his Razorbacks ready for another hog-wild match against the Tide with the first serve set for 1pm.  Sophomore Spencer Richey is the Fathead Featured Player of the Match and you'll be able to pick up his button at the marketing table.  The forecast looks great as nothing but sunshine is on the docket.  We look forward to kicking off this SEC season with a bang and celebrating it with all of you.  Until Friday night lights commences…
Roll Tide!
George
Players Mentioned
