Net News - Feb. 9
2/9/2017 9:40:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Hello from the Alabama Crimson Tide,
As I stated in last week's opening line, there's no place like home and what a special place it is…and we didn't need Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, nor Dorothy to tap the heels of her ruby slippers three times.  So back to work we went to prepare for our final scheduled indoor home matches of the season vs. Texas Tech and Clemson.  We had the flu floating in the air which impacted a couple of players as well as some sore bodies following a pair of physical and mental battles against Washington and Purdue.  Not to worry, however, as the country's best athletic trainer, Katie Wheeler (aka "Team Mom"), came to the rescue and re-built our boys in time for the weekend. Â
Friday night was really exciting as we held our Bama Salute and also provided Taco Mama to our fans. We had our largest men's tennis indoor crowd that filled all the Alison Baumgardner seats (and standing room only areas) while also chomping on tacos, chips, guacamole and salsa. Â There was a beautiful display on court of the American flag by the Alabama Army and Air Force ROTC while more than 75 uniformed cadets and officers were in attendance to cheer on the Crimson Tide. Â The team also showed off custom camouflage shorts while the coaching staff also added camo polos. Â We captured our 5th doubles point (in six matches) to kick off the Texas Tech battle and the tug-of-war officially began. Â The Red Raiders, whose school saying is "Guns Up", provided the first bullet of the singles frame to even the score at 1-1. Â We returned the favor with a pair of bullseye shots as freshmen Thibault Cancel and Zhe Zhou won their respective contests. Â Particularly noteworthy was Zhe's match, his first in 13 months as he had to sit out of competition due to NCAA rules and spent virtually all of 2016 practicing without any tournament play. Â He was fist pumping from the first point on, and while he didn't get off to the greatest start (trailing 2-5 in the first set), he settled in and closed out his opponent with a 7-5, 6-3 victory. Â Bama 3, Texas Tech 1. Â Momentum and more tacos were definitely in favor of the Tide, however, gritty victories at #1 and #4 for Tech evened the match at three and all eyes shifted to court #5.
Edson Ortiz, coming off a match clinching performance against Purdue, was back in a similar situation. Â Like the prior week, Edson won the first set and dropped the second. Â As we headed into the third and deciding set it was as if you could hear famed ring announcer Michael Buffer shout out, "Let's get ready to rummmmm-ble!" Â The crowd settled in courtside while the teams gathered together to cheer on their teammate. Â Each player struggled to hold serve early but in the end it was the freshman from Chihuahua that used a solid ground game and transition play to seal the deal for the Tide. Â Click here to watch Ortiz clinch the match point!
Following plenty of post-match treatment Friday night and the following morning courtesy of our Team Mom, as well as a lite hit-around, the team headed north to Birmingham to watch Davis Cup. Â Team USA held a 2-0 lead over Switzerland going into Saturday's doubles rubber so we had the opportunity to watch another clinching moment. Â Jack Sock and Stevie Johnson did not disappoint clinching the tie and advancing the American team to the quarterfinals Down Under April 7-9 vs. Team Australia. Â It was nice to reunite with Stevie who I coached for three years at USC, as well as his father, family friend and fiancee. Â While I wanted him to spend more time with the team, the press awaited, as did many autograph seeking fans and Coach Courier. Â Match USA! Â Roll Tide!
Sunday brought us Kids Day, a celebration together with boys and girls in the Tuscaloosa community, as well as softball head coach and honorary first server, Patrick Murphy, and of course, Big Al! Â The kids were treated to Bama Tennis goodie bags, a scavenger hunt throughout the tennis facility, tasty pizza and most parents' favorite party favor, a bounce house (gotta get those kids tired!). Â Clemson was on the other side of the net this time, minus Dabo Swinney or Deshaun Watson, but I figured it was going to be a tough test given the physical, mental and emotional output against Texas Tech. Â Each team traded jabs during doubles with both teams splitting matches at #2 and #3. Â That left the top court with the sophomore tandem of Mazen Osama and Spencer Richey. Â After converting a break opportunity at 4-4, Bama would try to serve it out at 5-4. Â Spencer faced a quick 0-40 hole but this didn't rattle the Memphis native. Â Rather he and Mazen slowed down and confidently captured four consecutive points to earn our sixth doubles point in seven opportunities in the young season. Â Point Bama! Roll Tide!
In singles action, Thibault was most impressive displaying great enthusiasm and spirit in cruising to a swift 6-2, 6-2 victory. Â Edson then followed up in a non-clinching, yet important moment with another win. Â Friday's featured fathead, Mazen, was next to tally a gritty 6-4, 7-6 (8) result which clinched the 'W' for the Tide. Â Click here for Mazen's match point. Â Spencer then followed with a singles win of his own while Clemson tallied a pair of points to finish out the afternoon. Â Bama 5, Clemson 2. Â Match Bama! Â Roll Tide! Â Some of the remaining kids were treated to a hit around with our players and everyone made it home in time for kickoff of Super Bowl LI. Â What a game!
After a short week of practice, we now travel to Oklahoma for two Top-15 match-ups against #12 Oklahoma State on Friday at 5:00pm and #14 Oklahoma on Sunday at 1:00pm. Â Both matches will feature live scoring so go to www.okstate.com and www.soonersports.com to keep up with the Tide. Â The Cowboys and Sooners will be the toughest squads we have faced as they have plenty of experience, depth and talent on their side. Â We will face off indoors in Stillwater and Norman respectively and be ready for the next stage of our schedule where things get ramped up a bit. Â I love what our team has shown thus far this season, and like Spring flowers, they will continue to sprout and grow. Â And after all, great moments are born from great opportunity.
Roll Tide,
GeorgeÂ
Players Mentioned
