2021 NET NEWS, Volume 13
4/19/2021 10:02:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Hello again from Fayetteville,
A week after our departure from the Land of Opportunity (former nickname of Arkansas), we've returned to Fayetteville, a town that is nestled between the Ozark Mountains and known for its innovative spirit, numerous biking trails and as an academic center. While we won't have a chance to jump on a bike and enjoy the lakes, rivers and other scenic adventures, there will be plenty of spirit on display at the SEC Men's Tennis Championships this week as well as some studying and test prep as our players have final exams when we return home. The tournament is an on-campus event that rotates to all conference institutions with 13 teams vying for the coveted tournament trophy. All matches will be played at the Billingsley Tennis Center, home of the Razorbacks, and admission is free for any Alabama and tennis fans that are in the area. The weather is a bit atypical for this time of year as the forecast calls for sunny skies, clouds and rain, wind and warmth, as well as chilly, below freezing digits too. So we will have outdoor and indoor competition at the intimate and very nice BTC where Hog fans cheer on their teams. Woo, pig, sooie!
Following a couple of make-up matches this week prior to our arrival in the "Athens of the Ozarks", our team found its place in the draw opposite of a very familiar team to the west of Tuscaloosa – Mississippi State. The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide have ventured roughly 500+ miles northwest for our match on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CST. We will most likely be indoors as temperatures will be in the low 40s for our second battle with State and we look forward to once again getting the opportunity to push each other side to side, up and back, point after point, game after game. This will once again be a tough match, as all SEC battles are, especially after we defeated the Dogs on Senior Night at our place earlier this month.
As I mentioned, our journey to the SECs began with a pair of contests at LSU and Texas A&M. We jumped on a charter bus last Wednesday to begin our trek that would ultimately take us to and through 7 states…Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama. Quite the road trip, but one that has been restful and smooth so far, and has kept us from having to maneuver through airports, rent and drive vehicles from state to state and be reminded to fasten our seat belts, stow our baggage beneath the seat in front of us or in the overhead compartment and to make sure our seats and table trays are in their full, upright and locked positions. On the bus we've got our chairs leaned back, legs lifted across the aisles, bags packed down below and out of sight, plenty of snacks and drinks, wi-fi, satellite tv and a bathroom. As a polular saying goes from one of my kids' favorite television shows (Liv & Maddie)…Bam What!
Regarding our matches against the Tigers and Aggies, let's just say we can do better. We know it, and whatever happened is now in the past and we have moved on physically, mentally and emotionally. Our focus is now on responding with a complete effort against Mississippi State with plenty of pluck n' grit and I'm confident that our guys will perform well. This championship and the NCAA postseason that follow in May also signifies the final time that the majority of our players will compete together in their Alabama careers. A "Last Dance" of sorts as we've pretty much had the same team since January 2018. They've each brought their tennis games to Tuscaloosa along with their personalities, character and class. I can't say enough about this group, and while we honored them on Senior Night at our courts, they've earned the right to be honored all season. There have been several senior moments since they began their final year with several more to come this week and continue through the NCAA Championships. The relationships they've created and strengthened during their time together will fuel them down the home stretch along with a continued determination to keep the Crimson Tide rising. You can follow us online with live stats and live stream from Fayetteville. Originally we were not allowed per media rights rules to have our matches provided with live video, however thanks to the conference office and Commissioner Greg Sankey, we're now in business. So catch us online Tuesday at 6:00pm for Bama v. State – Part 2 and we will give our best effort while hearing your cheers from afar.
Roll Tide,
George
George Husack
Head Men's Tennis Coach
University of Alabama
