Monday, February 6, 2012

Regular Season Draws Near


As January draws to an end, the men’s tennis team at Middlebury College moves closer and closer to the start of their regular season.  All indications from student directed training during J Term were extremely positive.

J Term is a unique tradition and aspect of student life at Middlebury.  Due to the academic schedule, plus NESCAC and NCAA regulations allowing no formal practices during J Term, getting in quality training can be a challenge for the Panthers during this time.  This year’s team met this challenge head on.   The success of the men’s team during this time period was due in large part to the incredible leadership and responsibility displayed by every member of the team.  Despite the fact that organized practices are not allowed during J Term, the momentum from the fall season was carried over throughout J Term.  In fact, many Panthers made great strides in their games during the month long session.  With the regular season practice schedule set to resume here in a couple of weeks on February 15th, the coaching staff could not be more excited about the hard work and leadership shown by each and every Panther during J Term.
Another exciting aspect of the Middlebury Tennis experience is the spring break training trip to California.  This annual trip serves as both a great chance to challenge some of the best Division lll competition in the country while also building invaluable team camaraderie.  Earlier this month the team participated in phone-a-thon as part of a fundraising effort for this year’s spring break trip.  The event was definitely a success but left us short of our final budget needs for the upcoming trip to California.  We respectfully ask that any members of the Middlebury Tennis Family capable of doing so please consider supporting our spring break training trip. 

We would also like to send a very big thank you to all of the parents, alums, and supporters of Middlebury Tennis for everything you have done to support our journey and effort to become one of the best tennis programs in the country.  Without your support and enthusiasm, this journey would not be possible.  Please continue your support and spread the word to friends and families of the program by following our blog and staying updated with our results on the Middlebury College athletic website at http://www.middlebury.edu/athletics/.

Please forward any questions to head coach Bob Hansen at rwhansens@middlebury.edu and again, thank you for your continued support.

Go Midd!