Boys 2008 Season Wrap up a HUGE success!

Thanks to all who were able to attend our post-season wrap up celebration. It was a fine display of all your cuisine talents that my wife has already began experimenting with trying to copy. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather and a beautiful sunset to look over Lake Wylie at from the pool at Sunset Point.

Congratulations to the following boys for earning their varsity letter:

Jeff Zimmerman (6th Tennis Letter, 1st Captain pin)
Paul Sabisch (3rd Tennis Letter, 1st Captain pin)
Eric Sabin (3rd Tennis Letter)
Zach Beaver (1st Tennis Letter)
Sudeep Das (1st Tennis Letter)
Alex Atzberger (1st Tennis Letter)
Drayton Wade (1st Tennis Letter)
Seth Russell (3rd Tennis Letter)
Brian Fitzpatrick (1st Tennis Letter)
Jordan Beaver (1st Tennis Letter)

We then moved on to recognize our all-region players and presented them with certificates of their accomplishments as well as an action picture of them (thank you Mrs Russell) which noted their accomplishment.
- Congratulations to Jeff Zimmerman, 2008 All-Region 3-AAAA, 2008 SC North/South All Star
- Congratulations to Zach Beaver, 2008 All-Region 3-AAAA

Also, as I mentioned in my remarks, I polled the team after the season to nominate who they feel were deserving of individual recognition. The results were as follows:

Best Practice Player, being defined as the member of the team that gave the most to the team in practice day-in and day-out to make himself and his teammates better.
- Winner: Drayton Wade

Most Improved Player, being defined as the member of the team that showed the most individual improvement in their own game from either (a) last year to this year or (b) from the beginning of the season to the end.
- Winner: Zach Beaver

Most Valuable Player, being defined as the member of the team who was most responsible for our success this year by their outstanding play.
- Winner: Jeff Zimmerman

Coach's Award, being defined as the player that was the most coachable member of the team and displayed a positive work ethic both on and off the courts.
- Winner: Sudeep Das

Sudeep and I were talking after the events and were wondering if any team at Northwestern has anywhere near the team GPA that we have. I asked Mrs. Beaver to investigate our team GPA and she was able to come up with an overall cumulative average of the team of 4.2 on a weighted scale. I cannot imagine any team at any school in the state that comes close to us in the classroom. This is certainly evident in my dealings with these fine young men as they were very quick learners and so easy to instruct.

Again, I cannot say thank you enough to all of the boys for their hard work this year. It was personally rewarding to see all of you improve and advance your tennis game. To those seniors (and Alex!) moving on, congratulations on your graduation and sincere best wishes in the future. If there is ever anything I can do to help you advance yourself in life, don't hesitate to call or email me. To those team members returning next year, I look forward to working with you all summer long on Tuesday nights from 7:00 - 8:30 and meeting your friends!