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Having never been a huge tennis team person,
I anticipated college tennis to be a challenge. However, after
six months training, training, cramming, travelling, Spanish dancing,
dining, discoing and chatting I have never felt more like a team
member in my life.
I arrived at Auburn University Montgomery
(A.U.M.) in early 2000 - a little jet lagged but ready to begin
my new life as a tennis player. After getting over the initial
shock of my cell-like dorm and a scholastic system that looked
like Arabic, I quickly adjusted to my new surroundings.
I rapidly learnt my new daily routines
which consisted of coffee, study, coffee, class, coffee, training,
sprints, extra coffee, class, coffee study, socialising and sleep.
Despite the repetition, everyday provided me with new and exciting
adventures.
My class schedule consisted of twenty hours,
Monday through to Thursday; two subjects per day with constant
quizzes, assignments, tests, presentations and cram sessions.
Training with the girl's team (seven people) 1-4pm daily, eating,
shopping, washing, campus socialising and study seemed to consume
the day before I realised it had begun.
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Without a doubt, all tennis activities were gravitating towards
nationals. The N.A.I.A. system is similar to that of the N.C.A.A.,
with colleges within conferences (designated states) playing off
for conference championships, a ranking and draw positioning in
nationals.
My team was only defeated once during the six month season. Towards
the end of the season all teams play regionals as a lead up to
the nationals. We were finalists in the first regionals and we
won the second.
Consequently we were ranked number one for the nationals and
received a bye in the first round of a 32-draw team event. Staying
in the Marriot, dining at banquets and soaking up the hot kentucky
sun couldn't have placed us in a better position to defend our
championship title.
Each team must win five out of nine matches (six singles and
three doubles) to progress into the next round of the knockout
tournament. As the week slowly progressed, the team spirit was
incredible. The buzzing anxiety, excitement and determination
to win enveloped every player. It was an incredible feeling
to be part of this.
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Waking up in the morning of the finals, traveling to the Lexington
Complex, formal team introductions and a thorough warm up are
memories to be imprinted on my mind forever.
Six hours of tough, nail biting match play with ferocious cheers
from A.U.M. supporters and it was down to two matches; mine
and my fellow team member Belen. Being on the court when A.U.M.
victory was announced, I was momentarily stunned. "We've
won nationals", I kept repeating to myself, as my teammates
sprinted onto the courts.
I'm sure a deaf person could have heard our screams as everything
and everyone came to a complete standstill around us. I felt
nothing but the ecstasy of winning and the rush of adrenalin
that only my team could understand.
After presentation, showers, lunch and cheering for the men's
team we were still on a high and impatiently waited for the
night to begin... it seemed like forever!
Sipping champagne in the coach's room, we were told to 'get
ready for a surprise' Thirty minutes later a chauffer-driven
stretch limousine arrived and our evening began.
Two hours and four bottles of red wine later, the evening was
just getting under way nicely- unfortunately so were the engines
of our plane taking us back to Montgomery. We arrived home at
8.30am the next morning to roses, chocolates, banners and a
balloon filled bus which was a nice surprise but we secretly
longed for our beds. Before we knew it, the adrenaline had worn
off and exhaustion had set in. This was a week I shall never
forget...
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College Tennis and Me 
