I'm super proud of each and everyone of the 14 members of the Paul VI tennis team today as we were road warriors and accomplished our season's goal. We upset the 4 seed St Joseph's of Meutchen and have advanced to the semi-finals of the South A playoffs. We are one of four teams left standing in the South A group, and that really feels great to say and I know you guys are as amped as I am.
Franklin Delano Raggio came through with the biggest win today. He dropped the first set quickly, but didn't fade and kept his composure to come back to win in three sets. His middle name was consistency today, as is a nickname I've given to all of you this season. He picked his moments wisely to be aggressive and take a short ball to the net while also allowing his opponent to make unforced errors by keeping the ball deep in his opponent's court. He played a very balanced and disciplined final two sets and move the ball around the court with ease and purpose.
Mark McMillions showed the coolness that is one of his best attributes, as his opponent exhibited the opposite and beat himself. Mark clearly recognized this and his opponents other weakness's. He also picked his moments wisely to approach the net and use his quick hands for volley winners. Mark played with the same discipline and moved the ball around the court with the same consistency that Franklin did during his match. He had another clutch win for the tennis Eagles this season
The Legion of Lamberto showed great confidence in their strokes today, and you could see it in their execution. They got out a head of their opponents today, smelled the blood on the water, and took care of business. Once you have momentum you have to give it a bear hug and not let down your guard for one minute. This is a crucial concept for our sport. Terry, John and Mitchel all put up valiant fights and for that I know I and the team are grateful. We'll all get another opportunity to fight again, and I am amped for that chance.
I know you all see the benefit of the practices we had leading up to the match today and the short one we had today before the match. Those tennis specific skills and repetitions of each we practiced all gave us more confidence to execute them in our match today. You all were more polished and your strokes were grooved. It was great to see all the pleasure that I sensed many of you were having by simply being consistent and making few unforced errors today.
That was a great bus ride home and a terrific dinner at Five Guys and Chick-Fil-A, as we could all savor the victory and such a great burger or chicken sandwich tastes that much better. It was great to get the post match opportunity to enjoy each other's company, as I think such a bonding event is important to team success. Its something I've thought about all season but wasn't sure how to kick start. So thank you for all the frivolity and enjoyment of our post match dinner. I really did have a blast.
Lastly I want to point out that our rock star doubles team, 'Obliterasian' was offered by the St Joe's coach to play one of his doubles teams while the varsity match played. Well John and Pat both said thanks but no thanks as they would rather stay by the fence-line and support Frank and Mark during their matches. This was a selfless act that sincerely warmed my heart.
I am very proud of you gentleman for doing such. I am also proud of Chris, Hank, Joe and Jim for the support they showed for Mitchel and John today. The whole set-up of park's tennis courts was quite nice, the best I've seen all season. It was a good energy felt by all today, and even if the sun wasn't out on a Monday.
See any and all who want to come for a quick and easy indoor practice tomorrow, in the gym at 315. I want the varsity to come for sure. We'll run it to a little after 4 and I hope we can have a pick-up basketball game. This is another great bonding activity.
A Great Motivational Football Speech By The Best At Such - Lou Holtz
