To the 2005 M 3.0 National Champions: Congratulations !! You are the Best in the USA !! It was a Total Team effort from November of 2004 to now, and I am proud to have been your Coach. The last PNW Men's Team to win a N.T. was my Squad in 1984, 21 years ago. This team was the 9th squad that we took to the Sweet 16. Last year Adam's M 3.0 Squad placed 8th at the Nationals. You all saw my grin from ear to ear. ( I still have it.) After nine tries at the N.T as a Coach, this Team breaks through. We won the N. T. because you were the better TEAM, and you faced down adversity. We had the bad draw with 5 teams, and had to win 6 matches in 3 days. It was 103 degrees outdoors, with 114 degrees on court. We had a player go down with heat stroke, we had another get severe cramps. We had two players with bad arm injuries and we had a starter wake up for the Sunday Final 4 with an eye injury. We put two first time doubles teams together and for the final we put in our bench singles player, at the # 1 Doubles position. This player at 54 was our oldest teammate. We said all 12 players would have to ante up when your # was called and all 12 won at least 1 match. I want to take this time to give Props to all of you:
General Manager: Roger "Gooch" Yamaguchi: We finally did it. Your Scouting Reports, the Data Base, the line-ups, and the Secret Squirrel Pictures of the opponents were key to the team defeating the opponents. You took the trouble to bring down your stinging machine and the Squad restrung 5 frames. The Pedilyte trick stopped the cramps from affecting more of the squad, and your Medical advice was a comforting influence on the team. Your insights on the USTA was invaluable in helping Adam defend the team during the grievance. All year you got the Team Courts at the Amy Yee Tennis Center by calling at 7:15am Thurs morning. You predicted a Victory for this team, and as usual you were right.
Assistant Coach: Joe "Yao" Shao: Our Young Gun !! Great job on the scouting reports on the opponents. You interpreted the reports and gave out excellent game plans for the squad to execute. You restrung the frames for the Squad and your input on the starters and line-ups were crucial. During the Season your hard work with the singles players improved them from 3.0 to 3.5 levels. Your insights and honesty with the team was always warmly received because it was strait from the heart. Your a big part of Avanti's success and I'm proud to have you on Staff.
Captain Adam " Big Papi" Rogers: The Soul of the Team !! You instilled TEAMWORK and CAMARADERIE in this Squad. You recruited younger more athletic players, you got them to work together, you got them to believe in each other. ( Ken-Rada-Sachin-Josh-Scott-Kyle-Kevin) Hosting the dinner at your house built up camaraderie and team spirit. You gave a gutsy performance winning that 1st match vs. So. Cal suffering heat stroke. Your Squad feels your passion to win and they play hard for you !! And like the movie Top Gun, you get to Captain the M 3.5 A Team.
Co-Captain: David "D.J." Johnson: The Team's conscience !! You were a sounding board for Adam, Gooch, Joe and myself. You insights on the team psyche was invaluable. The fact that you were willing to go to Portland, and Tucson and drive the Squad around knowing full well you could not play says it all. Guys like you will always have a place in the "Avanti Nation." Please consider being the Captain of the M 3.0 A Team.
Scott "Hendu" Hendrickson: What can I say. You went 6-0 at the Nationals, for the Final 4 and the N.T. match, you played with an eye injury, and you hit the Match winning return of serve !! All season long you were a great team mate, you played and won with 3 different partners. You attended most practices, you played tournaments, you put in your time, and NOW YOUR A NATIONAL CHAMPION !!
Kevin " Rosenfield" Rosenfield: You brought Athleticism to the Squad. I chewed your butt about missing some key tournaments with Hendu and you responded like a man and accepted the challenge. In that final with Hendu missing 1 eye and missing overheads I saw you take over and cover for him. You went 6-0 and you clinched the N.T. match. Your new business card should say Kevin Rosenfeild, Attorney at Law and National Champion !!
Don " Donny" Junt: You are an awesome team mate. You lost your doubles partner but you kept coming to practice. You win a big match in Portland with Josh, and you came thru with Kyle at the Elite 8 match. You remind me of Vitaly Potepenko of the Sonics, when we called your #, you anteed up. During the season you were Coachable, and you improved a ton, heck I heard you lost 30 lbs. You too will always have a place in the " Avanti Nation"
Daniel " Stu" Stewart: " the Heartbeat of the Squad" Your willingness to play hurt, your fighting spirit, your overall heart was definitely inspiring to this team. I saw you and Kyle decimate the opposition in Portland and with a bad shoulder you took out that Mid-Atlantic duo.
Your support of the team is unequivocal and if you were to look up the ultimate teammate in the dictionary, you will find your picture.
Kyle " the Attorney" Loring: Who was the best doubles team at the Nationals ? Answer: Kyle and anybody. 4 different partners, 4-2 record, and the insight to call for Stevie Ray in the N. T. match !! You also kept the squad lose with your unique sense of humor. Even Joe started to get what you were saying !!
Ken " Kenny the All- American" Hsu: 5-0 @ the Nationals !! Your Kick Serve was a feared weapon at the Sweet 16. During the season you came to all of the practices and you won the July Avanti and August Avanti M 3.5 doubles events with Radha. You were Coachable, and your game improved. If we were a college team, you would be an" All-American."
Eric " Krispy" Nelson: the Team Headbanger !! You gave the team toughness, you gave it an edge. I made the right choice in keeping you on the squad, you validated this with 2 gritty wins at the Nationals. That Final 4 match must have averaged 30 ball rallies. You looked like you were doing the stair climbing drill !! In that heat I saw your opponents melt, and yes your still " The Man" in my book.
Radha " Rada" Komarti: The Hot Motor of the Squad !! You went 5-0, and overcame cramps playing singles and doubles at the Nationals !! During the season you had the Hot Motor, you played anytime, anyplace, anywhere. You played all the tournaments, you made all practices, you played extra. if anything we had to hold you back a bit so you didn't burn out. You are a great teammate and I hope to have you on Avanti teams fro many years to come.
Josh "J$" Berger: as our $ singles player you took on the toughest opponents @ the Nationals. You also jumped in and won a Final 4 doubles match with Kyle on the fly. During the year you won matches with your hustle and determination. You did everything the Coaching Staff asked of you and now you get to impress your girlfriend with National Champion Ring !!
Sachin " Sachin" Goregaoker: 5-1 @ the Nationals in singles and doubles !! You had an amazing 6-0, 6-0 win in the Elite 8 match over a tough Nor-Cal opponent. Over the year you worked hard on your backhand and it paid off with a N. T. Your sharp wit with your teammates was very cool. You definitely earned your teammates respect with your smooth game.
Steve " Stevie Ray" Thompson: The Team enforcer !! Our grizzled veteran at 54 years old you went 2-0 at the Nationals. You played a important singles match in the Elite 8 allowing Sachin to rest, then in the N.T. match we call your # and you anteed up like a man and win a huge doubles match with Kyle Loring at the #1 position that turned out to be the margin of victory. I even saw you charge an overhead !! I saw flashes of the old Steve when you were ready to brawl with that So. Cal guy who was giving Adam some guff. I know you had your teammates back !!
Take some time off to rest, recuperate. Do the family thing. All of you are welcome to come back for the 2006 Season. We will see where the computer rates you. Three of you can stay at 3.0 A Squad, all 3.5 rated can move up. I have asked Adam to Capt the 3.5 A team and D.J. to Captain the 3.0 A Squad. We will have a team banquet Sunday November 6th. We will vote on Individual Awards, and plan out the 2006 Season for all who wish to come back. This is Optional: #1 For all who purchased Warm-ups, or if you wish to order a warm-up, I want to add "2005 National Champion" to the sleeve in white letters. #2 I will be designing a " National Champion" Ring from Cline Jewelers. I will let you know ASAP on the cost and the design. Please let me know about both of the above. Boys, we made history last weekend, for the rest of your life you will be known as a National Champion. The coolest thing is Years from now when you run into each other you will all have a special bond because of what we collectively did as a team at the the 2005 Nationals. Honored to be your Coach, Roger Mark President Avanti Sports
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