Spring Break Day 2

Spring Break Edition - Day 2

Day two of the Warhawk’s Spring Break trip to Orlando started off with a match for both the women’s and men’s teams as they took on Stevens Institute of Technology at 11:30am.

It was great to see all the supporters come out and help cheer on the teams. Jake and Megan Humphrey’s sister Jenna even helped get everyone ready before the matches by taking on the role of team trainer, taping up ankles and the like, before taking on the role of photographer. It was great reuniting with a special visitor, Mrs. Bayliss (aka our second mother), as she took the time out from her own plans to come see how the teams were doing and show her support.

The doubles started off the day and didn’t disappoint in drama or excitement as the men’s team fought to pull ahead 2-1. On the 2-court, Jake Humphreys and Cam Laktash battled out for a win while the No. 1s, Ben Shklyar and Michael Treis, achieved an incredible win against a top 5 ranked doubles team. The playing was seriously amazing and the matches so close and intense it was hard to look away. The singles matches proved to be just as difficult and the men eventually dropped the match. However, Jake played absolutely amazing and pulled out a huge upset against the #2 ranked singles player in the nation!

The women’s doubles dominated play as they jumped to 3-0 before moving on to singles and battling through the heat and sun to decimate Stevens 9-0. Some of us got a little too roasted (cough Amanda cough) but after some heavy Aloe application (and a little poking just for entertainment) everyone was okay (so far).

After the matches everyone got ready for the big dinner with players, parents, and coaches. The players showed off their fashion sense by dressing up to go eat at Buca di Beppo (99% succeeded). At the dinner everyone got to mingle and talk to each other, meeting the different families that had come down to show their support. Mr. Talyansky got up at the end to thank Coach Barnes on behalf of everyone present for all the hard work he does and how much he cares about all the players and the program.

The night ended with a pool party at the hotel, even Coach was invited (although we’re not sure Jake meant to). The players all got to relax and chill in the hot tub and pool. The boys started out a game of “extreme catch” as Treis almost killed a few people diving for the various throws, Alex Talyansky got in a hit in revenge. Some of the players even befriended a few kids and let them join in to play.

One of my (my as in Jackie’s) favorite parts of the night was being able to Facetime with Megan Kasten, former doubles partner and all around B.A. teammate. We talked about the last time we were here in Orlando and all the fun we had. I also introduced her to some of the new girls on the team after they got back from the pool.

All in all it was a really great first full day down here in the land of sun(burns) and fun. Everyone is currently looking forward to their day off tomorrow as they head to various theme parks, but not before Coach made sure to remind us of our priorities this week: “tennis and tennis.”

Until tomorrow!

- Jackie, Jess, Abby, and Amanda