Summer Journal: Observations

So team camp is well under way, Wednesday morning and we're waiting for the typical Wednesday rain to pass through.  Don't know how it always decides to rain on Wednesdays, but it has the past three years at least.  I think everyone is pretty excited for visiting Ruby Tuesday's tonight and seeing if Brittany still works there.  Last night we enjoyed a waitress at Pizza King who really told it like it was... and somehow knew Austin's name without being told... weird.

Anyways, here's a list of early observations from camp:

- Our groundstrokes really look good when we are concentrated and swinging through with confidence

- We go through many stretches each practice where we are not concentrated

- The ability to stay focused and positive will be huge for this group, it's the number one mental aspect we need to develop

- A preliminary lineup is starting to take shape within my head. 

- Mikey was afraid of the net two years ago when he started doubles.  He dominates the net now.

- Our biggest weakness in singles is going for too much, too soon.

- Our biggest strength is when we settle down and play consistent groundstrokes.

- Some of our freshmen and new players are developing quickly, some are not.  It's all about desire and focus.

- Julian and Matt ate 10 donuts between them the first day before lunch.

- Jake can't figure out who keeps stealing his donut holes (it's Kyle).

- Kyle and Seth know how to "Bring It," P90X style! 

- Kyle Miller has never been found in three years of Hide-and-Go-Seek

- Some people on the team really like reading... that's cool.

- They really like reading vampire love stories... not cool.

- Jake = loudest snorer.  Seth = wheeziest snorer. Kyle = inconsistent snorer.  What a beautiful symphony they are.

- Andy Slagel throws really hard in dodgeball, Austin makes funny noises combined with jacked-up ninja moves, Evan crashes hard into folding chairs.

And on and on and on.  Camp is going well, and hopefully we're all getting better.  Until later...