For the Virginia men's tennis team, success isn't always about what happens in the postseason.
The Cavaliers ended their season on a disappointing note by falling to No. 24 Southern California, 4-0, on May 12 in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. But even though Virginia made a first-round exit from the tournament for the third straight year, this season provided much-needed experience for the young players who represent the Cavaliers' future.
One of them is sophomore Michael Duquette, who gained significant playing time. After finishing the 1999-2000 season with a 5-12 record at No. 6 singles, Duquette drastically improved this year and compiled a 13-17 record at the fourth singles spot. With the top three singles players leaving, Duquette most likely will play the top spot next season, making this year even more valuable.
"We are inexperienced at the bottom, and there is no way to get around that," Virginia coach Dick Stockton said. "So it was good to get those guys in as much as possible because we're going to need them later on."
Not that Virginia (14-8, 3-4 ACC) didn't have anything to be proud of. The Cavaliers' match against USC was their fifth consecutive NCAA appearance. Virginia also had monumental wins over Virginia Commonwealth and Georgia Tech. The Cavaliers' 5-2 victory over the Rams on April 4 was just their second over VCU since 1990. On Apr. 20, Virginia upset the Yellow Jackets, 4-0, in the first round of the ACC tournament after once losing to the Jackets earlier.
"Those wins were great and really brought the team closer together," senior and top singles player Brian Vahaly said. "I think our year went pretty well."
Although the USC match marked the final collegiate match for Cavalier seniors Tommy Croker and Brian Hunter, Vahaly and senior Huntley Montgomery are not finished yet. Both were invited to the NCAA Individual Championships, which will take place May 23-28. Vahaly, ranked No. 14 nationally, will play in the singles draw. He will then team with Montgomery and play in the doubles draw.
Virginia will miss greatly its four departing seniors, who comprised four of the top five singles spots. Co-captains Vahaly and Montgomery provided a very strong top two for the Cavaliers. Vahaly finished the season with an impressive 35-5 record, while Montgomery finished 27-8. In doubles, the duo finished with a 31-7 record.
Vahaly, who has the most phenomenal college career in Virginia tennis history, will be missed the most. A two-time ACC player of the year and All-American, Vahaly is the Cavaliers' all-time winningest player and became the first to receive All-American honors. His four-year record at Virginia is 101-28.
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In addition, the Intercollegiate Tennis Assocation recently nominated Vahaly for the ITA/John Van Nostrand Memorial Award. Vahaly is one of six finalists for the national award, which recognizes an outstanding senior men's player planning to pursue a professional tennis career.
"I'm very sad to see that my career is coming to an end," Vahaly said. "I've learned so much at this school on and off the court. It couldn't have been more perfect for me."
Jay Curtis (Memphis, Tenn.), Stephen Nolen (Aurora, Col.), Dillon Walker (Dallas, Texas) and Chuck Perrin (Atlanta, Ga.), next season's recruiting class, will replace the four seniors.
Curtis compiled an undefeated 72-0 record at Memphis University High. He is the 1999 individual Tennessee State Champion and also captured the 2000 18s Southern Closed Doubles Championship.
Nolen earned All-State honors for four straight years at Smoky Hill High. He was the 2000 Colorado State 5A Runner Up and a member of the 2000 Junior Davis Cup National Champions.
Walker, who hails from St. Stephens Episcopal School, is a three-year winner of the Dallas Tennis Association's Player of the Year Award and has captured three SPC State Tennis Championships.
The Marietta Daily Journal named Perrin the 1998 Cobb County player of the year. In addition, the Georgia Tennis Association named Perrin the Most Improved Junior Male Player for his performance during the 2000 season at the Walker School.
The additions of these four not only will make next year's Cavaliers a completely different team but also will make the squad young and inexperienced. With so many changes, next season will be tough.
"It will definitely be a rebuilding year," Vahaly said. "They'll get some good experience, and with the strong recruiting class coming in, eventually we'll be back to where we are now"
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