Despite having led his team to its highest ranking and biggest win in school history, men's tennis coach Brian Boland is not yet satisfied.
"I still don't consider what we've done to be very successful," Boland said. "Obviously we should feel good about it, but now is when the season really starts; now we find out what we're really about. We need to play much better starting this weekend if we're going to be the kind of team I think we're capable of."
As the Cavaliers head into the ACC tournament this weekend, they carry with them an impressive list of accomplishments as well as some necessary learning experiences. This week alone has given them significant momentum. Sunday afternoon, the team pulled off the biggest win in Virginia history which catapulted it to its first share of the ACC title, its highest-ever ranking (No. 10) and its highest seed in the tournament (No. 2).
After suffering its first and only ACC loss to North Carolina and being defeated by Texas Christian the same weekend in early April, the young Cavalier team has bounced back with a vengeance. Since the UNC and TCU losses, Virginia has won all of its games, two over ACC foes. The win over Duke showed the team's ability to be competitive with one of the strongest programs in the nation.
In order for the team to really consider its season successful, however, the Cavaliers need to convert regular season momentum into post-season victories. Going into the tournament after the team's biggest win may energize the Cavaliers and give them the confidence they need to do well.
"The ACC tournament is what we've been shooting for all year and now we know we can beat any team in the conference," sophomore Doug Stewart said. "We're anxious to get out there and prove ourselves again. Nobody is going to come out there overconfident."
Stewart's realization that the team still has something to prove is not merely his personal belief. Boland and his players remain realistic despite their success. They are not content with what they have achieved so far and realize the importance of the post-season in defining a team's success in any given year.
"In the next five or six weeks we'll know what kind of season we've had -- right now we have no idea," Boland said. "I guess you could say 'oh they had a great regular season' but big deal, that doesn't mean anything."
If the season really begins with the ACC tournament, Virginia will face No. 44 Florida State Saturday in the season opener. The No. 7 seed is 10-11 on the season, 3-5 ACC, but the Cavaliers should not underestimate their opponent. Virginia squeaked by with a 4-3 win over the Seminoles at home in their last meeting.
If Virginia makes it past FSU, it will most likely face Duke again in a sure-to-be emotionally-charged rematch. Duke will face Wake Forest in what will likely be a repeat of Duke's 6-1 domination in their last match. Boland insists, however, that his players take the postseason one game at a time.
"I have not for one minute thought about the Duke match," Boland said. "Florida State is so tough, and we can't think that we can get away with playing at the level we played before [in the last contest with the Seminoles] and come up on the better end."
Virginia will attempt to start the postseason off on a good note when it faces the Seminoles in Raleigh, N.C. at 1 p.m.
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