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Jenkins announces arrival on college stage at ITA regionals

After adapting to collegiate ranks, freshman reaches finals of ITA tournament

Fans are quick to praise the marquee members of championship teams from the four major sports. Acknowledging the quarterback's ability to read the defense and to make accurate passes, they often fail to recognize the left tackle who gave the quarterback enough time to throw.

In the world of tennis, this lack of recognition often extends to the players outside of the team's top few spots - that is, until one turns in a stellar performance only the best could achieve.

That's precisely what Virginia freshman tennis player Jarmere Jenkins did at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Atlantic Regional last weekend when he advanced to the singles final, thus earning the chance to join his Cavalier teammates in the ITA Indoor National Championships in New Haven, Conn., which begins today.

Playing an intercollegiate varsity sport is never a picnic, but the task becomes all the more difficult when the player is a freshman, especially in tennis. Players rarely get the chance to experience the team environment before the college ranks because the youth tennis world is primarily comprised of singles tournaments. This all changes at the collegiate level.

"The transition into college tennis is extremely difficult for any freshman," coach Brian Boland said. "Jarmere has done a tremendous job of it."

While adjusting to a team atmosphere can bring its host of challenges, it also presents plenty of opportunities.

"I'm definitely learning a lot [from my teammates]," Jenkins said. "I'm getting a lot of practice with a good solid team and practicing with them everyday. I'm just trying to get better every time I step on the court."

The best players also learn to make some necessary adjustments on their own, and if the ITA Atlantic Regional Tournament is any sign, Jenkins is well on his way to possibly becoming the next in a long line of great Cavalier players.

Playing on a team with nationally ranked juniors Sanam Singh and Michael Shabaz, it was easy to overlook Jenkins in the tournament draw. After a slow start, however, Jenkins managed to advance all the way to the tournament finals with a semifinal sweep of the tournament's No. 4 seed, senior teammate Houston Barrick. The freshman will play Singh in the championship match at a later date.

"Going into the regionals, coach and I were working on my serve so the first couple of matches I was really trying to work on those," Jenkins said. "Then as the rounds progressed, I was able to play my best when I needed to most."

Jenkins knows he cannot afford to rest if he wishes to continue his rise to the premier levels of collegiate tennis.

"I always want to work on the mental game and become more mentally solid," Jenkins said.

If the past few weeks are any indication, those hitting the courts in Connecticut should be wary of what an ever-maturing Jenkins is capable of achieving.

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