RICC v. Brown

Whoever Hates Losing Raise Your Hand

If you did not raise your hand you're off the team. The "full loss" to Newport was disappointing but we didn't know any better. The loss to Brown was a miserable experience for all concerned. Why aren't we winning our matches? Are we good enough? Do we not understand the game as well as our opponent? Do we not hit the ball as hard? Do we not have the skill and athleticism necessary to win?

Just looking at those questions has started to piss me off! Our team is made up of some of the best athletes I have ever known. Every member of our team was a varsity athlete in college (I thing Coogs was on the synchro swimming team at PC). We know how to win; we beat every team last year to such an extent that it was boring by the end of the season. We train; we have clinics, we watch DVDs of the best matches in the World; we take lessons from a World class pro.

The reason we are not succeeding is in our head. We need to be confident when we step on court. We have to trust each of our individual games. For example, there is nothing more disconcerting to a left hander than deciding to play your first serve from the right hand box, even after he reminds you that he is left handed. (Screw him; he's playing my game). We need to approach every match like we did last year. We MUST walk into the courts a little taller, a little stronger, a lot more fit and a lot more confident than our opponent. Lift your chin and talk to the people around your opponent and not to him. As my college coach used to say, "You're not out there to make friends; you're out there to win. You can shake his hand when the match is over." Tell me if I'm wrong but, isn't it a great feeling to buy a beer for a guy right after you just kicked his ass? It feels like you just hit another nick!

The internal doubt must stop. Believe in yourself. Believe you will win when you start the match and commit to the belief.


Bye Week

This was a good week off for us. We were a little banged and bruised. We have numerous injuries and over used body parts that could use a little rest (Jenks). Coogy came back a little early even though he said he was going to stay out until the new year. That's either Irish conviction or the addictive properties of Squash rearing its ugly head.

Neener chose the right week to cosmetically enhance her appearance. Two weeks off from squash to take slow peacefull walks? Oh to be a Barrington housewife! I still don't understand why anyone would get calf defining implants.

Hadley made his first appearance for us this year. Great to have you out with us Hads! We all understand how hard it is to come back from not playing on a consistent basis. Don't get discouraged. The guy you played at #3 was as good as any #1 on any other team. Brown's line-up is a bit skewed.

Post Match

Ross Simon's seems to be the better pick. 1/2 price bar food and grilled pizza after 9:00 p.m. I'm actually going to talk to the people at TPG and let them know we want to patronize them but it's much more cost effective and fiscally responsible for us to eat at Ross Simon.

Stretching and Massaging

Should we get Athena to help us or not. I need to know.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Capt. Morgan