SoSCTAuthern California Tennis Asociation news MARCH 2003 College Tennis: Up Close And Personal Mark Winters oungsters from Southern California worthy. “Being from the west, I didn’t have a distinct advantage when know that much about the school,” she Ychoosing a college. Because of the said. “I visited, both officially and unoffi- section’s competitive depth, schools cially, 11schools.I talked with many coach- across the country are anxious to add es.I knew I didn't want to go to a pro- local players, numbered among the US gram that was really intense. elite, to their rosters. While deciding on a “I was here during 9-11. I spent five university is often as difficult as choosing days pretty much alone. I really got a whom to marry, a number of SoCal per- good feeling from the students and the formers have moved their talents beyond campus. Friends told me I would get this the sectional boundaries in order to pur- weird feeling when I found the right sue an education and tennis. school. I could see myself walking on the These individuals have benefited from campus and relating to the other kids.” the experience. With the intercollegiate season in full swing, Rylan Rizza, Doug (continued on next page) Stewart and Lori Stern of the University of Virginia, Brian Wilson of Illinois and Caylan Leslie of Notre Dame discussed what their life is like in a new locale. Leaving home is never easy, particular- Brian Wilson ly when you grow up in an area where the weather is postcard perfect and it's “Stanford, Princeton and Yale were some easy to have a testing workout nearly of the schools I visited, but my main cri- every day. Given all the Southern teria was good academics and a coach California pluses, Leslie’s move to South who would develop my game so that, in Bend, Indiana was novel indeed. “I wanted time, I could turn pro. The Ivy League to leave the state because I figured I had schools don't get much competition. the next four years to do whatever I Here they are building a program.” wanted,” the junior said. “I want to expe- Stewart has been his team’s top player rience other things. I told the coaches, and Rizza, also a freshman, is a solid No. but none of them believed me. I contact- 3. “Initially, I was a little hesitant,” he ed many schools, but it came down to admitted. “I came in hoping it would be Notre Dame or Vanderbilt.” what I expected and I love it.I couldn’t Stewart was looking for the ultimate ask for more. The team is so close and academic/tennis match. “Actually, I never the coaches are even more dedicated thought about going to Virginia, but coach than the players. I’ve got it all.” (Brian Boland) pretty much wouldn't That Stern, another freshman from leave me alone,” the freshman explained. SoCal, is attending UVA is movie script Caylan Leslie College Tennis: is the fall leaves, the first snow or the hint a little. Maybe I of spring, the energy changes; it’s a feeling will wear a col- Up Close And Personal that unites the campus. People will lay lared shir t and (continued from previous page) outside in bathing suits when the sun a sweater” comes out for the first time in three There is much months and it's only 55 degrees. It’s funny, more than sar- I can’t really describe how happy I am torial splendor with each season.” to the Stewart, Wilson is now a cold weather veteran. Rizza, Stern, “The weather was my biggest adjustment Leslie and Wilson by far,” Wilson said. “My first winter was story. Each indi- the worst, but I enjoy indoor tennis.” He Doug Stewart vidual has made added, "when I first came here I had long their teams hair and a pretty good tan. All the girls stronger.” Doug and Rylan have done a would comment on my hair and tan. They great job representing Southern kept asking me if I was going tanning. California,” said Brian Boland, the men’s Even the guys on the team thought I had coach at University of Virginia.” Doug is a fake tan.” the No. 1 recruit in his class. He is dedi- Attitudes differ across the country. cated to the team and has the work “The people are different, a lot more ethic, desire and potential to help conservative,” Wilson continued. “I grew Virginia tennis rise to the top. Rylan is a up in San Diego and went to a lot of tremendous athlete with unlimited concerts in Hollywood. It wasn’t surpris- potential. He will be an impact player for ing for me to see long hair or Mohawks. us and should only get better with expe- I don’t see Mohawks here.” rience. They are both outstanding stu- According to Stern, campus fashion is dent-athletes and we are very lucky to another area of difference. “A lot of boys have them. I look for them to lead us Lori Stern wear loafers or Birkenstocks with plaid into the future.” multi-color shorts and pastel shirts.Rylan UVA’s women’s coach, Phil Rogers, In Wilson’s case, the coach’s background has definitely changed, but Doug hasn’t said of Stern, “I couldn’t have asked for a closed the deal for Illinois. The junior said, conformed. I didn’t think I would get better kid or better player. She is hold- “I had offers to stay in California, but I involved, but I joined a sorority (Kappa ing down No. 3.She has a great sense of wanted to find a program that was grow- Alpha Theta - Thetas). I’m not going for humor; everyone on the team adores ing. I also wanted to find a coach who the pearls, though. You will have to check her, including the coaches. She is a very would help my jump to the next level. I with me later about that.” unusual talent; a very relaxed hitter of knew coach (Craig) Tiley had worked Rizza was quick the ball who has great hands and has with a lot of good players and had been to admit he was turned into a good doubles player. She the South African Davis Cup team styling, but with will get even better once she gets used coach.” a reason. “I’m to college tennis and knows she can win Tiley added, “we have had players from ‘tucked out’ be- on this level.” Southern California before. Our success cause my room- Notre Dame’s women’s coach Jay with Brian came about because of the mate is a southern Louderback said of the left-handed Leslie, groundwork laid. We were interested in boy and he has “Caylan is going to be a key for us this him from the start. Many of the other influenced me,” he year if she is healthy. S h e c a n p l ay at the schools didn't pursue him until he finished said. “The ward- top of the lineup and, with so many fresh- No. 1 in the Southern California Boy’s 18 robe is much more men, we’re going to need her experience.” and No. 5 nationally.” conservative than Tiley said of Wilson,“he struggled aca- Outside of SoCal, weather is an issue. where I went to demically in the beginning, but has made Rylan Rizza Having a real winter requires adjust- high school where great strides in the classroom and on the ments. As Stern said, “there are piles of it was jeans and T-shirts. My mom likes it court. I am very proud of what he has snow everywhere and it’s definitely cold. and is willing to buy more polo’s. She accomplished and I know he can do even I had never played indoors before. I took doesn't want me looking like a bum.” more for Illinois.” the weather in Southern California for Even Stewart has altered his dress The players reacted to the praise by granted.” code. "The clothes they are wearing are expressing similar feelings about their situ- Leslie appreciates her situation. “I like totally different,” he said. “They go ations. “I love the city and the social life,” the seasons,” she said. “With the changes, around in pink collared shirts, light Stewart said. “The academics and the team everyone is excited. It doesn’t matter if it yellow shorts and loafers. I’ve changed (continued on page 4) 2 Mercedes Benz Cup Sampras, Hewitt And Safin Set For Mercedes-Benz Cup Michael Chang To Be Tournament Honoree To b y Zwikel he 2003 Mercedes-Benz Cup, July will be admitted with a $5 donation. 25 through August 3, is set to be Activities for the day include: an ATP ten- Tone of the best tournaments in the nis exhibition; a meet the players photo event’s long and storied history. This is and autograph session; a gift from the supported by the commitment of the fol- AT P a n d i c e cream, along with a ticket to lowing players: all-time Grand Slam king the afternoon matches. Tickets will be and reigning U.S. Open champion Pete available the morning of July 29th only. Sampras; current world No. 1 and Reservations are necessary only for Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt; groups of more than 10. For more infor- 2000 U.S. Open champion and No. mation, call (310) 824-1010, Ext.