Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

It seemed like just yesterday I arrived on the Saint Mary’s campus and walked into coach Halberg’s office for the first time. It was the perfect way to start off my career here at Saint Mary’s. Four years have come and gone faster than I ever thought possible! The tennis team here has been amazing and I have created so many friends and memories that will last way longer than I will be playing tennis. We have had many highs—including making playoffs freshman year and our trip to England—but now it's time to call it a career and let the next round of studs take my place and keep Saint Mary’s tennis at a high level. I want to first thank the upper classmen who were here when I was a freshman—Lunka, Puff, Bobby, Andrew, and Gavin—you guys showed me how to play at the college level, and put a fire in me from the minute I got here to be a part of a very successful team. I'll never forget that freshman year—it was one of the best of my life.
    
I would like to thank coach Halberg for putting up with me for four years—from going to his office to talk every day, to having to deal with my loudness at practice every night. I always loved listening to your stories, riding shotgun in the car going to matches, picking your brain to try and see what being a coach was all about, and talking old-school tennis players that I never saw but could try and model my game after. I need to thank you for dragging me to England—I know I was a pain at first, but it was an amazing trip and while the food wasn't my favorite, playing on grass and seeing London will be something I will never forget. You were always open to getting extra hitting in my first two years—which I think really helped my overall game and helped me win a lot of matches! You are the most laid back coach I've ever had, and I will always love playing for you. Thank you for everything and I hope you don't get lonely in your office next year without my visits!
    
Next, I would like to thank Blake Duden for being the greatest assistant coach possible. You have given up so much of your time to hang out with some college kids and play tennis. I don't think one thank-you is enough for all the time and extra hitting you did with me whenever I needed to tweak something or learn something—it didn't matter the day or time, you were always there for me.  I always loved talking sports with you and listening to 7th floor crew whenever we hit, but Blake, I hate to tell you this, FSU still isn't going to win. #onwisconsin! Finally, I want thank you for letting us hang out with your dogs and having bonfires at your place—it was great having a house to go to and have a blast with Kolby, Drew, Tito, and Lexi—not to mention Leanne, the best team mom ever! So thank you for putting up with me for four long years, you have made me a better player and love the game of tennis that much more.
    
I would like to mention the Cardinal women’s team—you guys were a blast to hang out with this year. Kirsten, you are a great player and it's been a fun four-year run (even though you skipped out on one of those years!). You were the best RA ever, and I'm sorry you had to put up with me, Blake, and Warren! Katie, it sucks you aren't playing this year, but I can speak for everyone when I say, “We miss you!” Ashley, you were always someone to talk to and kept Brenden in check. Summer, Marissa, Julia, Sheyenne, and Laura—you guys are the most fun freshman class we have had in a long time. And Shy, I'm lumping you in with them (lol), but its been a great year to get to know you all—the Saint Mary’s women’s team is in great hands!
    
Haley, you were always there to make me laugh or smile after something bad happened—you are a great friend and a better person. I will never forget playing super tennis or watching you play (I always knew your match would go the longest, because you were always grinding). I hope you have a great last year next year and I'm sure I'll be back to see you all play again!
    
Freshman/sophomores—you make tennis fun every day. I really didn't know what to expect last year when we had four new freshmen—I knew you guys were good and it's been fun to watch you grow as players. Kyle, thanks for putting up with my stupid freshman jokes, you are easy to get along with and going to be a great player if you keep working hard like this year. Zu, you are always a blast to be around and always know what to yell during matches to get us fired up and keep spirits high. And talking sports with you is always a blast. Holm, I'm glad you are finally playing singles again! You always were fun to play against in doubles and whenever I needed to know tennis scores from around the conference or country, I knew you always had them ready to go! Brenden, you have improved so much since you first stepped on campus—we knew you had game during your visit, but you have surpassed my expectations and I hope you continue to get better! One last piece of advice—get to the net! Brett, I have known you the longest, and you are always the biggest pain to play against. Whenever we played, I knew I had to play well and hit 1,000 balls to make sure I could stay in the match! I hope you can get healthy by next year and continue to rack up the wins! Boys, it's your team now—I hope you can continue with where we left off with and keep winning!
    
Tim, even though you couldn't play this year, I need to say “thank you” for bringing out the best player in me. Every day, knowing I was going to get my butt kicked, made me fight and grind for every point. I don't think I have ever played better doubles than when we were together, and I think we could compete and beat anyone! Thanks for being a great roommate and showing me that off-campus was definitely the way to go. It sucks you couldn't play this year, but you definitely got me ready to lead the charge and compete at the highest spot in the conference.
    
Next, I would like to thank the seniors that have gone through the journey with me for four years. Garen, Warren, and Blake—you guys are the best set of teammates I could have asked for. We have come a long way from freshman year. Garen, you always said you were in tennis for the free food and the road trips—and you always made those trips a blast. From hosting fantasy drafts or team dinners, you made it a lot easier for our team to bond and have a good time. You have improved a lot and it's great to see you playing in the more important matches! You might be the greatest money player I have ever seen—with the craziest hands. It's been a fun four-year ride with you and I won't soon forget it!
  
Warren, you were the first guy I met all the way back when we were seniors in high school at the first December tournament. We played well together, so I was excited to continue to get to play with you. Though we never got to play a ton together, I believe we are undefeated in doubles when we did get paired up! You were the best roommate freshman and sophomore year that I could have asked for. We always had a great time together and got along great! And there was even more team bonding when Blake joined us in the dorm sophomore year—and I wouldn't change the time we had living together for anything. Blake, I remember warming up with you every day freshman year, and constantly going to the park to hit outside for the next few years. You were always so much fun to watch and talk sports with. I need to thank you for introducing me to canes and watching Gopher tennis. Those weekends staying with you dad and watching the Gophers was something I would always circle on my schedule. It was really fun to get to room with you sophomore year—and having the greatest room set-up the three of us could possibly have. I also always loved having to play you, because you always jacked up your level and made me play my best to make sure I could stay with or beat you. I'm really happy we get to play doubles this year, even though we have been both beat up a lot—I wouldn't want to go out playing with anyone else for our senior years! Garen, Blake, and Warren, you guys are some of the best friends and teammates I could have asked for—I am happy I got to live with you two, and honored to be a teammate for all three of you guys. Thank you for making these past four years memorable.
    
I guess I forgot one person I need to thank—Megan Vandenberg. I don't even know where to start with you, but I guess thank you for always being there the past three years for my highest highs and the lowest lows—whether it was tennis or school. It seems like every part of our friendship involved something to do with tennis—whether it was England, Florida, or just hanging out in Green Bay—whenever we were bored, we would just go hit. And those moments are the ones I won't forget. It's going to be weird not being able to watch you play as much next year, but you are in good hands and you'll have an amazing senior year. Thank you again for always wanting to hit and always cheering me on, whether I was getting blown out or crushing someone!
    
Finally, I would like to thank my family. To my grandparents, for always making the trip up to Orlando to watch us play on spring break, and to my other grandparents, who don't know a lot about the sport but would always try to learn and ask questions. To my aunts and uncles, who would come and watch me play in the Cities or in Wisconsin. Lastly, to my parents—who completely supported me when I stopped playing baseball and picked up a tennis racket freshman year of high school. They have come to almost every home match the past four years and it's always a blessing to play in front of them. Mom, thank you for always being able to hit with me, or just watching me serve if I needed to fix something. And finally, to my dad, who came to almost every match. And even if he doesn’t know the game the greatest, he would always try to coach—and most of the time, the stuff would work! So thank you Mom and Dad, for always making the weekend trips and making it fun for me and for the team.
    
Saint Mary's has been an amazing experience for me, and I wouldn't want to play tennis anywhere else. Thank you everyone for making these last four years truly special and memorable.