Paying Tribute: A Season Ended Too Soon [NAIA]

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To all of our coaches, student-athletes, teammates, and friends across the country, your health is what matters most. This is a tough time. This is also a great time to turn and look after each other, our families and teams around us.

As the situation with COVID-19/Coronavirus is extremely dynamic, we will continue to promote our teams and assist in the prevention of the spread of the virus. As you would expect, we’re doing what we can to help preserve the memory of the season that was cut too short.

Just as your teammates are special to you, you are all special to us. We’ve shared many great moments over the last few months and we’re excited to do so during the 2020-2021 season.

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Today, the NAIA officially announced our seasons have ended. For the past 7 years, our seasons have ended in Mobile, Alabama in the month of May holding a national championship trophy. Both squads were experiencing special and undefeated seasons in 2020. I certainly understand and support the decision by the NAIA but it doesn’t take away the pain of the amount of effort and work put in by my student-athletes since August. As Grizz tennis student-athletes, the entire goal is to have an opportunity to win a national championship in May. I feel both teams were well on their way in regards to capturing that goal as both teams were currently ranked #1 in the nation. A big thanks to all members of the 2019-20 program. I appreciate all that you have contributed to the program. To my women’s program (11-0 record, 19 match winning streak) : Seniors: Madeline Bosnjak, Emerald Richelle Able, and Debora Ema Scurt Juniors: Maria Genovese Sophomores: Tereza Koplová Freshman: Selina Pichler and Liza Velykorodna To my men’s program (14-0 record, 123 match winning streak): Seniors: Gregor El Toro Hutterer, Sergio Valinotti, Fede Herrera Duran, Mika Kosonen Juniors: Daniel Czepielewski, Valentino Caratini, Federico Bonacia Sophomores: Jose Dugo Reyes Freshman: Maxence Bertimon, Alex Gurmendi Coaches and Manager: Hannah Keeling, Robert McAdoo, Peter Greteman, and Will Carroll Athletic Director Dr. Darin Wilson and entire athletic department staff And a final thank you to my wife Vanessa Farideh Hodges as always. During this time, I wish everyone good health and safety. In order to overcome this virus, we must all take care of one another. God bless and go Grizz!

A post shared by Chase Hodges (@atlpack) on

In the meantime, since we know you all love college tennis, especially while our seasons are ending, please leave us your favorite memory. During this worldwide crisis, we’re taking measures to ensure that we continue to recognize our sport.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9u2Avdg31Z/

This is a mini-series and we will include more throughout the week, stay tuned for other divisions! We encourage teams and student-athletes to share their favorite memories with us here!

You can see the Division I tributeDivision II tribute, and the Division III tribute! Be sure to share your memories with us on social or as a comment below.

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