Virginia coach Brian Boland's team won the ACC Tournament title.

The Virginia men's tennis team wrapped up the ACC portion of its schedule by dominating en route to the ACC Tournament title. The results? The third tourney championship in four years, a league winning streak now at 16 matches, and the ACC Tournament MVP in Ted Angelinos. That's what you call a good weekend. The team now gets a break before the NCAA Tournament pairings are announced, which gives coach Brian Boland a chance to tackle some more questions in this Sabre feature.

Question 1 (RunningHoo) Recap: What is the biggest challenge in convincing a recruit that could go pro to come to college to play instead? Are there any indicators that a particular recruit may be swayed one way or the other (pro vs. college)?

Coach Boland: I believe the biggest challenge in recruiting a player who has professional tennis aspirations is convincing them that they can develop their tennis in college and have a chance to make it on the tour. We have had numerous stories of players come in and really develop their games in college. The prospect has to be willing to stay extremely disciplined and focused and for that type of young man, college is almost always the correct decision. Growing both as a player as well as a person really can help these young athletes once they get on the tour. The tour is a grind to work your way up and one has to be mature enough to handle it. For most of these recruits, college is the correct decision.

Question 2 (phini_atlanta) Recap: What is your strategy/approach to practice throughout the year? Do you spend the week doing drills or do you have "mini-matches" (tiebreakers, sets) between players? Does the routine vary depending on the point of the season?

Coach Boland: Our strategy to practice varies throughout the year. In the fall we focus a lot on specific technical items each player needs to improve. Thus, in the fall we do individual practices focusing on specific areas a player needs to spend time on. Team practice during the fall season consists more on point play and doubles work so the players can put into action what we have worked on.

The spring is a busier season with more matches so we continue to do a lot of individual work but not nearly as much technical work. We make sure each player gets what they need and practice both their strengths and weaknesses. Team practice in the spring is spent a lot on doubles and point play situations such as tiebreakers, sets, etc. Each player has individual needs and practice tendencies that we work with throughout both seasons.

Question 3 (WahooFla) Recap: Was the team (or certain players) motivated by the results of the All-ACC voting for the ACC Tournament?

Coach Boland: We do not discuss such items and I completely avoid bringing them up. Every single player on this team is concerned with how the team performs and individual awards will take care of themselves. We congratulate all of the players and coaches that won the ACC awards. Luigi D'Agord was 11-0 in the ACC and was very deserving and UNC had one of their best years in school history and started 20-0. We just simply congratulate those award winners as they are very deserving and focus on the things we have control over.

In regard to Lee Singer, we are proud of the year he has had thus far, but to be named All-ACC you have to be voted as one of the best 18 players in the conference. His time will come. Voting is done on a point total. For example, for ACC Player of the Year I believe there were at least 8 players on the ballot and the head coaches rank them 1-8. The player with the fewest points wins (8 first place votes would be 8 points and 8 eighth place votes would be 64). The other awards are voted on in exactly the same fashion.

Question 4 (wadhoo) Recap: Does this ACC Championship impact recruiting for next year? How does winning conference titles affect recruiting in general?

Coach Boland: Well it certainly doesn't hurt. I don't know exactly how much winning the tournament affects recruiting. I believe recruiting is more affected by the program as a whole and winning conference championships is part of a successful program. All areas are important: facilities, budget, strength of schedule, coaches, players, results, etc. I don't think a recruit will choose a program solely because they win a conference title, but it does show the strength of our team and players and the amount they improve when they come to Virginia.

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