Swan, Blain represent netters at clay nationals

Maybe practicing for hours at hitting tennis balls isn't your idea of fun.

But for senior Arvid Swan and the rest of the Michigan men's tennis team, it's as routine as brushing their teeth - especially after a summer spent preparing for the fall season.

"Most of the guys played over the summer," Swan said. "There is minor-league tennis where some guys played while others played on the collegiate level."

This week, Swan and senior Brook Blain compete in the National Indoor Clay Court Tournament in Baltimore, where they will try to improve their individual national rankings.

"It's the first of four major tournaments," Swan said. "We're excited and ready."

The upcoming tournament will feature the nation's best competition.

"This tourney should be very competitive because it is one of the four major events," Swan said. "So everyone's trying to improve their rankings."

The tournament sets the stage for the upcoming fall season. The fall season is not a team season - none of the fall matches affect team standings.

Swan's first and foremost interest is to have an enjoyable collegiate season while contributing leadership and skill to the team. Though each player has his own agenda for his career, Swan believes that collegiate tennis is still a team sport.

"Coming to Michigan, the young player has to make an adjustment," Swan said. "You're used to being on your own. But here tennis is a team sport in that each match counts as a team point, and every teammate is pulling for you.

"You're not just representing yourself, you're representing the University, and it's your responsibility to represent it in the best way possible."

Playing for a high-exposure team like Michigan only enhances the Wolverines' professional tennis opportunities.

"Most of the guys have potential to play after college," Swan said. "After putting in so much time, it's something most people want to do."

Swan hopes to succeed as a professional athlete, but he knows his priorities.

"It's not too bad to juggle everything, once you realize you have to make sacrifices," he said. "So long as it's school first, sports second, things work out."

Tennis won't be the only focus for the Wolverines in Baltimore, however. Swan and Blain hope to take in an Orioles game.

Baseball aside, Swan looks toward a rewarding senior year in tennis, concentrating on each match as it comes up - beginning with this week's National Indoor Clay Court Tournament.

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