MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions: Head Coach Ronni Bernstein
7/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
July 22, 2011
Each weekday in the month of July, MGoBlue.com will feature an interview with a U-M head coach. Friday's (July 22) second interview is with the leader of the women's tennis program, Ronni Bernstein, who discusses a young group of returnees, staying in Ann Arbor with her children, and living a life of tennis.
What makes the summer in women's tennis so unique?
It gives us a chance to work on some different things. Some of the girls stayed for spring term, and if they voluntarily come by, we can try some new things. It is a good time to change some techniques and things because we are not competing and they are more open to it. It gives the girls a chance to play some individual tournaments away from the college atmosphere and just get away for a little bit. And, of course, it is a time when we are recruiting a lot.
Why are the summer months so important to the development of the team?
I think it gives the kids a break. It is pretty intense during the year with school and all the tennis that we play. It just gives them an opportunity to work on their tennis and try some different things. They can tweak some things, changes grips and other little things that they might want to work on. There is more time to do stuff like that because when they are competing, they don't want to change. Looking forward, we are out there recruiting and trying to take advantage of the summer months because that is when everyone is playing in the biggest events. You get to see everybody and figure out who you want to recruit.
What do you see as the team's biggest strength heading into next season?
We are going to have some talent in the lineup. We are going to be young, but I think our talent level will be up there. Half our team is going to be new and we obviously have a lot to replace with that senior class graduating. But Brooke (Bolender) and Sam (Critser) came in last year and really worked hard and had a huge impact on our team. I think they set the bar there. We have Mimi (Nguyen) and Michelle (Sulahian) back as well, so we have a veteran group even if it is a small group. While we are going to be young, we have recruited some really good kids talent-wise who can improve a lot and have a ton of upside. Time will tell, but we are excited to get some fresh faces in and kids who are going to work hard.
What was your first summer job? And where?
I really didn't work. I played tennis so much that I never really had a job. When I got out of school in the summer, all I did was travel and play tennis. But I guess that was a job. I was a tennis bum.
Do you or did you have any special travel plans this summer?
Recruiting is my biggest thing this summer. I am leaving for a clay-court tournament soon. I am going to be on the road a lot for the second half of the summer looking at different kids. I just got back from a week-long trip to Florida with my family to visit the rest of our family who still live down there. But I like being in Ann Arbor. If I had a choice, I would stay here all the time. The weather is awesome and it is just nice to be here and relax.
Since your season ended, tell us one unique thing you have done?
I spent the entire month of June at home. I think that is pretty unique. We are on the road so much as coaches that being able to spend that much time at home is great. I reacquainted with my family. I don't think I have been here for that long since I have started here. It was nice to go to my kids' events and see them play their sports.
Past MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions
• Head Field Hockey Coach Marcia Pankratz (July 22)
• Head Women's Basketball Coach Kevin Borseth (July 21)
• Head Men's Lacrosse Coach John Paul (July 20)
• Head Wrestling Coach Joe McFarland (July 19)
• Head Women's Track & Field Coach James Henry (July 19)
• Head Women's Golf Coach Cheryl Stacy (July 18)
• Head Rowing Coach Mark Rothstein (July 15)
• Head Women's Swimming Coach Jim Richardson (July 14)
• Head Volleyball Coach Mark Rosen (July 13)
• Head Men's Soccer Coach Steve Burns (July 12)
• Head Women's Cross Country Coach Mike McGuire (July 11)
• Head Men's Cross Country Coach Alex Gibby (July 11)
• Head Women's Soccer Coach Greg Ryan (July 8)
• Head Men's Tennis Coach Bruce Berque (July 7)
• Head Men's Track & Field Coach Fred LaPlante (July 6)
• Head Water Polo Coach Matt Anderson (July 5)
• Head Men's Swimming & Diving Coach Mike Bottom (July 1)
