Model senior closing career

Commitment to tennis, respect of the game, excellence and the belief that the human spirit can accomplish what they desire if they are willing to pay the price. \nThis sentence on the men's tennis team's Web site explains the philosophy of coach Ken Hydinger, and it describes senior Ari Widlansky, too. Widlansky exemplifies the above qualities. He is a piece in the IU tennis program puzzle, and his attitude mirrors that of his coach.\nWidlansky hasn't played in all of, or even the majority of, the matches during his career at IU, but he continues to persevere. To put it in perspective, senior Milan Rakvica has played in 132 career singles matches, while Widlansky has played in only 50, including 13 this year. He is 24-26 in his career, with a 7-6 record this year, but that doesn't bother him much. \nWhen Widlansky doesn't play, he attempts to get the players to stay positive on the court. Hydinger always stresses emotional control on the court, and Widlansky helps the players by supplying support and energy. Widlansky said it's hard to sit out, but someone has to do it. \n"We cheer for each other," he said. "You want to be able to play and help the team, but we just want to win."\nWidlansky's strong support has yielded others to cheer more for their teammates as well. He is steadily improving his play, cruising in his last singles match 6-1, 6-1 against Evansville. In addition, he won in doubles 8-2 with freshman Jullien Vulliez. \n"He knows what's going on," Rakvica said. "He's done a great job leading the younger players by example."\nWidlansky, a business major, said the highlight of his career is simply attending IU. He is from Coral Springs, Fla., and wanted a change; the Midwest provided one. \n And since that change of scenery, Widlansky has helped the Hoosiers make the NCAA Tournament each of his first three years. Last year, he played in the first round of the NCAA Regionals against Indiana State. He lost at the No. 6 singles position, and the Hoosiers suffered the same fate 4-1. Plus, he won the ITA Regional Florida Doubles Tournament with former IU player Paul Jacobson in the summer of 2000. \nBesides helping the team as a whole, Widlansky has spent this season helping the younger players adjust to the college level. He said they've played well this spring and have proved to be quick learners. There are eight freshmen on the team, and Widlansky said sometimes you have to tell them what to do. But that's expected from such a novice group.\nWidlansky has used tennis to broaden his horizons. Last summer in Israel, he won the bronze in doubles at the World Maccabi Games. It was a three-week tournament, and about 400 athletes participated in the event. It was held at a time when there was unrest in the Middle East, yet Widlansky decided to attend. He was very satisfied with the opportunity and would take it again if offered. \n"There were many different types of people there," Widlansky said. "It was an experience of a lifetime."\nWidlansky said he'll miss the competition more than anything after this season. In terms of his career, he doesn't know what he will do. He said he'll be sad to end his career but also excited to start another chapter of his life.\nHydinger will miss Widlansky's helping hand.\n"You need a brick on the foundation or else the building is going to fall," Hydinger said. "Widlansky is a stable, stable player, and he will be missed"