Cavalier Corner

June 2014

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"With that said, we've had others who, after a couple years, decided they wanted to move on to Wall Street or go into business or law or something else. It's not my job to decide what they ought to be doing with their lives. It's my obligation to support them and give them everything that I can to provide them the best opportunity for success." Domijan certainly had plenty of that during his Virginia career. The Wesley Chapel, Fla., native burst onto the college scene, winning an ITA All-American title en route to being named Freshman of the Year. Last season, Domijan was instru- mental in helping Virginia win its first-ever NCAA title. Boland puts Domijan's accomplishments right up there with the likes of former UVa greats Brian Vahaly and Somdev Devvarman. "He's as good as any player who's ever played here," Boland said. While Domijan's season didn't end the way he would have liked it — Virginia lost in the semifi- nals of the NCAA Tournament to rival USC, and he lost in the first round of the NCAA Singles Cham- pionship to Minnesota's Leandro Toledo — he has nothing to hang his head about. Domijan was the ACC Player of the Year, posting a 26-2 singles record. In doubles, he teamed with second-year Harrison Richmond to go 12-1. "Once he gets going, it's tough for anybody and he's able to take over," Richmond said. Domijan finished with 128 career singles victo- ries, the fifth-most in school history. But what stood about Domijan even more than his dominance during his time in Charlottesville was his humility. In the spring, he received the 2014 Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award, the ITA's longest-running award, which goes to a Divi- sion I men's player who displays sportsmanship, character and excellent academics, and who has had outstanding tennis playing accomplishments. Domijan became the third Cavalier to win the award, joining Somdev Devvarman (2007) Sanam Singh (2011). "He's one of the most unselfish, hardworking, disciplined, focused players that has played for me in my almost 20 years as a head coach," Boland said. "He's an incredible player, certainly one of the best in the country, but an even better person. He is admired, respected by his teammates, and he just goes about his business every single day. "He's Mr. Reliable. We al- ways know what we're going to get each and every day in practices and matches. The team follows his lead." Truly, a perfect addition for the Navy. Fourth-year Justin Shane said Domijan's choice was, at first, a little surprising. "But I could see where he's coming from," said Shane, who roomed with Domijan. "Having been tennis-oriented his whole life, that can definitely wear down on people." Virginia third-year Mitchell Frank said Domijan had been talking seriously about a career in the military for a couple years. "For me, I kind of wish he would play pro be- cause he's just so good," Frank said. "That being said, he's going to make a great Navy SEAL. The guy is as disciplined as they come. He'll work. He does everything he's told." Domijan said he is firm in his plans to give back to his country. "I'm going to go through with it," he said, fol- lowing a win over Wake Forest on senior day. "I've thought about it for about three years now. I'm going to graduate and then I'm going to go for it." The soft-spoken big fella will be missed by Wa- hoo Nation. "I feel like I've learned as much from him as hopefully he's learned from me," Boland said. ◆ "I like the idea of sacrifice, discipline and the values of the military." DOMIJAN i22-23.Alex Domijan.indd 3 6/3/14 2:36 PM

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