"Rock and Roll" Tops the Charts at Buffalo

Men's tennis freshmen finding success as doubles pair

The University at Buffalo men's tennis team has seen some changes this year. With the addition of 12 freshmen, the team has transformed into a local powerhouse. Two of the most notable additions include the dynamic doubles duo nicknamed "Rock and Roll."

Nick Zieziula

Randy "Rock" Rocchio of East Amherst, NY and Nick "Roll" Zieziula of Hamburg, NY have compiled an impressive 12-2 record competing for UB and went 2-1 at the prestigious Milwaukee Tennis Classic where they competed unattached.

These Western New York natives spent most of their tennis careers in competition before joining forces at UB.

"Randy and I never played each other in a high school match because I was in the Catholic league and he played in a public school," said Zieziula. "But in juniors, we played many times. Right from 12 and under tournaments through 18 and under’s, we met fairly often. It got to be a heated rivalry because we were very close and played at rival clubs in the area. When we got up into 18’s we became friends, but when we played in tournaments, it was still a battle. The last two years of juniors, I think we ended up with a dead even record against each other."

According to men's tennis head coach Russ Crispell, the pair has transitioned from competitors to incredible doubles partners.

"Randy and Nick were competitors against each other for so many years in the USTA before joining forces," said Crispell. "They are now one of the best doubles teams that I have ever coached."

Zieziula, a communications major, has been playing tennis for as long as he can remember. He attributes his success to the unending support supplied by his family.

"My family has without a doubt been the greatest influence in my life. On court and off, they are always there," said Zieziula. "My dad was always willing to take me up to the village courts and hit balls with me, and when I was playing junior tournaments he and my mother were more than willing to endure repeated weekend car rides from Hamburg to New York City and Albany for tournaments. Even when they had to watch me lose first round, they wouldn’t complain but helped me to learn from the matches and prepare for the next tournament."

Rocchio echoed his sentiments, identifying his father as his greatest influence and the one who helped him get his start in tennis.

The transition from rivals to teammates didn't take too much time according to Rocchio.

Randy Rocchio

"Well, it took me about a week to understand that we were going to be great friends and that Nick was an awesome guy," said Rocchio. "After I realized that, we just clicked and became good friends."

Zieziula agreed. "We have learned to keep the competition on court. When we shake hands at the end of a match (in practice or anywhere) it's over and that’s it."

Of course, all of the team-building exercises probably didn't hurt.

"Coach Crispell is a big fan of team-building stuff, so we are always doing things to strengthen not only doubles teams, but the entire team," said Zieziula. "In the beginning of the year, we would go on long runs around campus, but the team had to carry a large rock around. We had to work together to share the burden and make it through. Coach always has a challenge for us that keeps us growing together."

There are many reasons why these two tennis players make such a good pair.

"Randy is the more technically sound tennis player, whereas I tend to rely more on my athleticism and quickness, so in a way we are opposites," said Zieziula. "But the biggest thing that has made us a good doubles team is hard work and trust."

When Rocchio and Zieziula decided to enter the 2002 Milwaukee Tennis Classic in January, the duo took major steps to improve their play.

"We were on court every day over break, sometimes putting in two practices a day even when we were off," said Zieziula. "When we got to the tournament, a lot of things went wrong…We only had each other to rely on and trust, and that experience helped us grow together in a big way."

Beyond their skills, the pair simply seems to click when they step onto the court.

"We can focus and get down to business when we need to," said Rocchio. "We also pump each other up, and we constantly talk to each other the whole match to cool ourselves and tell each other signals on weak spots that we have seen."

The "getting down to business" approach the duo takes when playing matches can occasionally take some time to build momentum and is linked to the roots of the nickname "Rock and Roll." Rocchio held the nickname "Rock" prior to joining UB's team, but it wasn't until he and Zieziula got started as doubles partners that the rest of it was added.

Zieziula and Rocchio

"Randy and I were playing all of our matches together and we had been doing very well," said Zieziula. "The one problem that we had though was getting started. We routinely gave up 4-1 and 3-0 leads in our matches before beginning to play well. We established a pattern of getting down early, and then somewhere around the fifth or sixth game, we would put together a few points that really shifted the momentum of the match. Then we would ride that momentum for six or seven games. The first match that I remember hearing 'Rock and Roll' was against Vermont. We were down 4-1 and we could tell that the competition for the doubles point was going to be very tough. Randy and I knew we had to turn the match around quickly. We did just that, taking over the net and closing in on every point that game. The Vermont players backed off the net after that game. Coach saw the momentum shift and started getting excited and the first thing that came out of his mouth was, 'That’s it boys, rock and roll now, keep that going.' We ended up going on a seven-game streak to take the match 8-4. The same thing happened that weekend against St. Lawerence, and there were probably about three other instances in the fall of that same situation happening. Coach told us after the Vermont match that he blurted it out because of our matching American flag bandanas. Whatever it was, it has stuck."

According to Coach Crispell, the pair's ability to concentrate on each point has had an effect on the entire team.

"'Rock and Roll' have been an amazing doubles team this year," said Crispell. "Their ability to focus and their desire to win has been an inspiration to everyone on the team."

The outstanding record accumulated by Rocchio and Zieziula has not left them without a few defeats.

"We have lost three times this year and it is not something that I like to encounter," said Rocchio. "We both love to win and beat great teams, but there are always days where nothing seems to go well, and then we just say to ourselves that we will play better next time and forget about it."

The biggest thing according to Zieziula is not blaming one person for the loss.

"That can tear a doubles team apart quickly," said Zieziula. "What Randy and I have focused on after a loss is the whole picture. We try to analyze what mistakes we made in the match and work on those areas to improve them."

One of the most exciting challenges facing the team will be this year's Mid-American Conference Championship, being held at UB on April 25 - 27.

"We have been on the bottom of the conference for the past couple of years, but this year we really think that we have a team that can challenge anyone in the conference," said Zieziula. "The championships are one of those things we sit and talk about on long van rides and what I think about when I can’t fall asleep at night. To get our first win in the MAC Tournament at home would be an unforgettable experience."

Rocchio agreed that the experience will be wonderful.

"It is going to be the best time of my tennis career. We are going to love playing in front of fans, and hopefully a lot of them. This will be the best tennis the Buffalo area has seen in many years, and it is an opportunity that no one should miss."

So what's next for these freshmen sensations? According to their coach, the possibilities are endless.

"Being only freshmen, I can't wait to see what is in store for them two years down the road," said Crispell. "There is no limit for what they can achieve if they want it bad enough."

Written by Laura Martin, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

04/03/2002