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It's that time of year when tennis dreams and emotions are riding high in the afterglow of the U.S. Open. When late August arrives I can't help but relive the excitement I used to feel before heading back to Rutgers University for another year of NCAA tennis. I would spend my time wondering if all the hard work over the summer would pay off, and how the new recruits would fit into our team dynamic.

My college career is in the past, and Rutgers tennis was unfortunately eliminated by the Athletic Department. So instead of living in withdrawal, I focus my thoughts on other teams throughout the country as the fall tennis season arrives.

This fall, the men's team that stands out to me is the University of Virginia. The Cavs made an unprecedented run into the NCAA semifinals last spring before falling to Georgia, and there's no question they are on pace to reverse that result. They became the first-ever ACC squad to make it that far in the Big Dance, and one can assume that this is just the beginning for UVA! Coach Brian Boland will surely have his team ready, and defending Champion Somdev Devvarman is back in the lineup for his final season.

The other two men's programs that stand out are the University of Georgia and Notre Dame. Manny Diaz may have lost his ATP stud John Isner to the tour, but Louis Flores will surely carry the torch for the Dawgs in 2007-2008. Actually, it wouldn't be out of the question to see a player like Flores make a solid run on the tour after college, considering he already has a few strong Futures results under his belt.