July 1, 2003

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Men's tennis head coach Bob Bayliss is back on the campus of the University of Notre Dame after leading a team of collegiate all-stars to a pair of victories over Japanese teams in Tokyo last month. Bayliss and Ann Lebedoff of Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) College served as coaches of the 10-player Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Star Team that won 4-3 matches against Waseda University and the Japan Collegiate All-Star Team in Ariake Coliseum. Bayliss and Lebedoff were selected by the ITA Board of Directors to coach the squad based on overall coaching accomplishments and special achievements; sportsmanship, leadership and character; and contributions to community activities/ITA meritorious service.

On June 13, the American team, taking part in the Centennial Celebration of Waseda's men's and women's varsity tennis programs, edged the host school in a match featuring a co-ed format similar to that used by World Team Tennis, consisting of men's and women's singles and doubles and mixed doubles. The following day saw the ITA All-Stars come from behind to defeat the Japan All-Star Team, which consisted of top players from five universities: Keio, Hosei, Tsukuba, Asia, and Waseda.

The coaches and team, comprised of top players from all of the ITA's divisions (NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior/Community College), arrived in Tokyo on June 11 and returned to the United States on June 16.

This summer marked the second time Bayliss led a team of American collegiate players abroad for international competition. In 1991, he coached the United States to a gold medal in the World University Games in Sheffield, England.

For an in-depth feature story about Bayliss' trip to Japan, check www.und.com in the upcoming weeks.