Ask any casual tennis fan, and he or she will probably tell you that, of course, tennis is an individual sport.

Ask almost any collegiate tennis player, and you'll get a whole different perspective -- college tennis is a team game.

The No. 59 Penn State men's tennis team held its end of the year banquet Monday at the Nittany Lion Inn. While three individual awards were presented, the theme of the night was anything but individual accomplishment. For the 2004-2005 installment of the Nittany Lions, team always seemed to come first.

Usually during banquets, awards are given and seniors give a sort of farewell speech. However for the senior-less Lions, a new format came for speeches. Penn State coach Jan Bortner gave each player a question to answer and prepare for the banquet; his question, "Why do you play the game -- why do you play college tennis?"

Each player took the podium and introduced himself, then gave a short explanation. A common trend was that they love the game of tennis, it helped fuel a competitive desire -- but most importantly for their teammates.

Every player mentioned his teammates in his respective answer, and one got the feeling they actually meant it, like when freshman Anthony Gruppo said, "for the team environment, I couldn't imagine it without these guys."

Sophomore Ryan Berger, winner of the Holmes Cathrall Coaches' Award, added that he played for his teammates, and it was so much more enjoyable with the team, rather than just playing for his self.

Berger won the coaches' award, named for former coach Cathrall, who coached tennis at Penn State for 26 years, for going above and beyond what the coaches asked. While exhibiting toughness and representing the values a coach, and the university, would like to see in an athlete, the most important criteria for the award was Berger's commitment to the team, beyond just his self.

Berger told the attendees, "You guys are my family, I wouldn't be here without you guys -- I love you all."

Other awards went to junior, and No. 1 singles player, Mark Barry, who took home the Iron Man Award for his dedication to practices, the weight room, the track -- giving 100 percent all day, every day and most importantly, inspiring his teammates to do the same. Freshman Michael James won the Most Improved Player Award for his strong play throughout the season, and "won matches when it mattered most for the team," Bortner said.

The Lions, a young team with no senior players, have strung together a successful season, going 15-5, 4-4 in the Big Ten, to date, by playing as a team in what otherwise would be an individual sport. They have done it with perseverance and persistence Bortner said, working through injuries and setbacks together, believing in each other, and could have a chance to make the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1999.