On this particular Wednesday afternoon, they are alone, working on Kritzinger's serve._ A lanky 6-1 sophomore, Kritzinger tosses a ball high into the air, beginning a fluid service motion that continues with a resounding "thump" as Jeffrey, the ninth year Ragin' Cajun coach, offers advice and encouragement.

The pair of transplanted Cajuns, by way of the South of France and England (Kritzinger)_ and Jeffrey (Australia and Georgia) repeat the drill, once, twice, 20 times._ Kritzinger tosses a ball, strikes it, watches it find the corner of the service box on the other side of the net.

Kritzinger wants to be in Saturday's lineup when the Cajuns meet the UTSA Roadrunners at Cajun Courts. _He knows it—and so does Jeffrey._ So the work continues for both coach and player alike.

In the previous 11 matches on the Cajuns' Spring schedule, Kritzinger has played only two times, a win at number six singles against Jackson State and an unfinished doubles match against Alcorn State.

Fast forward to Saturday._ The three doubles lineups are announced._ Kritzinger's name is not on the list._ An hour or so later, the six singles matches commence play._ Again, Kritzinger does not get the call.

What transpires over the next several hours of tennis competition between UL and UTSA does not define what kind of tennis player Michael Kritzinger is._ He's not competing in today's matches so determining that definition is not an option.

But what does transpire defines something more significant—his actions will soon make it crystal clear what kind of person Kritzinger is.

The words "ultimate teammate" soon become appropriate.

He attends to a few pre-match duties, the primary duty being the assembly and appropriate placing of three GoPros, those miniature cameras commonly used by surfers or snowboarders or people parachuting out of airplanes or BASE jumping._

Today, the GoPros will record the Cajuns' tennis matches._ That is, they will if Kritzinger can complete the assembly process._ It is not going smoothly._ The match is scheduled to start in 10 minutes.

"I take it you are not majoring in Mechanical Engineering," offers a bystander as Kritzinger struggles with the tiny devices.

His response has a tint of laughter._ "Accounting and Finance," he says.

"And after college?" the bystander asks.

"I don't want to work in an office or behind a desk," he states._ "Maybe create an LLC or do something in tennis."

Eventually with the assistance of a teammate and UL trainer Avery Rosenberry, the GoPros are assembled and properly mounted on the chain-link fence behind each court.

As the doubles matches begin, Kritzinger takes the place he has occupied for the previous six Cajuns'_ home appearances—standing in the grandstands behind courts one, two, and three.

From there, his view is unobstructed and he offers encouragement to all three matches.

"Hold on one," he shouts.

"Easy does it on three," he bellows.

After consecutive net chords results in a Roadrunner point, Kritzinger offers, "Needed a net chord on one boys."_ He is not-so-subtly telling the Cajuns' number one doubles team of Eric Perez and Coleman Wahlborg, as well as everyone in the tennis complex, that while yes, indeed, the Roadrunners won that particular point, they needed a lucky net chord to do so.

Perez and Wahlborg close out the set 6-1 as the Cajuns win the doubles point.

Kritzinger and his Ragin' Cajun teammates turn their attention to singles.

It is clear the Roadrunners will not beep-beep away easily as they win the first set on courts two, four, and five.

Kritzinger leaves his perch in the grandstands, strides onto the court, and becomes a player-coach to number one singles player Arthur Libaud and number two Pearse Dolan.

Dolan is struggling and Kritzinger's attention is directed towards the Australian._ He offers encouragement, sits down with Dolan on change-overs._ Clearly, Dolan has Kritzinger's full support.

It is not enough._ Dolan loses 6-2, 6-1.

On court one, Libaud wins the first set 6-4._ Kritzinger and Libaud converse during change-overs._ After Libaud hits a forehand winner from deep behind the baseline, he looks at Kritzinger, shouts, and pumps his fist._ A Libaud ace follows.

Kritzinger returns the fist pump, smiles, and nods his head._ It's as if Kritzinger hit that running forehand and ace himself.

Libaud closes out the set and his match at 6-3.

Kritzinger heads to court three where teammate Vlad Kramarov has his hands full in his second set, despite winning the first set 6-3. Kramarov holds on for a 6-4 win and moments later, Coleman Wahlborg overcomes his first set loss for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 on court five.

The 4-2 team victory secure, Wahlborg's teammates mob him._ Naturally, Kritzinger is in that mob.

Despite having not hit a single ball in competition the entire day, Michael Kritzinger has been an integral part of all four Cajuns' victories._

"He is the most positive person I have ever met," states Libaud._ "He knows how to calm me down._ He never says anything bad._ He helps me find strategies that are successful._ Plus, he speaks French so that is a big help."_ Libaud hails from France.

Kritzinger is direct when he comments on his role._ "It is hard not to play," he says. "Everyone wants to be on the court._ That's why we put in the_ hours, why we train hard."

He says this matter-of-factly, without a trace of self-pity or doubt._ "But if I'm not playing, I'm going to give it everything I have to my teammates._ I'll fight for them._ And when my turn comes, I know they will fight for me."_

Michael Kritzinger and his teammates depart Cajun Courts for their traditional after-match meal together.

When they return to practice Monday, Kritzinger will continue his quest to break into the Cajuns' line-up._ Putting in the hours, training hard.

And it's a good bet his teammates will be fighting for him to succeed—just as he fights for them.