Phew!

Well can't say it was an easy win but we pulled a "W" out tonight against Schlerf/Keay.

It started off with them defaulting the #2 singles because their player Rebecca Hyman called right before the match to inform Janice that her house had been robbed while she was out walking her dogs. So certainly not a good way to start off for them.

I was sure before that happened that they would not be playing Jeanine and Janice together unless they really were out for a win...well what did they do when we got the line-up and they had already lost the #2 singles, Janice and Jeanine played together at #3 doubles beating Donna and Pam who put up a great fight, losing 6-1, 6-3.

In the #2 slot was Wendy and Emily playing Sherry Dodson and Barb McClanahan in a long one. The first set was 7-6 and Wendy an Emily were ahead 4-1 in the second and then lost ground but in the end managed to close it in 2 sets with a 6-4 score in the second. They were the last ones off the court.

Karen and Joy took an easy 1st set at 6-2 but in the second there opponents, Sara Turk and Carolyn Norris gained momentum turning the tide by winning the second set 6-4. In the tie break the points went back and forth but we just couldn't pull it out.

And finally Gayle who I think we can just nickname Ms. Reliable, pulled out another win over Theresa Hodge 6-4, 7-5.

Always fun watching everyone play. Awesome job to all who played.

Saturday May 22, 2010 vs. Smith

3rd Time a Charm

We had our second match up against the Smith team which some of you may recall we fell hard to during last weeks Wednesday match. Again today they proved tough opponents but we made a huge improvement form last match and I am confident we can take them the 3rd time around.

Now for the important details...

In both singles matches we had a tough go Melissa playing at #1 against Peg Migini losing 6-1, 6-1. Donna played at #2 with Nancy Salabes and struggled due to a difference in their styles of play which made it difficult for Donna to keep the ball in play which is her edge, final score 6-0, 6-1.

At #1 doubles we had Jean and Katherine up against Sandy Demeski and Ivy Goodwin and they were the last ones off the courts taking a very tough lose after winning the first set 5-7, they lost the second 6-4 after being ahead. The tie breaker 3rd set was closer then the 10-2 score represents. Look out because Jean and Katherine are out for a "W" and I know it is coming their way!

Having been able to watch the #2 match up of Karen and Kelly playing Robin Bosley and Lisa Murphy I was sure we had the comeback . We lost the first set 7-5 and then came back in the second with a 4-4 tie but just couldn't pull it off losing it 6-4. I tell you though I personally saw a shot that was in the court, not even on the line called out by Robyn. So everyone who meets up with her in the future be aware if the bad line calls. I don't think she likes to lose.

And finally at #3 Jenn and myself were able to pull off a win with a 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 (10-7). We had a very good start but the moment switched on us a bit in the second set but we keep our heads in the game and pulled it out.

A thank you to Neena for coming out to cheer us on.

Saturday match May 15, 2010

Still ahead of Zylberberg despite losing, 2-3

First-- yes, we lost to Zylberberg yesterday in a heartbreaker, going 2-3 in a match we could have won. Second-- yes, we are still ahead of Zylberrberg in the standings, by a whopping 2-game margin. (Use the link to Tennislink on the left to see the standings, etc.) Here are the scores:

1s: Sue Lin had an easy first set vs. Kim Parker but had to regroup after losing the second. She did so in emphatic fashion, winning the 3rd set tiebreaker 10-1. 6-1 4-6 1-0 (1).

2s: We got a free pass on this one by default. We'll take it!

1d: This was a killer of a match. Alyson and Joy also cruised through the first set and were up 4-2 in the second before losing the second and getting eked out in the 3rd set tiebreak, losing to Lisa Vieira and Carol McCarra 6-3 4-6 0-1 (11).

2d: Second and thirds doubles had similar experiences and similar scores. Jean and Neena got off to a slow start and couldn't quite shift the momentum to take the second set, losing to Mary Ann Sattler and Lisa Martin 1-6 3-6.

3d: Katharine and Donna got even closer to making the comeback happen in their match vs. Lisa O'Boyle and Cam Deline, losing 0-6 4-6.

After the match, we talked about these near-comebacks and close wins/losses and came up with two lessons to be learned: in the case of #1 singles and doubles, it was to keep your focus in the second set if you have an easy first-set win. Even the 6-0 sets at this level don't always indicate that one team is measurably better than another, so if you're on the winning side, don't let yourself let up, and if on the losing side, don't give up. On the 2 & 3 doubles courts, the lesson was that we needed to really come out of the gate full on. Taking a set to "ease into" the match or just trying to keep the ball in play is not going to win you matches against these opponents.

One strength of Zylberberg's team is that they are used to winning (they are a consistent attendee at Districts) and so they started with that advantage. But it seemed to me that we actually fielded the stronger players. So next time we play them, let's get 'em!

Our first loss!

We had our chances (and will have them again, as we are playing each team three times over the course of the season) but suffered our first loss to a very strong Smith team, 1-4, last night in the cozy (and dry) confines of the NERC.

1s: Gayle notched the lone win over Virginia Navid, 7-6 (5), 1-6, 1-0 (5). Great win over a very tough opponent.

2s: Melissa lost to Lisa Murphy, 3-6 3-6.

1d: After being up 5-3 in the first set, Jean & Joy lost to the resurgent Robin Bosley and Sandy Demski, 6-7 (4), 2-6.

2d: Neena and Wendy were unable to crack Denise Marshall and Patti Leland, losing 2 & 2.

3d: Emily and Jenn were on the verge of a great comeback, being up 5-3 in the second set before losing to Justine Clark and Donna Bertling, 3-6 5-7.

Good playing everyone-- let's get 'em next time-- which comes up soon, in fact-- next Saturday!

As for this Saturday: we are finishing up our first round of play, facing Zylberberg, who is currently 1-2. They have very strong doubles players but are rebuilding after losing many of their players to 4.0 last year. So they are a bit of an unknown quantity. Match is at Roland Park, 9 am ... Don't forget to take into account the time it takes to get to the courts from the parking lot, & see you all there! Sara will be captaining this match so contact her with any problems.

Wednesday Match - May 12, 2010

Saturday match May 8, 2010

A come-from-behind victory vs. Schlerf, 3-2

Well, it was quite a thrilling match today. We quickly got down 0-2 with our #1 and #2 doubles teams being dispatched quite quickly--though the level of play was high, we just couldn't win the games. But then we won all 3 of the remaining matches-- in fairly emphatic fashion-- coming out with the team W! It was especially great that most of the team, including some people who weren't scheduled to play, stayed to cheer everyone on. A fun day, and pats on the back all around. Here are the scores:

#1d: Katharine & Jean lost to Theresa Hodge & Rebecca Hyman 0-6 0-6. Yes ... a blanker.
#2d: Wendy & Donna lost to Adrienne Birkenbach and Laura June 1-6 1-6.
#3d: Emily & Alyson defeated Sara Turk and Barb McClanahan 6-2 6-3.
#1s: Gayle was the last to come off the court to cheers, beating Elizabeth Lee in a marathon match not indicated by the score, 6-3 6-1.
#2s: Melissa won her first USTA match ever, beating Carolyn Norris 6-4 6-2.

A lot of the scores were pretty lopsided, but the play was not. This is a very good team and we'll have 2 more chances to play them before the season's out.

Next up is Smith, who is currently ahead of us in this very young season but looks to be the team to beat. We're off to a great start-- let's keep the momentum going! --Jean

We are off to a winning start

Good evening all. We have our first match and first win as Team Cole/Holley. Great job to all who played. The team we played, Dystar/Baker, moved up from the 3.0 league (went to nationals I believe). The matches for the most part were pretty easy wins but the play a little different for most of us with some moon balling and the like. The results were as follows...

#1 Singles Gayle beat Patsy Reese 6-4, 6-1

#2 Singles Sue Lin beat Donna Maskell 6-4, 6-2

#1 Doubles Katherine/Alyson beat Sue Basch and Marcia Dystar

#2 Doubles Kelly/Jenn lost to Janice Lemoine and Paulette Barnett

#3 Doubles Donna/Sara beat Carol Purcell and Bonnie Thomas

Thanks to all who subbed in tonight after some last minute happenings with those scheduled to play.

On to Saturday and a little tougher completion with Keay/Schlerf. Go Team!

Oh and a little housekeeping...please be sure to let us know if anyones schedule has cahnged for next week as jean and I are getting ready to put the line-ups together. Also when sending any emails please be sure to send them to both Jean and myself. Thanks!