Quick note.

I think there is the perception in the higher divisions that the "lower" divisions (4.0, 3.5 etc.) are not "competitive". There probably ARE a lot more people in those divisions playing "for fun" or just to get together with their tennis buddies every week, etc. The higher rated players are, in general, probably more competitive by nature...that competitive drive is one reason they became such proficient players. However, the top teams in 4.0 and 3.5 take things just as seriously (or even more so) as they do in 4.5 and 5.0

Two of the top 4.0 teams got together last night as the Hurricanes again took on Rice. In truth, there's little at stake with two teams from each division making the playoffs, but it's always enjoyable to have a "playoff atmosphere" in the middle of the regular season. I think it's pretty clear that the Hurricanes wanted to make a statement. Freeman's team does things by the book...there are no midseason self-rated additions. In fact, I believe every player on the team is computer rated. However, they DO search far and wide for talent for their team. And last night they traveled from practically all over the state for the big match. Two players came from Fort Worth, one from San Antonio and one from Port Arthur. All that talent was too much for Rice, as the Hurricanes won 4-1, dropping just one line of doubles.

It's always tough to balance things...adding "ringers" or "out of towners" often means that long term players can be left sitting come playoff and sectional time. But that's part of the price you have to pay to win. In the Hurricanes' case, their "B" team could compete with any other team in the city, bar none. A few of the players NOT in their lineup last night: Goldberg, Knutson, Wood, Reese, Morris, Hau, etc. In the famous words of Yogi Berra, the Hurricanes have "deep depth".