The makeup matches are just about completed, and thus far little has changed. Unless something crazy happens, the playoff lineup will remain pretty much as expected.
There was a very dramatic match in the 4.0 division last night. Last year's Sectional semifinalist Rice Saints faced the HTC Heat needing anything but a complete meltdown to secure the second spot in the city's toughest division. The Heat have underperformed this year. With two former 5.0's and several players who've made it to 4.5 sectionals they figured to make some noise this year, but injuries, travel and apathy had left them in desperate straits.
The Heat went into the match without their only real doubles player, Lee Joiner, and desperately needed to sweep the singles. John Biers edged Quack Bui and the city's slowest server, David Romero, had little trouble with Wade Karel. Reed/Dwyer easily dealt Hao Nguyen/Tran their first loss and Martinez/Delatorre upset Lemus/Gardner. Peter Strasser and Ron Rexilius easily got Rice on the scoreboard at line 2 doubles. So, it was a 4-1 win for the underdog heat and the teams ended up tied in lines won. Rice lost two fewer sets on the season and thus will battle Lakeside in citywides for that second slot at sectionals.
Cheryl groups the teams geographically and in 4.0 the third place team in the Hurricane/Rice division is often one of the stronger teams in the city. Last year's Gladiator team was probably the third strongest team in Houston yet missed out on the playoffs. While that may sound unfair to some, I think it makes for a much more interesting regular season where every line or even set can potentially be meaningful.
In other news, I've not heard anything about the defaults causing a realignment of the standings in the Hangovers/Kingwood 4.5 division. It looks as though the Hangovers may have ended up in the pool with the two other first place teams. A heavyweight division for sure.
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wooohoooooo 4.0 makes front page!!!! "The Heat have underperformed this year. With two former 5.0's and several players who've made it to 4.5 sectionals " Then why are they playing in 4.0???? Thats a pretty big drop from 5.0 to 4.0 even with injuries.
ReplyDeletePeople gett better and worse. Henry Li, Augusto Rodriguez, and Tim Green all played 3.5 at one time.
ReplyDeleteIf they were too good they would have made the playoffs at least.
Henry and Tim were rated 3.5 before, but never played 3.5. Not sure about Augusto. Sure their games improved a lot over the years.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember them playing as 3.5s in combo and mixed.
ReplyDeleteKingwood finished in 1st place.
ReplyDeleteTim is a 5.0 player. The Dibuas are strong 5.0s. The reason why they all keep 4.5 ratings us because they play 4.5 and don't play full when playing against weaker players. Most of us don't play full when playing against weaker players.
ReplyDeleteObviously, the previous poster never seen a strong 5.0 before.
ReplyDeleteI think The "Dibuas" are very very OVERRATED. All they have are a big serve and ok volleys. Everyone is intimidated by their height and wingspan at net. Its very easy to hold your serve against them because they have a very weak return game. If you can get them one up and one back and just rally with them, they barely have 4.5 strokes. Just my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe Dibuas are 4.5. The problem is that there aren't many true 5.0's playing 5.0, so these 4.5 guys are winning in 5.0 tournaments because most of the people playing 5.0 are really 4.5.
ReplyDeleteI think the last few bloggers have hit on something - Who's the most overated player(s)?
ReplyDeleteFor my money it's Tim Hurlbert. Lots of talk about this guy being a "ringer" but really NOT that impressive. The Hangovers have a good shot at beating Kingwood. Hurlbert and the Dibuas more hype than anything.
All this talk about Kingwood and Hangovers. What about Shwinng? Do they not have a shot at beating the Hangovers? What about the Jedi knights? Can they not beat Kingwood? Obviously Kingwood and Hangovers have the household names but no one should count out the determination of another team. I think Shhwinng can definitely pull out an upset.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree the Dibuas are the most overrated doubles team out there. "The Dibuas are strong 5.0s." is a total joke. Its just not everyday you play against two 6'5'' African dudes who seem to be serving and hitting down on you because of their height. They are just intimidating because of their appearance. Bad sportsmanship too, I watched them lose to those two asian guys in a league match at Memorial Park a few months ago and one of them didn't even shake hands with one of the guys because 1) they weren't expecting to lose; 2) he accidently got pegged.
ReplyDeleteThe most overrated player, in his own mind? Jochen Moser. What a Joche!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jochenmoser.com/
ReplyDeletepretty hilarious actually
I take it as a compliment that several people have been accusing me of tanking. The fact is that I am just not that good right now. Does anyone know if Freeman will have room for me on his team next year. Just kidding. Good luck to all in the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteGood call on the Hurlbert/Dibuas hype - they're the big names and I'm not sure why. I really think some of the guys like Santiago and Paschall from Kingwood are quietly flying below the radar - My call for the "all underated" team. Also overated? Green and Bobo. They don't exactly make me shake at the chance in facing them.
ReplyDeleteUnderrated: Most of Jedi Knights doubles players.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, counting HTA and USTA matches this year, Dan Courson is 18-1. Mike Moss is 9-0.
Sebesta and Caine are no slouches either.
Michael Chec is another underrated player (10-1 this year)
Hey htown hacker...would it be bad sportsmanship if I put out a fake line-up in order to see the other teams line-up in playoffs...then have all 8 players get injured during the warm-up and have to be replaced by the real players at the exact spot in the line-up with the match-ups I want? Sounds like it is not against the rules so it must be ok to do, right?
ReplyDeleteDear HTown Hacker,
ReplyDeleteThe email from Cheryl says: Wildcard team will be the best percentage record of Individual matches won against number of total individual matches played as recorded in Tennis Link.
This could allow a team to not make the city finals and still be able to go to sectionals. Why doesn't the second place team in the city playoffs get the wildcard?
Don't cry Tim, its going to be alright. You have enough ringers to probably make it through.
ReplyDeleteWith all the people on this Blog talking about ringers I just hope that Houston is well represented at Sectionals in 4.0 and 4.5's.
ReplyDeleteWe all know that it's not always how good your team is but if you have the right lineups match to match. I'm sure that Captains will try and shift line-ups to counter the other team but no matter what it's match toughness that should prevail.
But I'm scared...I hope my team can carry me on to sectionals. Craig's hand is still hurt...is it to late to add just one more player? You guys are crazy. You don't know what a ringer is. I've lost more than just about anyone during the league season but I am not scared to play anyone individualy in the playoffs. well, maybe the Dibuas and Tim H since they have scoreboard.
ReplyDeleteThat anonymous got it right. Those who are match tough will win. Watch out for Hunckler and the Dibuas. They are playing a lot right now. They are also getting results from that play.
ReplyDeleteWell, Tim, that is certainly a loophole in the rules. As you know, I've been victimized by that rule myself in the past.
ReplyDeleteHunckler probably plays more than anyone in the city with the exception of Red. We'll see if that will help him. I'm pretty sure Tim handled him pretty easily when they've played in tournaments.
Just because someone is match tough doesn't mean they won't suffer from nerves at citywides or sectionals. I can't count on one hand the number of times players on my teams have lost their first match at sectionals and then refused to play any more due to a loss of confidence. Some of those players were as match tough as possible.
In response to the other comment, I don't think Houston has any real "ringers" in 4.0 or 4.5 (though I was quite impressed with Jason Kern in doubles in 4.0). I think the Houston 4.0 team will do extremely well up there and the 4.5 team will be competitive but could be 1-2 or 3-0 in their bracket depending on how things break.
Just to make an observation about the 4.0 division. I have seen Kern play and he is very solid at the net but you can't forget about his partner, veilleux. Kern is not winning those matches alone. I saw them play in the semis in houston and his partner was hitting big shot after big shot, setting him up with easy put aways. They haven't lost a match in hosuton league or three major zones this year. It may be 4.0 tennis butthey can both play.
ReplyDeleteVeilleux is quality player. I didn't mean to slight him. It's harder to have an "unbeatable" doubles team than singles, but those two will be pretty hard to take down.
ReplyDeleteTim, Cheryl has written me in response to your question about the wild card. The percentage of individual matches scenario was regarding wild cards for city playoffs. In some women's levels there are seven divisions and one wild card for city playoffs so percentage of lines won determines the eighth team.
ReplyDeleteI've not heard if Houston is getting a wild card to sectionals in men's 4.5. I will try to call Sue Johnson today to find out.
Thanks to the person posting the Jochen Moser link. I don't know him so I won't say much other than it gave me a great laugh this morning. If I did know him I'm sure I'd be giving him all kinds of crap over that one.
ReplyDeleteI saw Moser play with Kallus in Conroe last year. That guy is a big time "p" word. Talk about gamesmanship.
ReplyDeleteVieulleux and Kern will carry the team to nationals.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, it takes more than 2 players to do any damage. Minimum of 3 depending on who your studs are, but ideally 4. 2 singles and a doubles line.
ReplyDeleteHtown Hacker...I as well received the email from Cheryl and she has cleared up the issue on the wild card. Please post if you hear before me which cities will get the wildcards for sectionals.
ReplyDeleteregarding Moser and the "p" word...is that "_rick" or "_ussy"?
ReplyDeletejust wondering...
I heard San Antonio will not get a wild card this year because of some things that happened there.
ReplyDeleteJochen Moser is a nice guy. Surprised people are writing negative posts about him. I believe month to date in the 4.5 Division he is #1 in the State. He lost to Schmucker in the Finals of the Tyler Major Zone.
ReplyDeleteHow would Jochen Moser do in USTA 4.5 League against some of the Playoff singles teams? He is an okay guy with ALOT to learn about court etiquette.
ReplyDeleteI was just informed from Sue that Dallas and Houston have the wildcard for 4.5 men. This needs to be confirmed by Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteGood question.
ReplyDeleteLet's say, for the sake of argument, that these are the top two singles players from each team:
Hangovers: Rios, Murphy
Kingwood: Dibua, Dibua
Ssshhhwing: Hunckler, Vu
Jedi Knights: Dafel, Cooper
Black Sheep: Jendek, Alzate
Sugar Creek: Cooney, Day
This year, Moser has beaten Day and lost to Rios, Vu and David Guy (who could have been on this list)
He also lost to Schmucker and Kudva and beat Morton.
Good news on the wild card situation. I was unable to reach Sue as she's at the qualifying tournament this weekend. Looks like Kingwood and the Hangovers may both end up in Dallas. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteYup - When I got ahold of Sue, she had just arrived in Abilene. She said she was pretty sure it was Dallas and Houston but that Cheryl would know for sure.
ReplyDeletekern and vielluex are both solid and will be tough to beat. If you look at their record in Fort Worth and combine it with houston and the major zones...they are undefeated. That was a great pick up for freeman's 4.0 team, but freeman doesn't need to ride these guys to nationals. Both of the top singles players are among the best in the state, sarosh (sp?) and eddie janek. He also has patton and del los santos (santos is number one in 4.0 doubles and patton is close behind, and then he has knutson (sp?) and wood, who are very tough as well, not to mention having numerous other strong players to fill in. His team should do well.
ReplyDeleteI think Freeman should worry about what he is going to do in 4.0 next year. I can't help but think that most of his top singles players and at least his two top doubles teams will get bumped up for sure....and they still have to do something at playoffs and sectionals before even thinking about nationals. Weren't they supposed to go to nationals last year? They lost to Waco.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but who is leaving the team for NoHo? All you gotta do is shoot Cheryl an eMail and ask her which teams the players are going with for playoffs. Of course, those teams can rejoin Freeman's team if their NoHo team doesn't advance.
ReplyDeleteanyone know a web designer who can design a site about all of my nonprolific tennis accomplishments?
ReplyDeleteI don't have a lot of money to spend. Any help is appreciated.
I'm not worried that much about next year at this time. However, I'm sure I'll put together a competitive team if I have the energy and desire to. I keep playing with the idea of sticking my nose in the 4.5 summer league world next year because you guys get so worked up over it.....I think it would be fun. It would also be fun recruiting folks for a team at that level....
ReplyDeleteAlso, my 3.5 and 4.0 teams last year both lost in Sectional semi-finals 3-2. The Waco team that won the 4.0 National Championship beat Rice, not us, 3-2. We lost a close one to Corpus Christi 3-2 (losing 2 3rd set tie-breakers 10-8). I also had a damn good 4.0 in 2005 that lost to Lakeside 3-2 in the pool play of Citywide....Augusto Rodriguez, Toby Reeves, David Huang, Guus Stigter, Andy Diep, Quan Vu, Richard Patton, James Rice, the list goes on....were all on that team. I know what if feels like to have a good team and go nowhere. The San Antonio 4.0 team went to Nationals that year and I KNOW we were 3-2 better than they were.....same goes for Waco last year (we were at least 3-2 better); however, I'm not convinced we were 3-2 better than Rice. Anyway, chalk those us to captain error....that is why we have 2 captains this year (to keep me in check) :)
My immediate concern is Chancellors, Lost Forest and Seinna.....I'll worry about Sectionals once, if ever, it becomes real.
Augusto Rodriguez played 3.5 in 2004 for Qual Valley. They lost in the City finals to Daniel Goodwin's 3.5 team which included such players as Richard Patton and Guus Stigter.
ReplyDeleteI would rank those 4.5 singles players
ReplyDelete1. Murphy 2. Jendek 3. Rios 4. Dibua 5. Dibua 6. Hunckler 7. Cooney 8. Vu 9. Dafel 10. Cooper
11. Day 12. Alzate
Moser would be around 11th on that list.
Jochen would move up a few spots on the list if he didn't serve like a girl.
ReplyDeleteOh - and the hairband has GOT to go!
ReplyDeleteRichard and Cara Patton are now the proud parents of Mackenzie Nicole Patton. She was just born a couple of minutes ago at Methodist in Sugarland weighing in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces.
ReplyDeleteMom and baby are doing GREAT!!!!
Congrats Cara and Richard!!!!!
Freeman - Tell Richard congrats for me on his new baby girl. Craig
ReplyDeleteJochen is a nice guy. the negative comment is probably from players who lost to him. He does need to learn more about court etiquette. Who doesn't.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but he does serve like a girl. And that has nothing to do with court etiquette.
ReplyDeleteIf I was to line up Kingwood this is how I would do it: 1.Armstrong 2.Dibua 1.doubles/ Hurlbert/Pekhar 2.Dibua/Wright 3. Santiago/Paschal This makes them strong all the way in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIf I was to line up the Shhwwings this is how I would do it: 1.Hunckler 2.Danny Vu 1.Doubles/Rothe/Leija 2.Januzzi/Rodriguez 3.Patterson/Benoit
If I was to line up Sugarcreek this is how i would do it: 1.Cooney 2.Day 1.Doubles/Burmann/Marco 2.Ho/Douds 3.Epstein/Bedient
If I was to do the Hangovers line up this is how I would do it: 1.Rios 2.Murphy 1.Doubles/Green/Deluca 2.Huffman/Bvunzawabaya3.Regent/Li
If I was to do the Jedi Knights line up this is how I would do it: 1.Cooper 2.Dafel 1.Doubles/Moss/ Dan Courson 2.Sebesta/Tom Courson 3.Park/Caine
If I was to do the Black Sheep this is how I would do it: 1.Jendek 2.Alzate 1.Doubles/Ristau/Shaw 2.Hansen/Mochizuki 3.Roberts/Toung
This talk about line-ups and looking at Kern makes me wonder something. Is it better to play someone at singles or doubles if they win at both? Kern has won 2 major zones in singles as well as finishing 2nd to teammate Sarosh (who he took a set off of) at the Coke. He has beaten Janek and Patton and has a better record than Goldberg. Janek is ahead of him in the rankings because he's played more tournaments. Veilluex won with Trans-Park against Rice so it seems they would still be strong there as well. So in general is it better to play someone in singles or doubles all things being equal?
ReplyDeleteI think the answer to that question depends on the remainder of your roster. How much of a drop off do you have in either singles or doubles if a quality player like Kern plays one or the other, it all depends on who will be stepping into the empty shoes.
ReplyDeleteFor the Hurricanes, it will all depend on who is available to play. Who is going to be in town? They have a tough Thursday night match, will the out-of-towners even be here?
Either way, that is a problem most captains would love to have....where to play a player that is almost a guaranteed win?
BTW, who won the 5.0 division?
ReplyDeleteAlso depends on who you're playing. I always go for the singles first. You HAVE to at least split singles - doubs is too unpredictable. The chance of your superstar losing at doubles is much greater than at singles. If you think the other team is weak in singles then let your stud rest and put your 2nd and 3rd string players at singles assuming you think they have a decent chance of winning. This of course is taking into account that the other team could drop. In other words you need to be sure the best singles player you put in the lineup can beat the best on their team.
ReplyDeleteRice won
ReplyDeleteWell, there are no guarenteed wins, but looking at Kerns' singles record this year in league and major zones, he is 14-3.
ReplyDeleteIn league and major zones, Kern and Veilleux are 21-0, Kern also won a major zone with Del Los Santos, taking him to 25-0.
Janek hasn't lost a league singles match, he and plays too many singles events to count and Sarosh hasn't lost in singles in league and has won a major, but quite frankly doesn't seem to play outside of Houston. Sarosh would do well in 4.5 IMHO and probably should be playing there. Janek and Sarosh have a number of doubles losses.
So with that info, the guarenteed win seems to be in doubles, not singles. Play Kern with Del Los Santos or Veilleux. De Los Santos is ranked number one in 4.0 doubles, so he can surely play, and Kern obviously plays well with Veilleux. I lean toward Veilleux based on the record the two have together. Jeez, Rolling 4.0 doubles ranking show that Freeman's guys, Kern, Veilleux, De Los Santos and Patton are 1 thru four. How did Freeman swing that?
Here's the partial ine-up:
Sarosh, 1 singles, Janek, two singles, Kern/Veilleux, 1 doubles, De Los Santos/Patton, two doubles. That is a tough line up. Freeman would probably move that around I am sure so he isn't stacked against. But how do you stack against that line-up.
How would Freeman's Hurricanes do if they were in the 4.5 playoffs? Sounds like they have a very dominant 4 lines and possibly 5 lines. Although I give the 4.5 guys the edge in singles I'm not so sure that the 4.0 guys can't compete in the doubles.
ReplyDeleteThey'd get killed
ReplyDeleteI agree. Total of 1 sets (maybe 2) max. And that's only if they drop.
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know the pools for sectionals yet?
ReplyDeletethere are some serious 4.0 rated players out there, but they all go deep in 4.5 tournaments. the guys mentioned in previous comments only play 4.0 tournaments, because they know they don't have a chance a 4.5.
ReplyDeleteIn the 4.0's Winner of Houston will be in Flight 1 with Wild San Antonio,Setx,Corpus Christi and NOHO. The Wild Houston Team is in Flight 3 with Lubbock,Abilene,Dallas and Amarillo.
ReplyDeleteIn 4.5's Winner of Houston will be in Flight 2 with Valley,Wild Dallas and Qualifying Team(which is Abilene) The Wild Houston is in Flight 3 with Dallas,San Antonio and Corpus Christi.
I was sent the email by Sue Johnson on Friday morning.
Tournaments are not the tail that wags the competitive tennis dog. This blog proves that point. Had you combined the 4.0 and 4.5 draws at the coke this year, the same guys in the 4.0 final would have been in the combined final. However, that is meaningless when looking to see if the top 4.0 teams can compete in the 4.5 playoffs...you all already know that.
ReplyDeleteFreeman, if your boys pull it off why don't you see if you can't get in a practice match with one of 4.5 teams before sectionals? I bet your guys could hold their own.
Whoever posted that last comment is way off. With the exception of Sarosh, the Hurricanes would get slaughtered by the 4.5 teams.
ReplyDeleteI agree. There's no comparison between an elite 4.5 and an elite 4.0 player. This is not to say that the matches won't be competitive, but they won't win - not even Sarosh against the best 4.5 singles. I don't think they'd even take 1 set unless the 4.5 players totally choked - or took them too lightly.
ReplyDeleteAgreed - depending on who they played. Against Kingwood or Hangovers - it's a slaughter - but they could hang with one of the other 4.5 teams. probably won't win but if they lined up right might take a line or 2.
ReplyDeleteDo they have line judges at the playoffs? i'm sure we'll need it when it comes to playing Sarosh. Anything close to the line he'll hook you. so if your playing him, make sure you don't hit the line.
ReplyDeleteSo Rice 5.0 is going to sectionals even after Red's 2 failed attempts at protesting even though his team was well out of it?
Protests were filed by the Met Team and Lost Forest to try and get into Sectionals. Nothing has been finalized in the 5.0 Bracket from Houston Yet. Although it looks like Rice has the best shot of getting in they will be up against some really Good Competition.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a slaughter for the Rice 5.0 team in Dallas. They've only got 3 mid-level 5.0 players. They won't take a line in their pool.
ReplyDeleteIt was Red, not MET or Lost Forest that filed the protest...
ReplyDeleteThe Rice team was supposed to get slaughtered this year even in the 5.0 division anyway so maybe they'll hit a few net cords and get lucky a little as they have been the whole season.
While I think my 4.0 team is pretty good, they are just that...a 4.0 team (not a 4.5 team playing 4.0).
ReplyDeleteThe elite 4.5 teams have been carefully assembled in a methodical manner and its no accident they are as good as advertised...so good, that many people come on this blog just to bash them. My team does not consider itself a 4.5 team nor do we want to be considered a 4.5 team. While some of my guys could obviously compete at the 4.5 level in "tournaments," summer league is a different world altogether.
Hell, I'm still not convinced we are the best 4.0 team in Houston (we just get the most discussion time on this blog)...I guess we'll find out this weekend.
Actually David Toney Met 5.0 Captain and Hernan Guervara Lost Forest 5.0 Captain filed protests as well, not only Red. Anyways who cares either they are legal or their not.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't seem like the USTA is going by the Grid so if anything just don't worry about the Self Rating system anymore. Like the Blogger said he tried protesting and to no avail he was rejected or denied. A protest does not mean anything this year. Whether you play or played D1 D2 D3 or Junior College the USTA wants you to keep playing Leagues not worry about being Disqualified.
I saw that the Winner of the 4.0 division plays the Noho team early at Sectionals.Assuming Hurricanes play Noho,how do those 2 teams matchup? Knutson,Dwyer and Leiker possible singles players against Sarosh and Eddie would be an interesting match up at Sectionals. We all know Sarosh isn't the best in the Heat of the Day.
ReplyDeleteI heard Chris Knutson was playing with Hurricanes not Noho. If he was playing for Noho match might be interesting.
ReplyDeleteDwyer has been awful this year but he can beat any of those guys in the heat on a given day. Leiker has been good this year in tournaments. But that Noho team has no doubles.
A slaughter for the Rice team in Dallas? Ha ha...you don't have to be a psychiatrist to figure out that reaction is typical of a sore-loser. Lets root them on if they make it--they have terrific players on that team and we should wish them well as they represent our league. Grow up for yours and everyone's sake.
ReplyDeletenot sour grapes at all - just being realistic.
ReplyDelete"Rice was supposed to get killed this season"....hmmm....was that realistic too? Let me tell you and all you hackers out there that act like they know anything about tennis what is indeed realistic--WE ALL (meaning everyone from 3.5--6.0 regarless of self or computer rated) are not even close to professionals and should keep our day jobs. Therefore, it is not UNREALISTIC for anyone in any of these divisions on any given day to lose or win. Thats what makes league tennis interesting--unless you're dealing with self-proclaimed tennis fortune-tellers...in which case you SHOULD quit your day job and replace Bud Collins at NBC. Capisce?
ReplyDeleteThe 5.0 league is still up in the air with John Guerrero getting DQ'd today. This gives Lost Forest chance. Why does Guerrero get DQ'd while Jorge Cuesta does not. Tosha's answer is that one of them played D1 in 2004 and the other in 2003. Where does that work into the chart. The chart is not being allowed to work.
ReplyDeleteOn another note. Too many teams waited until the end of the season before protesting players. This was done on purpose to cause several matches to be defaulted instead of just one. The section should use the 48 hour rule on sending in protests. If the match stands after 48hrs, then why protest the player to get the match thrown out?
Maybe I can just protest Kingwood so that we are put into first. That would be the winning way.
Kingwood plays honest. Protesting does not work against us.
ReplyDeleteWhy is Kingwood anonymous, do you have something to hide?
ReplyDeleteRice has 3 mid-level 5.0s? I don't agree. How did they beat so many 5.0 players then? Arun can win his singles at sectional and nationals if they make it there. Then they just need one doubles line to win, and I don't see any reason why they shouldn't make it. 5.0 league is not as competitive as 4.5, fewer people play and are committed to travel. So they might not meet tougher competition at sectionals than they already did during the regular season. The advantage of the Rice team is that they are committed to travel. All the other teams don't have enough players to really care. That's why Team Teague didn't win, which clearly has the strongest players on the roster with Alim and so.
ReplyDeleteAt sectionals a few years ago me and Red played someone named James Baggett from the Tyler team. He was a current Div 1 player who self rated as a 4.5 player. He defeated us and I asked Tosha how he was able to be rated as a 4.5 player when is was clearly against the chart for self rating. She stated they use discretion in letting him play. She asked me if I wanted to protest but I did not. The problem should have already been corrected since she already knew he was currently playing Div 1 and chose to let him play. The section needs to please follow the chart.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why Jorge Cuesta is not being disqualified is because Tosha knows that David Yang is new to captaining and did not try to cheat the system. Also Jorge Cuesta's results proof that he is a true 5.0 while the same cannot be said about John Guerro.
ReplyDeleteWho is on the Kingwood team that is self-rated?
Mr. Freeman, u honestly believe that everyone on your team is a legit 4.0 player?
ReplyDeleteOkay guys, instead of all the bashing, let's give players some compliments.
ReplyDeleteWho has the best serve in 4.0, 4.5, 5.0?
Best volley?
Best one-handed backhand?
Best two-hander?
Best return?
Best forehand?
Fewest unforced error?
Best variety?
Fastest runner?
Fittest?
Best lob?
Best drop-shot?
New to captaining is NO EXCUSE to DQ or not DQ a player on a team. Use the rating chart ENOUGH SAID. If someone files a waiver, then those should be handled on an individual basis. Otherwise, everyone should be treated the same in respect to their level of play.
ReplyDeleteFor best variety in 5.0, thats Nanjappa hands down. In 4.5 for variety maybe Januzzi that guy hits a lot of weird shots.
ReplyDeleteTotally biased opinions on 4.5 players past and present just off the top of my head:
ReplyDeleteBest serve: Dibuas?
Best volley: Glenn Wright? Tim Green?
Best backhand: Phi Huynh
Best forehand: Thang Pham/Herb Morton
Fewest unforced: Ted Phoummarath
Best variety: Ward Jannuzzi
Fastest: Jody Deluca/Matt Westenberg
Best lob: Danny Vu
Where on the chart Tim Green does it allow for Davis Cup and Satelite pros? Oh wait Tim Green and Red Benzon don't follow the charts.
ReplyDeleteAgree, most of the above picks are st least near the top. Here some other ones in 4.5:
ReplyDeleteSecond serve: Cooper
Volley: Rothe
Drop shot: Pogue
Unforced errors: Magid
Best two-hander (forehand): Hal
In 5.0:
Serve: Brian Taylor
Fitness: Dustin Philips
Unforced errors: Nanjappa
What about best on court etiquette? Who could forget that category?
ReplyDelete5.0 Fitness and unforced errors I'd have to go with Nanjappa. I think that's essentially how he wins.
ReplyDelete4.0 serve perhaps Ron Rexilius? That's gotta be the hardest serve I've seen in 4.0. Maybe that Matt guy from Rice when it goes in.
What about most under-appreciated player in each of the rating categories? Those hard, dedicated workers that don't get any publicity.
best on court etiquette tim
ReplyDeleteBest serve: ME
ReplyDeleteBest volley: ME
Best backhand: ME
Best forehand: ME
Fewest unforced: ME
Best variety: ME
Fastest: ME
Best lob: ME
IF I LOOSE THAT MEANS YOU GUYS MUST BE PLAYING OUT OF YOUR LEVEL. ALL YOU GUYS SHOULD BE DQ'ED!!!!!!
How's this for wierd? What if it is the same person who is writing all these comments? That could mean that, for example, Tim Green, is having a conversation and debate with himself. Now that would be wierd. This could mean that I am Tim Green. Not!
ReplyDeleteTo the anonymous player that wanted to know about where the chart allows a player who is a satelite player to be 4.5 rated...the chart is for SELF RATINGS. Do you see anyone on my team who I self rated as a 4.5 that is a satelite player? David B is computer rated. Once again I follow the rules. By the way. I qualified for the main draw for a satelite in 2000. That does not prove a thing. I was 4.5 rated at the time.
ReplyDeleteCan we please just play tennis? All of this bad mouthing each other is ridiculous. Most of the individuals on the 4.5 teams this year are very good quality 4.5 players, with some bordering on 5.0 ratings. Compared to last year, there are not really any ringers on the Houston teams. Maybe some have had better league results, tournament results, some play better today than yesterday, maybe some do not last in the heat as well as others, and maybe some do not play well under pressure. Bottom line is we are all RATED 4.5 and on any given day most of us are going to be competitive against the others. If someone has good quality, and or high level college experience and somehow rated 4.5, then leave it to the USTA. Obviously in some cases, the USTA (Texas) opts to leave ratings alone because of the almighty dollar. Let it be and play tennis!!! If you do not like it, then quit playing league tennis.
ReplyDeleteWho in 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 has the worst court etiquette?
ReplyDeleteWorst etiquette in 4.5 goes to Augusto Rodriguez.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Brian Goldberg as one of the best court etiquettes.
ReplyDeleteFreeman...my team is having a practice Tuesday night at 7pm at Walden on Lake Houston. Your team is welcome to join. As always, the Kingwood team is invited. Hope to see you guys there. Call my cell if you can make it.
ReplyDeleteI concur with the above in regards to LETS JUST PLAY TENNIS. If you feel like there are too many 5.5s playing in 5.0 or 5.0s playing in 4.5 then bump down because obviously you can't hang with them. Therefore everyone that can't hang in the new and improved 4.5 market should go play 4.0. Like a free economy, the market will correct itself.
ReplyDeleteOk, here is a question. Who can last longest in the heat?
ReplyDeleteI would say it is either Jim Hamilton or Tom Courson or Gary Lemp.:)
Who has the worst temper on the court? You know, foul language and tossing and breaking racquets.
Why, of course, that would have to be Dan Daly.:-)
Who has the most eloquent language on the court?
Definitely Augusto Rodriquez.:)
Who is the uglyest?
Wow, so many choices here but I will go with Berkhardt.
Who has the longest racquet toss on the court in the last year?
That would have to be Jon Wagner.:)
Best Pilot?
Herb Morton.:)
THIS is what we need to be talking about! The rest of the tennis playing stuff will be proven on the courts this weekend. Until then, let's be gentlemen.
I would like to point out that many times the teams that get the most hype are not the ones that win in the end. Remember the Rose Bowl a couple years ago and the hype that USC got the week before getting beat by Texas. As Jimmy Johnson used to say, "you better be able to walk the walk if you are going to talk the talk". The people doing all the talking here are going to look foolish if they lose this week. They now have everything to lose. Those of us that have been around know that on any given day almost any 4.5 can compete and beat any other 4.5. The best players can have off days, be affected more by the heat or not be a good match up with their opponent. It's the match- ups that count in the end. That is why a player like Mike Solinas is so dangerous. He is a bad match up for a hard hitting pounder. Too bad Mike's Copperfield team didn't qualify for the playoffs, because no one would want to play him in the heat.
Hey Tim aren't you mad that your boys Red and Schmucker are playing San Antonio instead of staying in Houston for the playoffs? Especially since Schmucker has beaten Hunckler pretty bad in a 5.0 tournament.
ReplyDeleteIts funny that all the guys who talk shit on here, always post anonymous. Give some of these guys some credit out here. Schmucker (who was a topic several entries ago) is a good quality tennis player, by no means a ringer in 4.5, but he is a competitor. And Hunckler (by no means a 4.5 ringer) has improved his results over the past couple of years.
ReplyDeleteRed and Greg wouldn't have seen much action in the playoffs anyway. Red is a weak 4.5. Schmucker is good but not a ringer, and as aeveryone knows will be using only ringers.
ReplyDeleteGreen will only be using ringers rather. These guys not playing has no effect.
ReplyDeleteRed is playing city playoffs and San Antonio.
ReplyDeleteSince everyone is into calling out the ringers, why doesn't someone tell me what the Ringer match up between Kingwood and Hangovers would look like. Singles and Doubles
ReplyDeleteBest 5.0 Player: Arun Nanjappa Best 4.5 Player: Dibua
ReplyDeleteBest 4.0 Player: Sarosh Almed
Best 3.5 Player: Jason Freeman
Best 5.0 Doubles Team: Montez and Taylor
Best 4.5 Doubles Team: Hurlbert and Wright
Best 4.0 doubles Team: Kern and Veileuix
Best 3.5 doubles team: Freeman and anybody on his Team
There is a difference at every Level
There is a difference at every Level.
Who has the best serve? Dibua
ReplyDeleteBest volley? Green
Best one-handed backhand? Green
Best two-hander? Schmucker
Best return? Morton
Best forehand? Goldberg and Morton
Fewest unforced error? Majid
Best variety?
Fastest runner? Deluca and Goldberg
Fittest? Vu
Best lob? Vu
Best drop-shot? Pogue
Kingwood beat the Handover by 2 lines, even after that horrible first match with Copperfied losing 3-2 because of players not signed up with the HTA. Kingwood beat the Hangovers 3-2 & 4-1 while losing only once 3-2 in there 3 meetings.
ReplyDelete