This weekend the local Tri-Level competition will take place at Lost Forest. Tri-Level teams field three doubles lines, all from different levels. The 3.5/4.0/4.5 tri-level league offers players a chance to qualify for sectional and national championships (nationals are played at Indian Wells during the Pacific Life Open, I believe).
An early look at the rosters would seem to indicate that the local favorites are the "evil Empire" team featuring Red Benzon, Tim Green, Greg Dwyer and Jason Freeman among others.
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Why bother playing for $26 when these guys are going to win?
ReplyDeleteJust give it to them and let them go to the sectional event.
Green and Benson are the most over rated players in the city. VERY BEATABLE!!!!
ReplyDeleteBenson/Green are over rated agreed. The funny thing is that the Best player on the Tri-Level team is Jason Kern by far. He is the most under rated player and will not lose because he just so solid. Kern can carry Benson or Green to Victory so the Tri Level Team of Freemans should be fine.
ReplyDeleteCan Kern play the 3.5 line-up by himself when he's not playing in the 4.5 line-up :). That would help us immensely.
ReplyDeletekern's a great player, but i'm not positive he's the best player on the team for his level. it could be foster...i haven't seen him play enough to be certain of that, but he sure can serve.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are hilarious! I'll be sitting eating bon bons while the real players play and enjoying every minute of it. If I even thought I was close to the best player on the team I wouldn't be driving to Houston to play on it. I know I could take Tran but that's about it.
ReplyDeleteKern you can't take Freeman? Come on your cutting yourself short. You are a GREAT player. I know that come summer time I'd be scared to see you facing our Houston Guys at Sectionals.Someone from Houston Please recruit him early for the Summer.
ReplyDeleteKern and I have played a total of 10 times and each time it's been a grind. The scores don't reflect how close every match has been.
ReplyDelete6-0, 6-0 in all 10 matches BUT every game has gone to 15-15 AT LEAST!!.
With Freeman I can't even get a point, so with that logic Kern CANNOT take Freeman.
I thought Kern was just a myth. He must be awsome. I guess they just fly him in for the big matches.
ReplyDeleteI did pass Kern in the 12-month rolling rankings for 4.0 doubles in mid-October of 2008 (11 months after his last 4.0 tournament)...Tran is obviously right.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how Kern keeps getting our team numbers.
Which rating is used for the Tri-Level in Houston, mid-year or year-end?
ReplyDeleteIf you signed up before end of year ratings came out you used mid-year, otherwise end of year. At least that is the way I understand the rules.
ReplyDeleteKern, I will bring my saddle. I have no problem being carried to victory.
ReplyDeleteI agree...Red is over rated. Lets get him back to 4.5.
Come on guys where's all the trash talk. Even if Benson and Green take the whole thing someone needs to give them some shit. Greg and I are going to take it to them and if we start losing we'll call anything within 6 inches of the lines out.
ReplyDeleteGame on!
On the women's side there doesn't look to be a clear cut favorite. It should be pretty competitive.
ReplyDeleteI think i'll have to give the slight edge to the Cyclones based on the female players I do know.
Natural Guts and The Heat should contend as well.
Radical chics are my sleeper pick.
What? gotta show the women some love to. :)
Michael your Crazy. Any Team with Betsie Hollis Captaining is the Favorite. She has the Top 2 player in 4.5 1 of them was just at Nationals in 4.5 womens representing Texas and another playing D 1 Tennis only 2 years ago and rated 5.5 less than a year ago. Cyclones will come in 3rd guaranteed. They lack the experience and firepower to contend and the Radical Chics are just a Fun Group of Gals Looking to Compete.If you want to see some High Level Tennis be at Lost Forest Sunday at 130 when the deciding match to see who advances to Sectionals in thw womens bracket will be determined.
ReplyDeleteAS far as Robins is concerned He/Bowen will dominate Benson/Green. It won't even be competitive.
Agreed Hollis has the best 4.5 lines and I suspect her team will not drop a line at 4.5. It will come down to the 4.0's and 3.5's. Basically if they can at least split those lines they're in. She has drops and bumps (bubble players) at both lines so it will be close. In other words she has players who were previously at the higher level and dropped and several who were year-end rated higher than they started the year. She's definitely one of the best at finding the talent.
ReplyDeleteSunday at 1:30 will be some fun tennis to watch for sure.
I think it's between Hollis and Cyclones. Heat may take the 4.5 line but Cyclones have more Heat on the 4.0 and 3.5 lines.
Radical Chics? What are you nuts. They will be lucky to win one or two matches.
haha - we all know Hollis will take it. Just wanted to get things fired up.
ReplyDeleteI think the cyclones may have the slight edge in the 3.5 and 4.0 lines.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be competitive but I feel the cyclones can edge out Natural Guts. Guts may take the 4.5 line but 3.5 and 4.0 lines have solid players from the Cyclones side.
The heat have a very good player at the 3.5 line in Lorinda Tai. Depending on her partner she can anchor that 3.5 line easily. She is a self rated player that got a tournament rating for the end of the year. I had the luxury of playing with Lorinda in some world team tennis. She could easily play the 4.0 line if needed. Their 4.5 players are right up there.
As for the radical chics, they should be ahead of 10s cowgirls and the lost forest ladies at least.
I've played against Lorinda. She's a good 3.5 but nothing special - or at least no better than any of the other higher 3.5 players already registered - Courtney Blue, Nikki Craft, Sue Davidson, Luanne McGovern, etc. Any player at the high end of the level can compete at the next level. That's a given. That's why we call them bubble players. Just about every 3.5 and 4.0 player on Hollis' team is as bubble player
ReplyDeleteSo people do lurk around the blog. Everyone just waits for a little bait in order to attack. Buncha sharks waiting for the chum slick.
ReplyDeleteOn the women's side it's Guts, Heat, and Cyclones. Anyone's to win. Really is. All 3 have really strong lines at every level.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. The Heat's Lorinda Tai is good for a 3.5 but not good enough to carry either Tabitha Smith or Debbie Bartholomew against either Cyclone or Guts 3.5 team.
ReplyDeleteCyclones best 3.5s are probably Craft and Jaffee. Craft was a 4.0 that got bumped back to 3.5 and Jaffee while good hasn't been playing so I think that's an x-factor to. Courtney blue is a 3.0 that just got the bump to 3.5 but is probably their weakest link. Cao is unorthodox but is consistent which is good enough at 3.5.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how the other 3.5s are that Lorinda will be playing with but I think she just might be good enough if the cyclones use a line-up of anything other than jaffee/craft.
Heat vs cyclones at 8:30 should be good.
Tran shouldn't you be more worried about your playing than what the girls are doing? I'm really worried about your performance. Those 3.5s won't be as easy to take down as I am.
ReplyDeleteThis year I figured I'd let the 4.5s and 4.0s carry the team since the 3.5s did most of the legwork at least year's tri-level :). Get your backpack straps ready kern. I'm up to 210 so I hope you're up for the heavy lifting.
ReplyDeleteI have a theory. Opinions...
ReplyDeleteMy theory is that a bubble player playing up will usually beat a bubble player playing down. In other words, an edge 3.5 player (who might get bumpted to 4.0) would beat an edge 4.0 player who gets dropped to 3.5. Any takers?
The intangible of all of Hollis' team is Hollis. She knows how to put out winning lineups. Her team has made it to the finals of Sectionals when they never should have even made it out of their flight.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Hollis knows her Texas Tennis but she drops the ball when she gets to Nationals with her teams. Its too bad that she may drop the ball again at this weekends Tri Level. Experience over youth could prevail.
ReplyDeleteHmmm doesn't make sense! Who has the experience and who has the youth. Except for a few players her team looks to have a lot of league experience. Her 2 top 3.5s have been to Sectionals multiple times and were both year-end rated 4.0. Ali DeLuca just dropped from 4.5 and Angie Lindloff - both have been playing league for years. LOL her least league experienced players are probably McDougal and Lindloff. They're untouchable.
ReplyDeleteIt's better to have dropped the ball at Nationals then to never have had the opportunity to drop the ball at all!!! Her Championship record doesn't get much better.
Hollis National Record will never get better for sure!! If she can't win with her Sandbaggers than she should retire..
ReplyDeleteI hardly call a record of 2-1 at the 2007 Nationals dropping the ball. Expecially when you consider she was without one of her singles starters. Anyone who is of that opinion has obviously never been.
ReplyDeleteHer 2005 team definitely underperformed. Several of her key players didn't come through and she was also without Holly Lindloff and Tara Shelander that year.
Her 2001 4.0 team was definitely a team that won by shear virtue of her lineups. She freely admits she did not have the best team that year on paper.
You want to see dropping the ball - check out last year's 4.5 team. They didn't even make it out of their flight which is a real disgrace given the fire power they had. Hollis definitely could have taken that team to Tucson.
ReplyDeleteLook at Freeman's 2007 All Star 3.5 (2-1) and 4.0 (1-2) teams. He didn't make it out of his flight. It's much more difficult than you can imagine and unless you've captained a Nationals team you have no right to say anything.
As expected the Tri Level Team Freeman has dominated the Tri Level event. Although watching Green/Benson play today I would have to say they are OVER RATED.. Kern/Foster should be the Line # 1 of that Team.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore the Showdown between Heat and Natural Guts will determine who represent us at Sectionals. What Happen to Michael's prediction?????? Although Cyclone is a close 3rd.
Heat vs Guts. It will be close. Both teams are worthy of representing Houston at Sectionals. I give the slight edge to Heat. Guts should easily dominate the Heat 4.5 line but I give the 4.0 and 3.5 line to the Heat.
ReplyDeleteActually, Cyclone is a distant 4th behind Rice Chicks
ReplyDeleteThat Line #1 4.5 Team of Hollis's could probaly beat All of Freeman's 4.5/4.0/3.5 Mens Team if they wanted to. They Looked SOLID. MCcdougall has shown her true 5.5 Colors OOps I mean 4.5 Now. Sorry. Also Lindloff Brought her newly acquired 5.0 Rating. I say it will come down to the 3.5's Tomorrow in the Match Up. Interestingly Enough Lets see how Hollis manages the Finale Line-up.
ReplyDeleteEven though Hollis's Natural Guts beat the Heat 2-1 the Heat had the Tiebreaker which game down to a mere 2 games separating the Teams. Congrats to the Heat.
ReplyDeleteAs expected the Evil Empire led by Freeman Dominated the Tri Level Event. They should Fair well at Sectionals.
Good Luck to Both Houston Tri Level Tesms in Sectional.
Well I guess the cyclones didn't fair too well as I thought. it left me befuddled seeing them play a 4.0 at the 4.5 line twice on the 1st day.
ReplyDeleteThat right off the bat is already poor team management.
Radical Chics tied for first but unfortunately came up short in the tiebreaker stats.
They spoiled it for Betsie's team though but Alison Lui reminded me that last year they took two teams into sectionals for the women so if that's the case this year, Betsie's team will get a 2nd chance.
Lorinda tai anyone? Can't carry the Heat's 3.5 line? I called that one as well as the Radical chics doing better than what others expected. My sleeper almost pulled it off but getting the big upset win over Hollis team was pretty satisfying.
I guess 2 out of 3 isn't bad :). Unfortunately that's exactly how many losses I had this weekend at the 3.5 line :(. Maybe I need to stop watching so much women's tennis.
I got my ear full about the blog this weekend so I thought I'd check it out. Kudos to the Radical Chics. Who's that 4.0 stud you have? Totally underestimated your 4.0 line. Was the difference between winning and losing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Lisa and the Heat. You deserve to go on. You played your lineups flawlessly.
Guess I dropped the ball. Oh well, maybe we'll get a WC. Now onto Summer League.
I was out at tri-level all weekend and I can honestly say I understand now why Betsie is able to keep her teams together year after year. They sit out every other year but always come back to play on her team. It's a well run team and she is very respectful of both her players and opponents. They may have lost the tournament but her team won the award for grace and dignity.
ReplyDeleteBHollis is a snake and a tool just like Red Benzon and Tim green. People who corrupt the league should not be given accolades. They should be banned permanently. 4.5 league has turned into a division one college dual match because of these clowns.
ReplyDeleteNice to see that the negative comments haven't changed from the anonymous posters. Facts are that Hollis does find a way to put Good Teams together. If she wasn't a Good Captain she wouldn't have all the High Level players plsying for her.
ReplyDeleteYeah, give it a rest dude. Your jeolousy and insecurity is very unbecoming.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry if you were always the last one picked on the playground.
OK - I'll get the ball rolling for all you Anon cry babies to give you something to gripe about. I overheard someone that Hollis just picked up Kaye Williams, Kristen Samuelson, and Jo Keene for next summer. All former 5.0 players who just got bumped to 4.5. Jo is probably a high 5.0 at worse. The rest of the cities should save their money on going to Dallas. Hollis' team will for sure make the trip to Tucson this year.
ReplyDeleteYou never know what will happen...that's why we actually play these things out and don't award trophies based on predictions. Sometimes heart beats skill...that's why I love this game.
ReplyDeleteHeart doesn't matter when you are playing league cheaters with several out of level players. It's time to clean up the league. Benzon, dwyer, Green and Hollis need to go. Let's get a petition started.
ReplyDeleteI think that the poster above is just mad because he's not able to compete at whatever level he/she is playing. This person should appeal there rating down snd stop whining and crying and just flat out compete!
ReplyDeleteI wonder why anonymous is b1tching about players playing their COMPUTER rating? If a player is legitimately bumped down by the USTA formula and computer, then why are they not able to play their rating?
ReplyDeleteStop being a little b1tch and go out and work on your game to improve. Don't expect the level of competition to come down to you. From history and experience, league tennis is only becoming more competitive and the level of skill is increasing.
BHollis is a snake and a tool just like Red Benzon and Tim green.
ReplyDeleteMust be that fat guy talking again. He is the biggest tool of them all.
I think Sienna will win all the Division 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 b/c they got the best courts and players and also captains.
ReplyDeleteOkay that post was out of no where.
ReplyDeleteIf you have one opportunity to seize everything you've ever wanted - something like TENNIS - would you go for it? Guess what? You better try because one shot may be all you get! The Spring 2009 season is now underway! Players are now competing for citywide championship at their level!
ReplyDeleteFlex-E Sports / Flextennis is now open for registration for the Summer 2009 League. I am sure you don't want to miss the fun and excitement. This is the kind of league that works for someone as busy like you! You get to play on your neighborhood, you don't have to go too far. It's so easy to join. Just visit the website www.flextennis.com and see what's waiting for you.