Lots of action this weekend around the city, state and country...
Top Items are:
Updates from 5.0 and 4.0 Nationals
Updates from Mixed Sectionals in Corpus
Houston Fall Festival
Edits in red to be factually correct.
Men's 5.0 Nationals
The Houston team that is based out of Copperfield made the journey to Indian Wells this weekend to represent Texas and did AWESOME. They were undefeated in pool play, going up against a tough team from AZ that was also 3-0 on Sat afternoon. Today they played the semi-final and won against Florida 2-1, but came up just short in the final against the team from NC. Every one of these matches was 2-1 this weekend. I can only imagine the nail biting involved in watching that last line finish!
Men's 4.0 Nationals
The team from Dallas (Wild Dallas) went 3-1 in pool play. They lost one of their matches to New England and thought they were done, only to have the team from Puerto Rico knock of New England to propel Texas into play on Sunday based on set differential. They came up against the eventual champ Eastern in the semis and lost 4-1. Three of the lines went to breakers. They won the "feel-good" 3rd place match against Florida. Props to this team. This was the team that edged out Freeman's 4.0 team in the final back in August. Word has it they were w/o one of their top guys who was at his sister's wedding. Props to that guy for making the right long term decision.
I don't have much a ladies' update from the Texas team as they are not from Htown and were eliminated in pool play. The full update can be found on the USTA site here.
Mixed Sectionals 2009 - Corpus
Mixed sectionals were held this weekend in Corpus. For those who have not played in Corpus before they have several nice facilities around town (THANKS HEB!) and it is ALWAYS windy.
7.0 Mixed - Tran gets the trip to Nationals
Our own Houston team that is built from some of SAP and Freeman's Hurricane won the 7.0 flight this weekend and will represent Texas at Nationals. They went 3-0 in pool play and then squeaked by in the semis and finals to win. Way to go Mike and team!
8.0 Mixed
Larry's Copperfield team is making a return trip to Corpus. This guy has a warehouse full of talent out there from Copperfield. They went 2-1 in pool play losing their first one to to Austin. In the end the just came up short. The Kingwood team representing NoHo was also in this flight. They were the whipping boy (and girl) of this flight as they only went with 3 of their women. Too bad as they had a good team this summer. Who makes the schedule and puts Houston and NoHo in the same flight. What a bonehead move by USTA-Texas.
9.0 Mixed
The Mason Creek must make their reservations for Corpus when the register for the team at the beginning of the summer. I think this team goes every year. In talking with Monty they were going with 6 people, so playing time would be a non-issue! They took their limited roster and made it all the way into Sunday. The team from Ft Worth that beat them leverages the high/low strategy in mixed - 5.0 men and 4.0 women. The guys from the Ft. Worth team were on the 5.5 team that went to Nationals a while back. Talk about stacked.
Houston Fall Festival
I think this event is cursed with bad weather. I don't have any stats (sure I could correlate past weather with this event) but it seems that every time I sign up for this event my entry fee turns up being a non-tax deductible donation to HTA/USTA. The draws this year seem to be deflated from past. Here are the stats:
2003 - 922 entrants
2004 - 792 entrants
2005 - 1106 entrants
2006 - 622 entrants
2007 - 628 entrants
2008 - 240 entrants (3 weeks post Hurricane Ike)
2009 - 281 entrants
I can discount the 2008 showing b/c of the Hurricane and everyone was in recovery mode, but what explains the 2009 poor showing? There were several conflicts (sectionals, nationals) as outlined above, but this might account for maybe 30 total entrants.
Maybe it has to do with the pricing of events in general. Here are the entry fees for the corresponding years in singles/doubles format:
2003 - $20/$15
2004 - $20/$15
2005 - $22/$15
2006 - $25/$18
2007 - $27/$19
2008 - $27/$16
2009 - $27/$19
Maybe USTA is deriving more revenue per entrant, but decreasing overall tournament revenue. I don't know for sure, but someone has to do something, but it becomes a confidence issue as the people who play regularly will not continue to pay MORE for LESS competition for very long. USTA need to hire a consultant to work out an optimal pricing strategy. I can be contacted at this site and my fees are very nominal ;)
I hope those who toughed it out today get good value for their dollar and don't have to take a day off of work to finish an event.
What's Next.....
The next nationals update will be later this month as the 3.5 nationals are the weekend of the 16th. The next interesting update will be at the end of the month when 4.5 team that Betsy captains and the 4.5 team that is Red and Freeman's birth child will be headed to Tucson (EDIT: Vegas) to represent Houston and Texas. Let's hope they continue the good showing that was started this weekend!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4.5 men and women are in Vegas this year.
ReplyDeleteGreg, you've got to remember that Fall Fest used to include Juniors. There is no Junior event at all anymore, and the Super Seniors play on a different weekend.
ReplyDeleteComment on Mixed. What is it? The true 8.0 team from Copperfield stacked with the Basset's, Hung and Linh Ly defers. Also, Houston had a 9.0 Wild Card and the team from the Met with the O-Bros doesn't go.
ReplyDeleteFinally, hypothetical question: Do you think it's harder or easier to win at Nationals with 3 lines or 5 lines?
ReplyDeleteAdded edits to be factually correct.
ReplyDelete@10:52p - yes, it used to include Jrs, but now is a MZ for Seniors. Still a significant drop in entries.
@10:54p - Yes, they had a stacked team that barely dropped a line through the season, but did not take care of business during playoffs.
@10:55p - I would say 5 lines. Harder to get 5 lines, but gives more margin for error. Having 3 lines at the lower levels would be interesting b/c you would have a ton more competitive teams and not these rosters like Sienna had this year.
Greg didn't write this. Chris did. Good job Chris.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what the overall numbers are, it's clear that the draw sizes in 5.0, 4.5 and 4.0 are much smaller than they used to be. HTA marketing needs a shot in the arm.
Assuming you have 1 solid line (re Jason Petiers), I think it's easier to take 2 out of 3 lines then 3 out of 5. There are a lot less variables to worry about. You lock in 1 line and just need 2 more. How hard (we're talking at the Nationals level) is it to have 2 guarantee lock lines. Even then, there are a lot of variables 10-12 people involved in trying to take 1 more line.
ReplyDeleteWithout knowing the brackets - Both Houston 4.5 teams could make it out of their flights. Previously, the women's team seemed more possible, however, without Emma and Cori, that's less likely now. I would flip that and say the Men have a better chance.
ReplyDeleteThe men's team doesn't have a go to singles player, which means that they have to win ALL 3 doubles lines in every match. They were are able to do it at Sectionals semis and final, but very hard to do at Nationals.
ReplyDeleteagreed. very good point. They would have to take from doubs if they want one of the Dibua's to play singles.
ReplyDeleteBetsie still have Jo and Connie for singles. They both dominated at Sectionals only losing 2 games (TOTAL between them) in 8 sets.
ReplyDeletewhich schools do cori and emma coach for?
ReplyDeleteEmma is asst coach for Katy Taylor. And Cori is asst coach for Clear Lake. Both perenial powerhouses in the region.
ReplyDeleteBetsie, what's going on with your protest? I heard you were protesting a player from Nevada.
ReplyDeleteI thought there were no DQs after Sectionals
ReplyDeleteThere are no DQ's at Nationals for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe DQ is against the Intermountain/Las Vegas team and is based on a player, Mariana Morena, possibly lying on her self-rate profile. A new player to the league who is 32 years old and played on the WTA Sony Ericsson tour for 4 years. She was competitive on the tour having split sets against players in the top 600-900. She originally tried to self-rate at 4.0 but was DQd and for some reason was allowed to then play as a 4.5 player. I'm not sure how she made it all the way through Sectionals without anyone noticing.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I'm still waiting to hear the final decision. Last I heard they are claiming mistaken identity. He knows the birthdate of the pro player and he is asking for records. He just emailed me yesterday that it is strangely quiet and he is going to give them a dropdead date for them to get back to him. Ironic the team is from Las Vegas and that's where Nationals is this year. At least they don't have the argument that the player has already bought a plane ticket.
The protest is also from other Section Captains in our flight besides myself. As one of the Section Coordinators said, unless she's an amputee there's no way she should be playing 4.5.
Way to go Betsie. Good work. Seems like if you were that capable you would have more pride and play up where someone of that caliber would belong. It is kind of like the teaching pros that play 4.0. Come on man!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately Chris, I've seen a couple of teaching pros around here that are low level 4.0s
ReplyDeleteI have less concern over USPTA Pros playing 4.0 than touring Pros playing 4.5. It just takes passing a test to be a teaching pro.
ReplyDeletei saw the 7.0 mixed final. Great match between Dallas and Houston. It sure did not look like 7.0 tennis. I would like to see those teams play 8.0 teams. Nice win Houston.
ReplyDeleteCome on Chris you know you should be playing in the 4.5 division. Step up!!
ReplyDeleteB Hollis complaining about ringers, now that's rich!
ReplyDeleteThis will be Betsie's last year to dominate 4.5. It also will be Towle's last year as a 4.0.
ReplyDeleteYou're kidding, right? I can easily see Betsie going to Nationals again in 2011.
ReplyDeleteBetsie will be back in 2011. She'll lose a few players off of this team but she does every year and manages to pull in a few ringers every year. You've got to remember, the "ringers" want to play on Betsie's team.
ReplyDeleteWhich brings up another point. Ringers are different than cheaters in my mind. What Betsie described above is cheating. It's lying on your profile. Ringers or Sandbaggers are players who "the computer" has underrated or LEGITIMATELY under-self rates and are 99%+ lock to win.
Case in point - Jason Petiers. Jason was computer rated in 2009 for 5.0 and would be considered a ringer since he went undefeated for the season all the way through Nationals.
A former tourning pro trying to play 4.0 is not a ringer/sandbagger but a cheater and a liar, and should be banned from playing USTA events for at least 3 years. In fact, I think the captain should be banned from captaining as well.
ReplyDeleteBetsie's team will have their best shot to win at Nationals this year. The key to her success is putting in the work to find new talent. There are no other women Captains who can field as deep a team as she does. One thing for sure is without Emma,Cori, they will need some other players to step up and fill those gaps.
ReplyDeleteI do not recall any former touring pro playing 4.0 league... Who is this coward that you mention?
ReplyDeleteThe one Betsie menions above who tried to self rate at 4.0.
ReplyDeleteA touring pro trying to self-rate at 4.5 is a coward too
ReplyDeleteHollis, Green, or Benzon ever complaining about another team is an absolute joke. These three are the biggest cheaters in USTA league.
ReplyDeleteWhATEVER - Wah Wah Wah!!!! If they're such cheaters, where are the grievance and protests. Put up or shut up.
ReplyDeletewhat about freeman? Is he by the book captain? I suppose anyone that takes a team to Nationals is a cheater???
ReplyDeletePure and simple - it's called good ole fashion jeolousy. Whenever anyone is successful, the have-nots rationalize their own failures and shortcomings by making false assumptions and accusations.
ReplyDeleteOn a local note, how are some of the HTA Fall singles league going?
ReplyDeleteHi Houston! On Friday I will be a resident...took a head pro job and am bringin the fam...someone give me a heads up on league play for 4.5-5.0 on the northside!
ReplyDeleteGreg Zachary
214-859-2760
Tragic news about Scott Kaiser.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to Scott Kaiser?
ReplyDeleteHe was found dead in his car yesterday. He was HS coach for Morton Ranch and now Katy HS. I think he also wrote for the Chronicle a while back (specifically tennis reports)
ReplyDeleteHoly crap. Any ideas on what happened?
ReplyDeleteHere is FB page:
http://www.facebook.com/scottakaiser?_fb_noscript=1#/scottakaiser?v=wall
BREAKING NEWS:
ReplyDeleteFormer Times staffer, KHS coach Kaiser found dead
Scott Kaiser
Published:
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 6:47 AM CDT
The Katy Times regrets to inform our readers that former sportswriter and current Katy High School tennis coach and history teacher Scott Kaiser was found dead in his car late Monday.
There were no signs of foul play.
The Katy Times will have more on this story in our Wednesday, Oct. 13 print edition.
Wow. I didn't know Scott but what a tragedy. Was there any more information in the print edition?
ReplyDeleteBREAKING NEWS:
ReplyDeleteFormer Times staffer, KHS coach Kaiser found dead
(Memorial services to be held Saturday)
Scott Kaiser
Published:
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 5:23 PM CDT
Scott Kaiser, former Katy Times sportswriter and current Katy High School tennis coach and history teacher, was found dead in his car late Monday.
Kaiser was found in his 2000 silver Chevy Malibu in the parking lot of Ikon Bank near the intersection of South Barker Cypress and I-10 East.
It did not appear that there were signs of foul play.
On Tuesday afternoon, Harris County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Deputy R.S. Carrizal confirmed that a firearm had been found and recovered from Kaiser’s car.
The 49-year-old Wisconsin native had been a well-known face in the Katy area for more than two decades, both as an educator and a journalist.
He covered for Houston Aeroes hockey and high school sports for the Houston Chronicle, and later local sports for The Katy Sun before being hired as Morton Ranch’s first-ever tennis coach in 2004.
Kaiser taught journalism at Morton Ranch as well for three years before returning to journalism as assistant sports editor of The Katy Times.
Kaiser worked at The Times from October 2007 to August 2009 and won the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Sportswriter of the Year Award last spring.
In August, Kaiser returned to the academic field as the head tennis coach and a U.S. history teacher at Katy High School.
Kaiser was last seen by his wife at their Green Trails home early Saturday morning. When his wife returned home Saturday night, Kaiser was not at home but had left his cell phone behind.
His wife filed a missing persons’ report Sunday morning with the Harris County Pct. 5 Constable's Office.
As of press time, the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office has not released a positive ID or a cause of death.
Memorial services will be held Saturday Oct. 17 from 3-5 p.m. at CrossPoint Community Church at 700 Westgreen Blvd.
Kaiser leaves behind a wife and daughter
The Houston 7.5 and 8.5 mens combo teams are undefeated going into Sunday play at sectionals in Dallas. The Houston 5.5 womens combo team is still alive with a 2-1 record as well.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all Houstonians tomorrow!
Good Job Guys!! Keep up the good work and bring back some hardware!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Houston 8.5 Combo team for winning this past weekend.
ReplyDeleteHow did the 7.5 Team end up? I see that they made it to the Semi's but no results posted
ReplyDeleteI think they were in the finals against Austin after winning a close match against Waco but I'm not sure how they finished up in the finals. GREAT JOB regardless!!!
ReplyDeleteHouston 7.5 men won. Great showing for the men winning 7.5 and 8.5
ReplyDeleteHouston 7.5 men won. Great showing for the men winning 7.5 and 8.5
ReplyDeleteTexas teams have really done well this year at Nationals. And the wealth is spread throughout the state. Better then any other year in a really long time. We'll be winding down with yhe men's and women's 4.5 teams both from Houston (also the 3.0 Seniors). Guess we'll find out soon enough if these 2 teams can live up to the hype. The Mixed and Super Srs are in November.
ReplyDeleteHere's how we've done so far:
W2.5 3rd NETX
M3.5 2nd Austin
M4.0 3rd Dallas
M5.0 2nd Houston
W3.5 Sr 2nd Valley
M4.0 Sr 1st Ft Worth
M4.5 Sr 4th San Antonio
Last year Texas only had 3 teams make it to the final 4 in Adult and Sr league (this does not count mixed or super sr)
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good showing by the Texas teams and shows how much talent our state has. If only we can continuously send these type of competitive teams every year, and not have to depend on super teams.
ReplyDeleteI think 4.5 is one of the harder levels do succeed in because of the proliferation of college level players. It's a level which bridges high-level rec players, meaning limited playing experience early in life and no formal training, and the highest-level of players (Pros, former Jrs, and College players).
ReplyDeleteRed Benzon and Tim Green have ruined league for everyone. Green will be taking his azz off next season.
ReplyDeleteDon't listen to the negativity, good luck to both Houston teams. We will be represented well.
ReplyDeleteProps definitely go out to the Texas teams who have already participated at Nationals. To take 7 teams into Sunday (out of 16) is incredible. Let's hope our 4.5 teams this weekend can add to that. Both the men and women are sending perhaps the best 4.5 teams to represent TX to date.
ReplyDelete6:46 poser -
ReplyDeleteThis year, you have to give Tim, Red and Jason their due for putting together such deep and talented teams. Combined, they were 1 line away from sending 3 teams to Nationals. That takes a lot of skill in salesmanship and captainship; salesmanship to organize and create the teams and captainship to play effectively and win. Even with all that talent, the 4.5 team almost did not make it out of Sectionals. That shows how competitive the other Texas teams are in relation to Houston.
When was the last time a "super" team was created in the men's league. Props to Betsie's teams because she does it annually. After Nationals, some of the players will be bumped up and the rest will have to disband to play on other teams. I'm happy to see Texas send talented teams to Nats, and wish them the best of luck.
I only wished I was good enough to be recruited to play on their teams. Maybe next year...
I agree. You can say what you want about these teams that win Sectionals multiple. It takes some major captaining skills to take a team to Nationals once let alone 2,3, or more times. You've got every other team in TX gunning for you. Not to mention personnel/ego management isses which many may overlook.
ReplyDelete