The successes of Houston and Texas teams at Nationals this year, combined with the rumored "evening out of the levels" would seem to indicate that there will be more bump-ups than usual. And few, if any, bumpdowns. Remember, last year there was only one (maybe I'm forgetting someone) bumpdown from 4.5 to 4.0 (JJ Deleon). Don't expect to see many more this time around.
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I heard Tim and Herb are playing WTT. Can someone add Huff and Andres to their team and we'll have an official "play-off"
ReplyDeleteSuccess at nationals? For real?
ReplyDeleteWTT is on December 5th & 6th.
ReplyDeleteThe 3.0 and 4.0 levels play on December 5th.
The 3.5 and 4.5 levels play on December 6th.
If you win the event, you have the opportunity to attend a National Qualifier. Most people choose to travel to Las Vegas. Last year there were 6 teams representing Houston in Las Vegas. Let me know if you are interested in attending.
Just confirmed that USTA year end ratings will be released the 1st week of December.
ReplyDeleteThe 5.0 team was successful. The 4.5 team was 2-1. Not bad. With the right lineup they could have won it all maybe. Red is slipping.
ReplyDeleteIs there info about WTT on line?
Go to www.wtt.com
ReplyDeleteClick on Local Leagues & Tournaments
Choose Rec Leagues
Click on "Check out all the WTT Leagues by City" and look for Houston, TX
or click on the following link to go directly to the registration site:
http://www.wttrec.com/recleag/league_info.asp?LeagueID=4518&City=Houston&State=TX&Name=Houston,%20TX%20Copperfield%20Racquet%20and%20Health%20Club&from=join&shw=gi
Houston Men have dominated 4.5/5.0 in Texas Tennis. For you to downplay a team losing at Nationals must mean you've never been to Nationals. Nationals was decided by a few points NOT by a bad line up.
ReplyDeleteWTT is a fun event. Its a great atmosphere but, I will say its a lot different than league tennis. Switching players and playing lets brings some excitement to the game. If you are playing this event than you better be prepared for some high paced tennis.
looks like moser has improved. he beat carpenter 6-2, 7-5 on monday's league.
ReplyDeleteWon it all? The team they barely lost to, lost 4-1 in semi's.
ReplyDelete"evening out of the levels" would seem to indicate that there will be more bump-ups than usual."
ReplyDeleteWouldn't this indicate that more changes to the 4.5's. Low 4.5's being 4.0s and high 4.5 moving to 5.0?
4.5 division is freaking huge. Very few 4.5's got promoted to 5.0, but there are many 4.0 that were moved up mid-year.
Willing to bet that most of you criticizing the Houston 4.5 men's team have never/will never play Nationals.
ReplyDeletethe issue with the levels is this.
ReplyDeleteRed Benzon is a 4.5 again.
Look at the recently promoted 4.5's.
There is no comparison is skill level.
Unless, Houston can form the "super" teams, Houston will struggle. Props to Freeman on getting Houston competitive on a national level.
Agreed there is no comparison in skill level between low-rated vs. high-rated within a level. There's not enough levels to ever make that possible, but that's just how it is. Same with professional circuit - there's the cream-of-the-crop and the wannabe's.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a matter of trying to fix the system. It's a matter of trying to work within the system and the perennial "power captains" are to be credited for working within these confines.
I haven't played on one of their league teams, but have talked with them on occassion and have nothing but respect for what they try to accomplish.
Every year, people complain or give accolades about the NTRP system, but the bottom line is, you can please some of the people some of the time, but....
The deal is this. It doesn't matter what the system is in regards to coming up with player ratings. When there was visual ratings, before DNTRP and self-rating, the same teams were taking their teams to Sectionals / Nationals. Don't think Freeman was around back then but certainly Red, Green, Hollis...
ReplyDeleteIf I were a highly ranked player within my respective level I would seek out the best team at my level, the team most likely to advance and try to get on that team. The captains who do the leg-work over a year in advance, yes over a year - (I'm certain Betsie, Red, and Tim are already eyeing players for their 2011 teams) deserve the credit, regardless of what they nay-sayers say, for consistently, year-in and year-out, finding the best talent in the city.
I personally look forward to playing Red and helping him move down to 4.0.
ReplyDeleteOf course I have to play with him to get him down to 4.0.
yours truly,
"Wonder Woman" Letan
Wonder Woman???? I know there's a story behind that one.
ReplyDeleteYou go, girl!
How do you find the teams that have registered already?
ReplyDeleteI send out rosters close to the event so everyone can see who's participating. Red Benzon and Betsie Hollis are putting a team together. Michael Letan is putting his team back together with Odion, Omon, among several others. I know that there is a team that will be submitted including Brian Smith, who just came back from Nationals at the 5.0 level. There are several 4.0, 3.5 and 3.0 teams applying as well. So get a team together and register! You will have a great time.
ReplyDeleteWho is on Red's team?
ReplyDeleteThe teams are still being formed. I just know that they are submitting a team.
ReplyDeleteThat must be the team Tim and Herb are on.
ReplyDeleteSo what combination would prevail. The Nationals 5.0 guys with 4.0 girls or the Nationals 4.5 guys with Nationals 4.5 girls. That will be fun to watch.
Of course it depends on the guys and the girls. I'd be hard pressed to bet against any of the 4.5 guys with Betsie's best 4.5 girls. Even if it is Smith, Petiers, and Wanja with 4.0 girls.
ReplyDeleteLance, what girls are signed up on that team?
A team is only as strong as its weakest player - 4.5/4.5 combo should win most of the time
ReplyDeleteSienna has no real 4.5 players, just okay/average 4.0 players who wannabe 4.5 ... the result shows it. They get they ass handed to them in the big dog league... sad !
ReplyDeletetrevino is only the real 4.5 player for sienna.
ReplyDeleteSienna will surprise everyone next year. I predict they will sweep 3.5 and 4.0 and will make a strong run at 4.5.
ReplyDeleteTo 9pm poster - get over it already
ReplyDelete1. Deucebags- enough said
ReplyDelete2. Westside Black Sheep- 2 key bump downs
3. Hurricanes- Tough for them to repeat
4. Schwinng- depends on their singles
5. Kingwood- can they rebuild
6. Copperfield- can they beef up their doubles line up?
4.5
ReplyDelete1. Red Benzon's team
4.0
1. Jason Freeman's team
Deucebags are on crack if they think they will beat whatever team Red puts together. He was the brains behind this years 4.5 team. Jason just took the credit.
The Deucebags will be capable of taking down any team that they play next summer.
ReplyDeleteThe Deucebags were capable of beating any team last year. Its to bad they didn't have James Bui at Sectionals. If Hasker gets bumped they will reload with Alex Beaux and Bui. Either way they will come to play next summer. The only question is where will the other line come from? Their doubles teams lack experience but, I know Alain is hungry to make a return trip to Sectionals.
ReplyDeleteOther than Alan and MAYBE Trey and Ward and Andy, the Deucebags doubles is horrible. 4.0 level or even worse.
ReplyDeletei predict the hurricanes will try to recruit the phan brothers, both bui's, trevino, ford, straley
ReplyDeleteThat's a good 4.0 team... : )
ReplyDeleteWhen is Jason/Red holding team tryouts? I'm a 4.0 hack and want a shot at going to Nationals.
ReplyDeleteSorry, by invitation only.
ReplyDeletepick me pick me pick me
ReplyDeletei want to be treated like a second class citizen.
You're picked, now go and bring the water cooler to the court.
ReplyDeleteIs ward the deucebags co captain. I hear he's been recruiting like crazy to show up the Hurricanes.
ReplyDeleteIs Ward the cocky old man from the Met?
ReplyDeleteThe Hurricanes will split. No revenge on this years team unless you can step up to 5.0.
ReplyDeleteTim Green will remain 4.5.
ReplyDeleteWard is the communications director and advertising arm of the D'bag franchise.
ReplyDeletei agree, ward does seem cocky
ReplyDeleteWard talks a big game. He has never done anything in league tennis nor will he do anything in the near future. Lets face reality here, Alain's a nice guy but, his downfall will happen if Ward has any say so in the Deucebags.
ReplyDeletefor the duecebags to succeed they will need a solid line #1 doubles and one more solid singles player that will play line #2, since dat will probably be playing #1
ReplyDeleteAccording to Ward Alexander Beaux is this years ringer!!!
ReplyDeleteBeaux got DQ'ed a few years ago in 4.5 league.
ReplyDeleteThen he worked so hard to get back down to 4.5.
ReplyDeleteAlex Beaux is better than bui and hasker.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Ward is still on the team so that lowers the teams average in IQ and skill.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Ward is still on the team so that lowers the teams average in IQ and skill.
ReplyDeletewhy does ward like to wear sleeveless off shirts, those biceps have wrinkles
ReplyDeleteA lot of people on the Blog seem to be obsessed with Ward. Seems to me he must be a good player then....
ReplyDeleteWard is a good player. He is a solid doubles player with that old school chip/charge/lob doubles game. If he would let his game do his talking,instead of his mouth he would be a much better player.
ReplyDeleteDon’t pay attention to the blog Ward, keep wearing those sleeveless shirts… you look awesome. On a side note, I have this wrinkle cream I like you to try out to get FDA approval.
ReplyDeletewith the dibua bros moving up to 5.0, the duecebags will be the team to beat.
ReplyDeleteThat's like saying with Hasker gone the Hurricanes are the team to beat. Wait til rosters are out before you make that call as to whom the team to beat is.
ReplyDeleteQuestion - given who we suspect will get bumped to 5.0 is it possible with the talent that is left to combine the best players in the league and have a viable nationals contender? And who would be on that team?
ReplyDeleteHouston will not have a National Contender 4.5 team this year. Deucebags will be a top contender to represent Houston at Sectionals. Other than that they still will lack the experience to go all the way. All that is certain is that the local Houston league will be very competitive this upcoming year.
ReplyDeleteHouston will not have a National Contender 4.5 team this year. Deucebags will be a top contender to represent Houston at Sectionals. Other than that they still will lack the experience to go all the way. All that is certain is that the local Houston league will be very competitive this upcoming year.
ReplyDeleteit was not the captain that got the hurricanes to nationals, it was the dibua bros.
ReplyDeleteLance: Question about WTT. Can we go by 2009 MYR or YER? Since it's being held Dec 6, there's a good chance YERs will be published.
ReplyDelete12.31.08 is the rating used for the December 5th/6th event. the 12.31.09 ratings will be used for next year.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't put it pass Jason/Red to put together another team next year to challenge going to Nationals. Maybe one of the other cities will put together a "super" team. Which city do you think has the best chance to do this, or do they have too many established teams with big egos?
ReplyDeleteRed will be 4.5 next year. He'll be on a Nationals team. Houston or other is yet to be determined. He's a martyr and will go with whatever team gives him the best chances.
ReplyDeleteI've been told that ratings will be coming out sometime around December 5th.
ReplyDeletei still don't understand why anyone would play for red.
ReplyDelete4.5 and 5.0 will never change. You have to have a loaded team to be competitive at the Nationals level. 3 teams have been to Nationals in 4.5 out of those teams NONE have made it out of their pool. Just goes to show how competitive league really is. Even Betsies teams have never seen Sunday. Houston will be underdogs this year for sure.
ReplyDeleteSo are you trying to say it's bad Captaining or not enough talent?
ReplyDeleteAs crooked as Betsy and Red and Jason are they are minor leaguers compared to other sections.
ReplyDeleteYou may not agree with how Red, Betsie and Jason captain their teams, but the bottom line is that they play within the USTA rules and they do an awesome job at recruiting. Look at their results. They find a way to send teams to the National Championships while we all sit at home and complain that we didn't get to go.
ReplyDeletei rather sit at home then lose my pride to red and jason.
ReplyDeleteBetsie's team would have won this year hands down. Bad scheduling. Her 2 best players had to stay home to help coach their HS team at Regionals.
ReplyDeleteIf Minka is there I'd rather go!
ReplyDeleteBetsie's best player was Jo - bar none. Emma and Cori were definitely in the top 4-5 on her team. Her team was loaded this year. I expect her to be back even stronger in 2011.
ReplyDeleteIf you're getting to Nationals 3,4,5 times (as all the captains that were mentioned have been), you're not a minor leaguer. And anyone who says that, has obviously never been to Nationals. When you get to Nationals it's always a matter of a few TBs, sets, games, points that decide the winner. The top 20-25% of the teams are all equally eligible to win. Hate to say it but it simply comes down to line-ups and whether your players bring it or not.
ReplyDeletePart of league tennis is not just having a strong team, but also having a team that is committed all season long. In many scenarios key players are missing at Sectionals/Nationals. Betsie's team may have won but, again she did all she could do to field the best team possible.
ReplyDeleteIs there ever a time when a Captain whom has won Sectionals and competed at Nationals wasn't criticized?
On another note, has anyone seen the draw of teams for WTT (8 4.5 teams). Pretty impressive. Glad to see the league is growing. Should be some good tennis to watch next weekend.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of Betsie's team, her players (Emma and Cori) didn't even know they couldn't got o Nationals until after Sectionals when the athletic calendar was issued.
ReplyDeleteThe draws for the all of the divisions will be divided into groups of 4 teams. Each group will play each other once. The winner from that group advances to their choice of a National Qualifier. Choices include: Las Vegas, NV (Darlington Tennis Center); Bradenton, FL (Bolliterri Academy); Kansas City, MO (Plaza Tennis Center); Irvine, CA (Heritage Park); Lancaster, PA; Wilmington, DE; and Houston, TX has been added for 2010 at the end of August!
ReplyDeleteGetting a team to Nationals is an elusive feat for most so there will always be cause for speculation when someone takes a team multiple times. It's easy to sit behind your monitors and sling criticism, accusations and false assumptions. I, myself, am glad and respect the fact that there are captains out there such as Red, Tim, Betsie, Jason - who put in the time and effort to form these super teams. I've heard it all as far as how they do it, but no real proof. They just put in the research to recruit the best players. It is good for Houston tennis and otherwise, we wouldn't have something to bitch about on the blog. Let's take down Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio every year. I'm just sorry they have to take a year off.
ReplyDeleteHey Lance, Is there a link to see all the teams/players registered for next weekend? Sounds like a fun event.
ReplyDeleteThere are still a lot of people that haven't registered as of yet. I will produce a roster next Wednesday but you would have to email me directly at lance.loken@woodgroup.com in order to see it. If anyone is interested in participating, it's an awesome event! Go to www.wtt.com and look under local cities for Houston. you will see all of the details. There are a lot of great players participating and even some teams from San Antonio!
ReplyDeleteSan Antonio?? At what level?
ReplyDeleteright now I have a 3.5 and a 4.0 team from San Antonio
ReplyDeletefor anyone interested. I have video of Minka on my FB Wall.
ReplyDeleteYou rock Betsie !
ReplyDeleteLance just friended me so you can check out his wall to see the Minka video.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to the blog. Houston tennis is stronger than ever. Lets keep the whining and winning coming in 2010...
ReplyDelete