First of all, congratulations to the Fort Worth 5.0, Dallas 4.5 and Lubbock 4.0 teams as well as to everyone else who had a successful season. Different teams do and should define success differently. The Lubbock 4.0 team may not feel successful unless they win Nationals whereas the two Houston 4.5 teams should feel satisfied with qualifying for Sectionals. They reached their ceiling.
It was a disappointing weekend for the NOHO 4.5 team. Victory was in their grasp but they just couldn't hold onto it. Someone speculated that they just didn't want it enough...didn't practice hard enough and didn't have the burning desire because they'd had such recent success. There may be some merit to that. I'm secretly happy for Miller and Branch as they did it with all computer rated players (with a total of only maybe two who got there via tanking). I would suspect that NOHO will lose Thomas and Gururaj and probably retain mostly everyone else. Rest assured Red and Jason will find capable replacements and may get some bumpdowns as well. To their credit, Red and Freeman chose not to put their two stud singles players out there to tank in the meaningless final match. (If Bharath were going to tank the final match, it would have been in much more glorious fashion than a three set loss.)
With the exception of the Noho 4.5 team, I think we all knew coming in that the local (Hou/Noho) 4.5/5.0 scene was at its lowest level in recent memory this year. The records in Dallas bear that out: a combined record of 3-14!!!! What that will mean for local players is very few bump-ups in 4.5/5.0 (and perhaps more bumpdowns) as the ratings filter back down to Houston at the end of the year.
I think the local 4.0 teams were both among the best teams up there, but clearly Lubbock was a level above the rest. I figured Coleman and Schaunaman would be the best one-two punch but was surprised how good their doubles play was. I was a bit surprised that the Hurricane 4.0 team was taken out by San Angelo, but the doubles proved to be not strong enough. Whitney and Scott might have helped.
The 4.0 teams will lose more talent to bump-ups than 4.5 power teams do. If I were a betting man, I'd say that Freeman, Spoor, Nguyen and Lu will all be vying for Sectionals and/or Nationals again next year. Ristau, Ash, Rothe, Tran, Douds and some of the other competitive Houston 4.5 captains will have to up their games and step up recruiting if Houston is again going to be competitive at Sectionals. I'd love to see another aggressive 4.5 captain join the mix, and maybe challenge the Benzon/Freeman dominance. There is plenty of undiscovered talent out there...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Even if the Hurricanes 4.0 made the finals Ellingson and Knutson were way outclassed by Lubbock's guys. Knutson should be the fourth or fifth option on a Nationals 4.0 team, not the second best guy.
ReplyDeleteWho's better, Schaunaman or Coleman? How would they do in 4.5?
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised egos as big as Benzon's and Freeman's have stayed together this long.
ReplyDeleteNext year Houston will have Danny Vu. He is the same level as Lance Coleman. Both tanked in order to get down to 4.0s. Both of these players dominated the 4.5s tournament play and could make any 4.5 league team.
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge difference between 4.0s and 4.5s. I believe alot of good 4.5 players will begin to tank in order to return to 4.0s.
Sad but true if you want to compete in 4.5s you need to have played college tennis.
Why did Wooten only play singles one time? Age? Heat?
ReplyDeleteBecause he lost his singles match and he is a better doubles player
ReplyDeleteYou guys crack me up. We endured months of every bitching about Kutson saying he tanked to get a 4.0 rating and now it doesn't sound like he's even worthy of a Nationals Team.
ReplyDeleteThe Lubbock 4.0 team was as good or better than either Houston 4.5 team at Sectionals.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that does not make sense to me is how the LBB 4.0 team was able to get back 7/8 of the players to 4.0 that started the 2008 sectionals final to this year.
ReplyDeleteSeems like an anomaly when you look across all of the other bump ups. I think it was pointed out on the Dallas blog that none of the Dallas players from the 2008 final are back at 4.0.
Recap of this weekends tennis:
ReplyDelete5.0 Houston Team Toney- were point away in from beating FT Worth team. Nanjappa was amazing and went 3-0. Hasker lacked experience against seasoned veterans.
4.5 Houston Team Douds- This was an eye opener for Douds and his crew. Other than Antoine they had no idea what to expect other than stiff competition. Antoine's dominance carried over to sectionals and he outplayed the singles players he faced. Douds is a great guy to play for and made it clear to his team that they will be back next year if he has anything to say about it.
4.5 Houston Hurricanes- although this team didn't fair well at sectionals they really were a good group of guys. About 2 Mondays ago they were still not even sure if they'd be at sectionals. Lots of talent on this roster and I'm sure that this squad will make a run at another sectionals bid.
4.5 NOHO- Everything Htown said was correct. The team had lots of talent, but not sure if enough drive was there in the end. All the negative comments on the blogs in the past may have motivated this team but in the end San Antonio and Dallas proved they wanted it more.
4.0 Houston and Houston Wild- both teams had great rosters and competed til the last point. I'm guessing that Lubbock was in another class of it's own. I have no doubt that Freeman and Spoor will be back next year with strong squads.
I noticed that the Lubbock fall league counts for ratings purposes, as opposed to the Houston league. In other words, a guy like Schaunaman was able to win his three matches at Nationals in late September 2008 and then five days later play 4.0 in the fall league (those results were included in 2009 calculations) and again receive his 4.0 rating after 2009 without any more play.
ReplyDelete"The Lubbock 4.0 team was as good or better than either Houston 4.5 team at Sectionals. "
ReplyDeleteThat might be a bit of a stretch but not totally unreasonable considering the Dallas 4.5 team's backup roster took Houston Wild out pretty easily 4-1.
The Lubbock players tanked in 2009. The results speak for themselves. The Dallas blog posted a 2009 record of 4-17 or something like that for their key players in a league where they can put together one strong team but the overall league is weak! Lubbock players are losers.
ReplyDeleteAs far as local 4.5 goes, the poor performance in the 4.5/5.0 division might mean that people like Borkop, Davila, Hess, Moser, etc. might keep their 4.5 ratings. Even Ford has a slight chance to stay down, though I think it's doubtful.
ReplyDeleteIs there a bigger weasel in Houston tennis or even in Texas tennis than Sarosh? What a surprise that he was a no show.
ReplyDeleteafter being squashed by januzzi, he packed up and skipped town. there's no shame in losing to januzzi, that olde is pretty good.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see some other cities take the title but Houston will be back next year. I can already see that the 4.0 and 4.5 Houston teams will be in the thick of things in 2011.
ReplyDeleteThe Houston Women had a good run this year too but no doubt Betsie will be putting together an All Star team to make a run at #4.
Freeman really hasn't done shit since he moved 2 or 3 years ago. The 4.5 team last year was really Benzon's.
ReplyDeletewhy does benzon always try to put himself with a really good player to make himself look good. poor bharath having to play with benzon and lost at LINE #3 dubs. line #3 dubs and you can't win???
ReplyDeleteLuis Zavala from amarillo has only lost one match at Sectionals and it was against San Antonio's best team Ewing/White in a 3rd set TB. Zavala/Lamb played line 3 and are as solid as any team at sectionals.(didn't lose a match at sectionals last year) I guess a line 3 gets no respect at sectionals.
ReplyDeleteSectionals is over and in the books. Why can't people just leave it at that? Let me guess that the people posting all the negative comments just like to through out controversy. Well, a team always has to win and a team always has to lose. In the end there is always next year.
I'm sure Houston teams will rebound next year. Why can't we just congratulate the teams that won and move on...
The line number is meaningless since all the captains move their best lines around depending on thier competition.
ReplyDeleteDid any Houston teams, men or women, make it to nationals?
ReplyDeleteHouston Open team is going to Nationals. That was some amazing tennis played by that squad.
ReplyDeleteHouston is on the Open team?
ReplyDeleteThe Houston Mens Open team is Captained by Enqvist and Toomey.
ReplyDeleteLooks like none of the 4.5 mens made it. Even the stacked NOHO Team can't win it, and for you guys who thinks Douds team did not belong there, I just wonder how you guys would have fair with those team if you can't beat his team during the season. I think Douds team was out to party, in which they did. Nothing to prove to anyone in houston since they won their division fairly and was not waiting for a break to get to State.
ReplyDeleteHey guys, Look up Douds Titans in the Dictionary. I believe it means GOOD AND FUN TENNIS AND PARTY. no sense of being to serious and recruiting players every year, 1;28 is right even NOHO are not good enough and I thought they have done some good talent recruiting.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the Open Team, This is what it took to win it, a bunch of ex pro and rank players.
ReplyDeleteDOUDS, WHEN IS YOUR NEXT DRAFT? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF I CAN JOIN THE TEAM
ReplyDeleteI think you have to play and look like a TITAN to qualify for that team
ReplyDeleteWho has the funnest team to play on? Douds? Tran?
ReplyDeleteTexas Section is reporting that Catherine Blevins has been hired as the new league coordinator.
ReplyDeletei would rather play for douds, he looks like a cool dude. would never play for tran, he's got little man syndrome.
ReplyDeleteTran's Team drinks beer. Douds team party like rock stars. Both have fun teams.
ReplyDeleteSo no more Cheryl? or is Blevins just assisting?
I will try to find out the scoop regarding the new league coordinator. Speaking for myself, and I'm sure for many others, Blevins will have huge shoes to fill if she is replacing Cheryl. I will miss her.
ReplyDeleteCatherine is not replacing Cheryl. Lera's and Sue's were part-time positions and will be phased out by the end of the year. Catherine's is full-time. You'll like her just fine.
ReplyDeleteNG
So were there any DQ's after the computers were run with Sectional results?
ReplyDeleteThere were...I've heard a few names but won't publish them until I get the whole list.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Texas Adult Sectionals and the Masters Series are left...any predictions?
ReplyDeleteI will say that I've heard a rumor that one player was DQ'd from a winning team. Again, it's (possibly) totally unfair that this team is going to Nationals. The second place team has a legitimate beef. The computer should be run during Sectionals. It may be difficult administratively, but they have done it that way in the past, so it's definitely doable.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Greg. I seem to remember that Gene Davis got his third strike after the first or second match at sectionals 2 years ago, but they didn't run the computer until Monday, and he continued to play all six matches. Your team would have won the flight and been in the finals against Lubbock, who also had a ringer - McRee.
ReplyDeleteI noticed Trautmann is now 5.5 does his match count...that is strange if it does.
ReplyDeleteyou got the wrong trautmann. You are looking at Luke - the one who played sectionals is John.
ReplyDeleteI must say, I had a great time playing this weekend for going 0-3, Really great tennis at our site with the 5.0,5.5, and open matches being at the same facility, Ft. Worth put together 2 very solid teams. Just glad to survive the 116 heat index Saturday!
ReplyDeleteGZ
Htown is it Stephen Stripling of Lubbock 4.0? Self rate that should have earned 3 strikes just in sectionals alone.
ReplyDeleteDr. Stripling is a great player that was a 4.5 in the early 90s
ReplyDeleteAs far as I can tell, the only DQ's from the weekend action were Scott Eddins, Alex Ellingsen and Pat Albro.
ReplyDeleteGreg, I thought there are no DQs for C players
ReplyDeleteDoes not matter on the DQ's- only affects teams that advanced to Nats anyways.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't: Eddins and Ellingsen were M's and Albro was an A.
ReplyDeleteFor League purposes the DQ's only matter to the Fort Worth 5.0 team, who will be without a star player at Nationals. Ellingsen and Albro will not be able to play 4.0 for the remainder of the year in tournaments, etc.
I want to thank the San Antonio Miller and Noho team for some great tennis out there on Saturday. I wanted to see the match and I sat out in the heat for the duration. Noho singles were relentless as well as talented. The doubles was where the fireworks were going off. There was a very high level of play and was definitely worth the effort I made to be there. Noho had the singles horses and was just as good as SA in doubles, and I was kind of shocked to see all three lines end up going to SA. Noho swept the doubles against us last year in the semis, when I was sure it could not happen, so I know it can happen. The tennis was outstanding gentlemen.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between 5.0,5.5, and open is a joke. Vince Menard from Dallas is a 5.5 and Scott Eddins was a 5.0. Vince can not carry his jock. Same thing happened last year with the glorious rating of 5.0 for a Jason Pieters. The USTA rating system needs an overhaul. I also think the grouping of 4.5 teams is completely subjective. In my opinion the two best teams never end up in the finals. We all play this nonsense in 110 degree heat. Sticking to age divisions.
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge difference between 5.0,5.5 and Open. You put the Top Open guy from Houston team against a Top 5.0 and he beats him 1,1 or even less. The singles player for Fort Worth's 5.5 roster was 5.0 and he beat some solid 5.5's in singles. I'd say about 60% of guys getting bumped to 5.0 from 4.5 won't compete at sectionals in 5.0 ever. There is such a gap at the higher levels and less playing time for a 1 singles, and 2 doubles format at 5.0 and above. They need to make 5.0's into 2 singles and 3 doubles to grow the participation in 5.0 leagues.
ReplyDeletecheck out the pics for sectionals:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.texas.usta.com/2010-usta-texas-adult-league-championships-week-1/#
Vince has beaten Scott what is your point?
ReplyDeleteAgreed about 5.0. Definitely should be two singles and 3 doubles. 4.5 has turned in an absolute joke. The disparity in levels from the big 4.5 sectionals ringers to regular players is just out of control.
ReplyDeleteYou can always tank your way down to 4.0, just like Lubbock.
ReplyDeleteAny word on the 3.5's?
ReplyDelete3.5'- are 2-0 in their pool.
ReplyDeleteHard to believe that the 3.5 Houston men are the only Houston men's team to make it to Sunday this summer. CONGRATS GUYS!!!
ReplyDelete3.5 Houston men make it to the finals and lose to Dallas 1-4. 2 of their losses were in 3rd set tiebreakers. Great effort!!
ReplyDeleteHello, I am from out of town and I was wondering if anyone knows where Jim Parker teaches and if he still gives lessons. Thank, Tim.
ReplyDeleteJim teaches at Houston Racquet Club. He is retired however I believe he is still associated with the club in some capacity.
ReplyDeleteJim Parker now resides in Arizona. He occasionally comes back to you Houston.
ReplyDeleteSo, fall results count towards YER. Good or Bad?
ReplyDeleteOverall Good. Take someone like Alex who got DQd at Sectionals. This gives him the opportunity to try and get his rating back to 4.0. Bad for those who may have a favorable MYR and were hoping to let down for the Fall.
ReplyDeleteWait, did something change? I thought fall HTA results did not count toward the year end ratings. Could someone clarify this for me?
ReplyDeleteLOL at the upcoming fall tankfest.
ReplyDeleteThe HTA sent in a request to the TTA to calculate Fall League results into YER and the TTA agreed. So for the first time, HTA Fall results will be included in YER.
ReplyDeleteSorry guys, the 2010 Fall results won't be included in the 2010 year-end ratings but they will be included in 2011s year-end ratings.
ReplyDeleteOk, yes or no, will Fall 2010 ratings be included?
ReplyDeleteIf you claim to know, how do you know?
It would appear that Fall 2010 will be used in 2011 ratings since the league is set up under 2011 in TennisLink. But this has not been confirmed by the HTA yet.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the player fees for the fall HTA leagues? Does anyone know? Are flex leagues cheaper?
ReplyDeleteGoing to Senior Sectionals in Tyler, Does anyone know if a good hotel there? The USTA is using Holiday Inn and others reccomended are sleep inn, country inn, and La Quinta. Chris Leach are you reading this? Where's the Party? Where can I get my migas, and do I need to bring my own tequila from Austin? Inquiring minds want to know? - Davis
ReplyDeleteYou will need to bring your own tequila, dang place is dry.
ReplyDeleteTyler is as dry as a popcorn fart!
ReplyDeleteWhat's going on with Combo? Is anyone having a team? Noticed there are no teams on TennisLink yet.
ReplyDelete