So much for predictions in 4.0. All of the matches today came down to singles and 3rd set tie breakers.
Chancellor's edged out Copperfield 3-2 as Ismael Ducthover beat former 4.5 player Tommy Sawaya in a close tiebreak. In the other singles Jason Rawls pulled out a 3rd setter against Jerry "the backboard" Pham.
The real action/drama was over with Met playing Sienna. I suppose I was off in the 5-0 prediction last night as Sienna came to play.
The Met took 2 lines of doubles with Sienna taking the third which left the singles to decide. Both lines went to 3rd set breakers and were very close, with the Coke champ from this year (Roberto Narajos) taking the 3rd line to put the Met over the top. Just a couple of seconds later Sienna took the other line making the score 3-2. Lots of drama and a very close match.
The Met and Chancellor's should be on court now deciding who will go as Houston and who will be Wild Houston at sectionals.
In the 3.5 match ups of the AM there were no surprises as Sienna beat Spam-a-Lot 3-2 and the MP-Racqueteers won as well only dropping a single line all weekend. These teams should be on the court as we speak playing for a spot in Dallas.
In other surprises today, the Mob squad took down a tough Copperfield team 3-2 to knock them out of contention. The Kingwood team rolled as expected, having only dropped 2 lines all weekend. The Crush and Mob Squad will both have a spot in Dallas.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Give the 3.5 Guys some action on the blog
Not sure how popular this one will be, but here we go on the 3.5 predictions. I have a family member playing in this bracket and he asked me why the 3.5 guys never get any mclovin on the blog-o-sphere.
My personal opinion (and this goes for 4.5 too) is that with 6 teams they should have one bracket where everyone plays 5 times. This two groups of three crap is silly as some guys played on Thursday and don't play again until Sunday AM. Not much for continuity.
I think I have heard the counter-argument to this is court time required to support everyone playing 5 times, but I don't see how it could not be accommodated somehow/someway.
We are talking about having to play 30 total in a weekend versus 13 matches under current format, so the court time needed would approximatly double. I think that the clubs involved could support some of the court time.
I know from past experiences that captains struggle to play their whole roster knowing the one line lost here or there could cost them. Under the proposed format I think that everyone would get to play more and in the end be happier.
HTA should listen to their constintuency on this one as no one that I have talked to in 3.5 or 4.5 is cheery about the current format.
It looks like in Flight 1 that the Racqueteers will face the boys from East San Antonio (Willowfork) to see who represents them in the final. I like the MPTC team as they seem stronger throughout the season and some inside info says that most of the guys could hang at 4.0.
In Flight II, Freddie's Spam-a-lot team takes on a loaded suburbian Sienna team that went to Dallas last year and nearly made it to the final. I am not sure of their retention rate from last year's team but I think they will edge out Freddie 3-2 to represent this flight in the final.
Apperantly this final actually means something as only one team from HTA will go to Dallas. I like the MPTC to upset Sienna 3-2 to go represent Htown in Dallas.
Good luck to all.
My personal opinion (and this goes for 4.5 too) is that with 6 teams they should have one bracket where everyone plays 5 times. This two groups of three crap is silly as some guys played on Thursday and don't play again until Sunday AM. Not much for continuity.
I think I have heard the counter-argument to this is court time required to support everyone playing 5 times, but I don't see how it could not be accommodated somehow/someway.
We are talking about having to play 30 total in a weekend versus 13 matches under current format, so the court time needed would approximatly double. I think that the clubs involved could support some of the court time.
I know from past experiences that captains struggle to play their whole roster knowing the one line lost here or there could cost them. Under the proposed format I think that everyone would get to play more and in the end be happier.
HTA should listen to their constintuency on this one as no one that I have talked to in 3.5 or 4.5 is cheery about the current format.
It looks like in Flight 1 that the Racqueteers will face the boys from East San Antonio (Willowfork) to see who represents them in the final. I like the MPTC team as they seem stronger throughout the season and some inside info says that most of the guys could hang at 4.0.
In Flight II, Freddie's Spam-a-lot team takes on a loaded suburbian Sienna team that went to Dallas last year and nearly made it to the final. I am not sure of their retention rate from last year's team but I think they will edge out Freddie 3-2 to represent this flight in the final.
Apperantly this final actually means something as only one team from HTA will go to Dallas. I like the MPTC to upset Sienna 3-2 to go represent Htown in Dallas.
Good luck to all.
What's Going to happen tomorrow in 4.0?
After watching today and having played against nearly all teams involved I think it will end up like this:
Freeman's Met team will crush Sienna. Freeman will bring the "A" lineup as he will not risk a trip to sectionals as this is the match that gets them to Dallas once again. Having played Sienna in the season, they are good, but they will not compare to the "A" lineup on Freeman's team.
In the other bracket, I think Copperfield will edge out Chancellors. I do not feel it will be lopsided, but the Copperfield will win. Unless Chancellor's brings some doubles guys they did not have today, then Copperfield will win.
The final will be a useless event as Freeman will put out a lineup that can win, but does not have to. I am sure he has already done the research and knows which bracket he wants to be in come two weeks (Houston or Wild Houston). Copperfield should be tired after playing their top lineup all weekend. They will take a line, but Freeman's crew will win 4-1.
Greg, hope you don't mind but I took you up on your offer to contribute.
Freeman's Met team will crush Sienna. Freeman will bring the "A" lineup as he will not risk a trip to sectionals as this is the match that gets them to Dallas once again. Having played Sienna in the season, they are good, but they will not compare to the "A" lineup on Freeman's team.
In the other bracket, I think Copperfield will edge out Chancellors. I do not feel it will be lopsided, but the Copperfield will win. Unless Chancellor's brings some doubles guys they did not have today, then Copperfield will win.
The final will be a useless event as Freeman will put out a lineup that can win, but does not have to. I am sure he has already done the research and knows which bracket he wants to be in come two weeks (Houston or Wild Houston). Copperfield should be tired after playing their top lineup all weekend. They will take a line, but Freeman's crew will win 4-1.
Greg, hope you don't mind but I took you up on your offer to contribute.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Playoffs Night #1
Lee Leclear tennis center was hopping last night as the citywide championships got underway. Unfortunately, I spent most of my time watching my own teams play and didn't get to watch TOO much else...
The once-mighty Mob Squad limped into the playoffs with a depleted roster and pathetically could only get six players to play in these playoffs as all attempts to change team committments were denied. All six are high quality players, however, and as the old adage says, it only takes four players to win a match. The Mob has always had singles strength, and this year they counted on 19 year old Aadrian Hasker and veteran Ted Phoummarath to carry them through. Hasker edged previously unbeaten Brian Mills in the first set breaker, and then rolled through the second set. Ted P. relies on quickness, fitnesse and consistency, and that combination was a little too much for Sarosh Ahmed last night as Pumma won comfortably.
The Met figured to have the edge in doubles. Ward Jannuzzi and Michael Chec were at line 3 and received the default, and David Yang and Phong Regent were very impressive at line 2, beating Santesteban and Pham three and three. David Yang is quite a player. It was my first time watching him and every one of his strokes were solid and impressive. At line one, the match of the night featured the Phan brothers against Jacob Vernon and Daniel Duplechin. Steve Phan has historically been the Mob's best singles player, but they desperately needed some doubles strength. Vernon and Duplechin played magnificently and took the first set in a breaker. Their play dipped ever so slightly in the second and the Phans turned it up a bit and then overcame Minh's cramps to capture the super-breaker and giving the Mob its third line.
In the other 4.5 match, the Black Sheep pulled out a 3-2 win over Ssshhhwings. Peter Rothe was again out of the lineup for Shwing. Three of the five matches went to the third set as the teams seemed evenly balanced.
I have always thought of Peter Hansen as a doubles guy, so despite his impressive singles win earlier in the season it surprised me to see him at number one singles last night. Hansen was a key doubles guy on the SWAT team that made it to Nationals in 2005 and won a tight two setter against Mike Giordanelli last night. Westside's singles don't look that imposing on paper, but they won both lines last night as Sean Lacy also won at #2. Ssshhwin is always tough in doubles, and took two of the three lines, but dropped the match tie breaker at line one as Ristau and Alzate took out the strong partnership Benoit/Judson.
In 4.0, the Hurricanes manhandled Willow Fork in the singles, but showed vulnerability in the doubles, losing one line and going three sets in another. Reese and Montes rolled for the 'Canes in the third doubles line.
The 4.0 match of the night featured Sienna and Lost Forest. Chris Trevino had been spotless all season for Lost Forest, but got crushed last night by Justin Smith at one singles. Ace Melchor eked out a win at line 2 for Lost Forest. Each team one a doubles line and the match came down to Ronnie Kwan and Scott Boarman, who survived some confusion over the score to pull out the win for their team.
I'm not sure what happened in the Chancellor's-Smokers match, but it looked like Chancellor's was in control. Ismael Dutchover dropped the first set but survived a tough match with Nathan Huynh, winning in three at one singles.
In the other matchup, Daniel Goodwin's SAP team lost 4-1 to a Copperfield team that looks strong and has a solid shot at a berth in Dallas. Tuyen Nguyen won the only line for SAP. Thomas Sawaya dominated at one singles for the Copperheads.
The once-mighty Mob Squad limped into the playoffs with a depleted roster and pathetically could only get six players to play in these playoffs as all attempts to change team committments were denied. All six are high quality players, however, and as the old adage says, it only takes four players to win a match. The Mob has always had singles strength, and this year they counted on 19 year old Aadrian Hasker and veteran Ted Phoummarath to carry them through. Hasker edged previously unbeaten Brian Mills in the first set breaker, and then rolled through the second set. Ted P. relies on quickness, fitnesse and consistency, and that combination was a little too much for Sarosh Ahmed last night as Pumma won comfortably.
The Met figured to have the edge in doubles. Ward Jannuzzi and Michael Chec were at line 3 and received the default, and David Yang and Phong Regent were very impressive at line 2, beating Santesteban and Pham three and three. David Yang is quite a player. It was my first time watching him and every one of his strokes were solid and impressive. At line one, the match of the night featured the Phan brothers against Jacob Vernon and Daniel Duplechin. Steve Phan has historically been the Mob's best singles player, but they desperately needed some doubles strength. Vernon and Duplechin played magnificently and took the first set in a breaker. Their play dipped ever so slightly in the second and the Phans turned it up a bit and then overcame Minh's cramps to capture the super-breaker and giving the Mob its third line.
In the other 4.5 match, the Black Sheep pulled out a 3-2 win over Ssshhhwings. Peter Rothe was again out of the lineup for Shwing. Three of the five matches went to the third set as the teams seemed evenly balanced.
I have always thought of Peter Hansen as a doubles guy, so despite his impressive singles win earlier in the season it surprised me to see him at number one singles last night. Hansen was a key doubles guy on the SWAT team that made it to Nationals in 2005 and won a tight two setter against Mike Giordanelli last night. Westside's singles don't look that imposing on paper, but they won both lines last night as Sean Lacy also won at #2. Ssshhwin is always tough in doubles, and took two of the three lines, but dropped the match tie breaker at line one as Ristau and Alzate took out the strong partnership Benoit/Judson.
In 4.0, the Hurricanes manhandled Willow Fork in the singles, but showed vulnerability in the doubles, losing one line and going three sets in another. Reese and Montes rolled for the 'Canes in the third doubles line.
The 4.0 match of the night featured Sienna and Lost Forest. Chris Trevino had been spotless all season for Lost Forest, but got crushed last night by Justin Smith at one singles. Ace Melchor eked out a win at line 2 for Lost Forest. Each team one a doubles line and the match came down to Ronnie Kwan and Scott Boarman, who survived some confusion over the score to pull out the win for their team.
I'm not sure what happened in the Chancellor's-Smokers match, but it looked like Chancellor's was in control. Ismael Dutchover dropped the first set but survived a tough match with Nathan Huynh, winning in three at one singles.
In the other matchup, Daniel Goodwin's SAP team lost 4-1 to a Copperfield team that looks strong and has a solid shot at a berth in Dallas. Tuyen Nguyen won the only line for SAP. Thomas Sawaya dominated at one singles for the Copperheads.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Playoffs starting..
There are four matches in 4.0 tonight and a pair of matches in 4.5.
In 4.0 Division I, Copperfield faces SAP and their controversial captain. Interestingly, Captain Goodwin protested the Chancellor's players but didn't complain about the Copperfield team he plays tonight. Copperfield was victimized by Louis Lu from Chancellor's, whose team will face another Asian team, the Smokers, at 7 PM tonight. Cheryl and Diana will have a tough time picking a team to discriminate against in that one! JUST KIDDING! :)
In Division I of 4.0 Lost Forest takes on a Sienna Plantation team that quietly dominated its division in as resounding a fashion as the Huricanes and Chancellor's. Freeman's Hurricane team opens its playoff season against Willow Fork tonight as well.
In 4.5 there are two matchups. Ssshhhwings will try to take one of the singles lines and then count on its reliable doubles teams to try and topple a West Side team that got nosed out of first place in its division and has not gotten much respect by many of the posters here.
Also, there's an intriguing matchup between the 4.5 Hurricanes and a Mob Squad team that is trying to keep its Sectionals streak alive. Most people would give the edge in singles to the Mob and in doubles to the Hurricanes. Both teams wil be trying to prove they're more well-rounded than people think.
P.S. Our readership here is at an all-time high. Controversy is good for business. Please patronize the sponsors. If you've seen (or heard) the car I'm driving, you know I can use a few extra shekels. :)
In 4.0 Division I, Copperfield faces SAP and their controversial captain. Interestingly, Captain Goodwin protested the Chancellor's players but didn't complain about the Copperfield team he plays tonight. Copperfield was victimized by Louis Lu from Chancellor's, whose team will face another Asian team, the Smokers, at 7 PM tonight. Cheryl and Diana will have a tough time picking a team to discriminate against in that one! JUST KIDDING! :)
In Division I of 4.0 Lost Forest takes on a Sienna Plantation team that quietly dominated its division in as resounding a fashion as the Huricanes and Chancellor's. Freeman's Hurricane team opens its playoff season against Willow Fork tonight as well.
In 4.5 there are two matchups. Ssshhhwings will try to take one of the singles lines and then count on its reliable doubles teams to try and topple a West Side team that got nosed out of first place in its division and has not gotten much respect by many of the posters here.
Also, there's an intriguing matchup between the 4.5 Hurricanes and a Mob Squad team that is trying to keep its Sectionals streak alive. Most people would give the edge in singles to the Mob and in doubles to the Hurricanes. Both teams wil be trying to prove they're more well-rounded than people think.
P.S. Our readership here is at an all-time high. Controversy is good for business. Please patronize the sponsors. If you've seen (or heard) the car I'm driving, you know I can use a few extra shekels. :)
Monday, July 7, 2008
Timex Social Club
Look at all these rumors...
Lots of stuff flying around. I'm sure Diana is very busy. There are numerous rules questions and possibly even some protests to sort through...
Lots of stuff flying around. I'm sure Diana is very busy. There are numerous rules questions and possibly even some protests to sort through...
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Sectionals Brackets Are Out
Someone was nice enough to pass along the Sectionals brackets to me. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that Houston managed to get only one team in the 3.5 bracket. There are 20 teams in the 3.5 bracket, but it appears Houston was unlucky in the Wild Card hunt this year. Even Lubbock got a wild card spot in 3.5. I've forgotten the exact procedure, but the number of entries each city gets "in the hat" is dependent on the number of teams it has at that level. I believe you get one chance for each four teams a city has above the total of four. In other words, a city with 8 teams gets one entry in the hat. Twelve teams get you two, etc. Names are drawn until all wild card slots are filled. Someone please correct me if things have changed or I've misremembered.
The good news is that Houston has two teams in the 4.5 and 4.0 draws this year. There are a few wrinkles to iron out in the 4.5 draw as it hasn't been decided which slot will contain the Houston city champ and which will have the runner up. Regardless, it will take the pressure off of the Sunday afternoon matchups in 4.5 and 4.0 and make that 3.5 city final very pressure-packed.
The good news is that Houston has two teams in the 4.5 and 4.0 draws this year. There are a few wrinkles to iron out in the 4.5 draw as it hasn't been decided which slot will contain the Houston city champ and which will have the runner up. Regardless, it will take the pressure off of the Sunday afternoon matchups in 4.5 and 4.0 and make that 3.5 city final very pressure-packed.
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