Monday, January 13, 2014

What's Making Headlines Now

It is a New Year, and the Dallas Tennis Association has a new Executive Director of Tennis.

Marc Klamecki
Executive Director - Dallas Tennis Association

As noted on Marc’s Linked-In page, his summary states the following:

As Executive Director, I am the go-to guy for all problems. I am the organization's "jack of all trades", and master of many. I enjoy engaging my creativity to solve problems, streamline processes, and implement solutions in situations where it seemed there were none.”

Congratulations Marc, and looking forward to you serving the Dallas Tennis Community well.

Because of this, and understandably so, Marc’s involvement in blogging on this site will be limited. 

Unfortunately, bad knees have been keeping me away from the courts, and out of the loop.  With not playing and staying connected, I will have difficulties creating threads that will be of any interest to our readers. Bazan quit posting last year, BMO and Coredog the year before, and with Rossouw’s rant in December, my guess is his contributions going forward will be limited as well.

Where does that leave us?

In Search of Biff Wellington

My hope is that we have some new blog contributors with the new year.   I still think the Hitler video was the best, and obviously someone well connected with the Dallas tennis community.  Where art thou Biff ?

Don’t worry, you don’t have to come forward and can post as an anonymous  poster, similar to what I did for years as Captain Fantastic. 

It looks like the December 30, 2:01 PM poster in the last thread had a lot to say.  Maybe he isn’t the best informed on some of his picks, but at least has an opinion and is willing to share it. 

The blog is the people’s, but the people must contribute to keep it alive.

If you are interested in stepping up, please reach out and email Marc.

40's and Over

40's and Over is underway and as said above, my knowledge is limited, but will go out on the limb for some UN-insightful predictions.

3.5 - Bender Team B - (Fretz 2/Bender) - Paul To, Steve Nguyen, Pat Jameson, Bob Garity, Mark Kana, David Leslie --- all been to Nats.  No further analysis needed.

4.0 - Flight A - McKinney Peterson - Even with the loss to Greenhill Kayser, I say it was an odd loss.  The wind was pretty crazy this past weekend and could have caused some havic.  I think Leonard has been in a funk since Nationals and getting back into the grove.  By play-off time in March, I think they pull it together and finish off strong.

4.0 - Flight B - Torn on this one.  Talent wise, I like Wiley.  Odd ball, frustrating, unconventional play wise (I know...I have NO room to talk), CC brings the spoiler.  Watching Grossman last year in Cities take out Le's Newman and Zeller in doubles, and then witnessing Dawson getting under the skin of Weymer and Glasgow at Tri-level (again a Le team) was note worthy.  Maybe Tony just had bad Karma spill over from prior year's Tri, and there is no such thing as the Grossman/Dawson effect.  Even if he is my drinking buddy that defected to Houston, I give the edge to Wiley to get the match-ups needed.

Winner of City?   No comment at this time.

4.5 - Totally, f***ing, clueless.  Flight A, I take Greenhill/Sweeney, Flight B- toss between Greenhill/Rossouw and T bar/Fikes



145 comments:

  1. Damn Klamecki's mug shot looks like something from on of Sisk's old teams. I guess it's only fitting that one of the most vocal past critics of the DTA is now running it. Good luck Marc!

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    1. Marc isn't wearing an orange jumpsuit or black/white stripes.

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    2. So Marc, if you played college tennis like the DTA welcome letter says you either lied on your self rate form or lied on your resume ... Which one is it???? This will no doubt get deleted but can you answer this??????

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  2. Marc, any chance we can get Mike Kelly bumped up to a 5.5? Benchmark?

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    1. Hey, we at the DTA did what we could to get him to 5.0. Be happy w that. And we had to override the system to get that done. Ask his 3.5 partner who lost one match w him in 2 years and has now lost 2 matches in eight days!... Canyon Creek rules!

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  3. Nothing personal but is the best way to become an anonymous blog contributor to contact the new head of the DTA? You might get a taker but don't think that's the way to get them. Also, shouldn't Marc give up all administrator privileges on the blog considering his new position? Do wish Marc the best of luck in his new role though

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  4. Sorry. Good point. If you are interested, you can obtain my email address from Linked_In and contact me that way. I will get you set up.

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  5. Hey Cap. Fan this is Mike Kelly, can you just send me my password? I cant wait to get to blogging!!!

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  6. Thoughts on T-Bar vs. Wiley's boys this weekend? Should be interesting...

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    1. Easy prediction, Wiley wins and then tells everyone how lucky and fortunate he got. He is such a POS.

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    2. Wiley 4-1...

      It's ok to be humble and say you got lucky or how fortunate you are. Better than being cocky about it. POS? Wow. Harsh words. What did he do to you?

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  7. Too bad HP didn't play CC first and then TBM. It would have been much easier to control who goes to the playoffs.

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    1. Control or predict......I don't get your point. DTA already announced flight winner and 2nd place teams advance to a round robin, order of matches played really affects nothing.

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  8. Lot's of matches still to play. Unlikely anyone get through 4.0 undefeated in flight play.

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    1. True, it always gets down to who you can get out.

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  9. Looks like Wiley & Co easily took care of business this past weekend with T-Bar. Should be a good match up in 2 weeks with CC.

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    1. Looks like he bludgeoned TBar.

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  10. If HP can destroy TBM 5-0, then I predict a score of HP 5 and CC -2 or -3, something like that.

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  11. probably. I have heard CC may just default all 5 lines.

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  12. More Wiley worship. They are beatable. CC hasn't even dropped a set. That won't change this week either. Wiley sweeps and so do we. We will settle it soon enough.

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    1. ↑↑↑ ....come on, you're at it again...pretending to be a CC poster......no one from CC is going to post anything as ridiculous as the prediction above. Wiley has a decent team, CC has a decent team, Brookhaven has a decent time. T Bar has some really good players too, but no depth. It all comes down to who's available to play on any given match day.

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    2. Actually, I am reasonably certain that is a cc'er. I'd bet the ranch on it. Additionally, cc may not have dropped a set, but they've played two cupcake teams thus far. I'm predicting a 3-2 HP over CC in two weeks.

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  13. Has Canyon Creek ever gone to sectionals in 4.0 Men's tennis? 18+, 40+, or even won the Fall season any year?

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  14. A quick check around the league indicates JCC/Schachter scored a total of 13 games while GH/Alzuro stole 27 games this past weekend. The season is really heating up with these two teams being in a fierce battle for last place. I guess it will comes down to who wants it more.

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    1. Do you get a higher draft pick?

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    2. But they're good. Just ask them.

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    3. When do they play each other? Is it worth the price of admission? I am sure it will be in the suspense of the playoffs. I sure hope the DTA sets it up to have these two titans of Dallas Tennis play in the final match.

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  15. Isn't JCC 4.0 usually above .500 in past leagues?

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  16. The Lakes/Reifsnyder and Stonebriar/Dickey could possibly decide to throw their hat in the ring and overtake JCC or GH for the last place honors; However, The Lakes and SB appear to have too much firepower for this to happen. There are raging battles throughout both flights and it may come down to the last week of the season to figure this one out. It could get more exciting than this, folks, but I'm not sure how.

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    1. GH and SB both have to play much tougher competition but they are probably better teams. If SB or GH win this coveted honor, it will be due to being in a very tough flight.

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  17. How do you get rated a 3.5 if you played college tennis like your bio sez??!!! Is your resume or your self rate form a sham? Had to be one or the other . What a joke.

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  18. How do you get rated a 3.5 if you played college tennis like your bio sez??!!! Is your resume or your self rate form a sham? Had to be one or the other . What a joke.

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  19. I was wondering the same, how was Klamecki a 3.5 when he came out???? And where did he play college tennis?

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  20. "When he came out of what the closest"?

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    1. Everyone knew he could take more than. 3.5... He was clearly 7.0 in what he wanted .

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  21. So much for the conscience of Dallas tennis.

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    1. We still have the other Marc's brother... Rosseau. It is Harpo and Graucho. One is always harping and the other grouching about unethical Dallas tennis players.

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    2. Am I the only one that notices the Marc's blatant hypocrisy?

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    3. Shouldn't that say Marcs'?

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  22. No, not at all. Have known it for awhile now. Just lay low and be cool and it will blow over. If you give a dog enough rope then it will strangle itself. Trust me on this one.

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  23. It's easy to sit in the cheap seats and bitch. Let's see how Marc and Marc like being in the spotlight this year with people watching their every move.

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  24. Looks like CC dropped their first four sets. But they didn't have their deepest lineup out. They should still be fine next week.

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    1. Looks like Wiley isn't posting. I doubt they lost but he is always first to post.

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    2. Probably Stonebriar captain entering the scores....I'm sure it was 5 - 0 HP win (probably one defaulted line too if I had to guess), so they will have their nose in front going into the CC match this Sunday.

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  25. It's the match of the week and the Garland people haven't started voting for themselves, yet. Very surprising!!!

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  26. Well a little bird told me something interesting and I checked it out. Everyone stand back. The pooh is about to hit the fan.

    MIKE KELLY IS BACK TO A 4.5.

    And let the discussion begin.

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  27. Well a little bird told me something interesting and I checked it out. Everyone stand back. The pooh is about to hit the fan.

    MIKE KELLY IS BACK TO A 4.5.

    And let the discussion begin.

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  28. Yeah, right. You better check that birdie for drugs and alcohol....!!!

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  29. Lots of positive comments about klamface, his reputation precession him! Not good for Dallas tennis.

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  30. Glad to see witch hunts don't work!!!!

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  31. Didn't believe earlier post. I checked it out. Mike Kelly is a 4.5A. There really needs to be the letters sshole after that A.

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  32. He is not a 4.5. Why start that rumor ?????They just have not moved him up on the computer because he isn't playing anymore. Saw him at a gym, definitely not in playing shape and has put on 5-10 pounds from weights. He wouldn't beat a 4.0 right now. Still listed as 5.0. Can we please just post about current people playing instead of stupid posts about him playing 4.5??!!

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    1. He's a 4.5A...Appeal. Go and look it up.

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  33. Should be easy to figure out. What does his rating show?

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  34. Mike Kelly back to 4.5. I can sense the collective Canyon Creek disgust. I can here the gnashing of teeth.

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  35. Kelly not in playing shape, please........I'm sure Picket has him ready for Tri Level sectionals in a little more than a week. From what Tennislink shows, the appealed 4.5A rating is currently what he's at. Guess Picket and Kelly can whine with the best of them.....now they can continue with the grand scheme that they have been on track for...maniuplating the system to get a 4.5 spring team that has a shot to get to nationals.

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  36. You're not supposed to be able to appeal your rating if you are a benchmark, which is what he was when he was moved up to 5.0. Interesting stuff.

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  37. Bump ups to "b" shouldn't be granted because of some lobbying captains and players either....just play the game, and worry about your camp.

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  38. Is this a hoax or was this the most illegal, manipulated, manual bump up in USTA history.? Can someone verify or confirm what has happened?

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  39. He made a national appeal and the national committee said the section was out of line and it was an obvious override of the system. Basically, they said it was a witch hunt by a bunch of DTA members who were tired of getting beat. So, he is back to 4.5. Just make sure you can win the other lines. Or, will he not win anything this season and come back with a vengeance in 2015 and go to 5 national championships and quit on top.

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    1. Not sure he needs to quit on top. He has skipped more national championships than 99% of people have actually gone to, literally. He does not need to prove anything to anyone, he is as clutch as there is, period.

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    2. That's not a fair measure. Most of the people on here complaining have skipped them all.

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    3. They usually skip,sectionals and cities too.

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  40. It is troublesome that a person can get manually adjusted based on local captains complaining. If the Nationals guys watched and said he is 5.0, then that is another issue but complaining should not justify it. Look at Steve Nolen's record right now, he was a 5.0 that got bumped down to 4.5. Since his bump down he has lost 0&4 to a solid but not dominating 4.5 and he lost to a 4.0 and a 4.0 bump up.

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    1. It's just as troubling that the National organization chose to ignore the obvious tanking done by Kelly and the entire Oak Creek 4.5 team this past Fall. One can simply look at results and opponents and figure out very quickly that it was a tank-job.

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    2. DTA brass thought the same thing but simply wasn't the case. You need to apply for a job there bec you would fit in. You better know all the facts before you become judge and jury on your own.

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    3. Nit the same guy, I think Kelly is a tanker but those Steve Nolen results are just as blatant.

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    4. Nolen is tanking and I heard he was instrumental in getting Kelly booted. I agree with Nolen, he would be a stud 4.0. He might be a better 4.0 than Kelly.

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    5. Hey 4:23, haven't seen you in awhile. Nolen, go ahead and defend yourself here

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  41. Why would he come back w a vengeance? He has been to nationals 7 times and he is so tired of the expense and travel he is not going to Hawaii for nationals in April. He did not do the appeal to win he did it to show he was railroaded by a certain unnamed few who now look foolish.

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  42. Kelley is not in tennis shape and he will be a non factor. You don't quit playing in November after nationals, start lifting weights and playing golf and suddenly come back and compete at a high level. He will be a non factor, which this is all a waste of time to talk about bec he is not even on any roster!

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  43. Its nice that we dont need to hear from M Kelly directly, we just get his version of events through his two agents/mouth pieces Pickett and A Abruzzi. Thanks for the offcial statement!

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  44. yep all posts above obviously Kelly, Pickett, Abruzzi. Only thing missing now is a Russouw rant..

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  45. I think he might be more cautious now

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  46. Kelley may be the most interesting player in USTA tennis. More talent than anyone in Texas and more lives than a cat. Absolutely fascinating story and you never know what will happen next. If he actually took this tennis stuff TOTALLY serious it would be scary. What a waste of talent.

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  47. I would rather have people like me and be an avg player than be a great player who is a total moron.

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    1. So I guess you would rather be Patrick McEnroe instead of John. I don't know, I think I would rather be John. Let's take a vote!

      Who would you rather be?

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  48. LOL, OMG, WTF, ROFL, LMAO, BRB, SOL, ROFLCOPTER!

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  49. I think I'm a little from column A and a little from column B.

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  50. Does anyone think they will get the mixed matches in today?

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    1. Who hasn't been searching that?

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  51. Nice of the weather to cooperate with the Super Bowl parties

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  52. Looks like Kelly has appeared on the Greenhill 8.0 Mixed roster.
    Three matches left to get him qualified.

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  53. Why doesn't that cheating piece of crap just get bumped down to 3.5 while he's at it so he can win even easier. I hear Pickett and Bender are going to make another run at 3.5 in 2016. Kelly joined Pickett, Bender and gang at the China buffet to discuss the details. Rumor has it Jean, Phy, and Sam got stuck in Garland traffic and barely made it in time for the fortune cookies. Bender was not too happy when sake and noodles got spilled on his black notebook and ruined one of the pages. Captain fantastic and Somabut are going to have to improvise when they inherit the book with the list of all the cheats in Texas complete with strengths/weaknesses. And half of the group was not too happy they were outta egg rolls, but word has it that Big John Sisk had swiped them early on for his Garland cronies. Apparently TK was out for the weekend, lobbing and hooking away at the Lufkin Invitational.

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    Replies
    1. Wow, have a few too many during the game?

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    2. Is this the entire list that makes you mad or are there others? Who is TK?

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  54. So why would Greenhill not go after Kelley , he is the best mixed player on the planet. Just looked at results of season. Looks like those of you that were saying all his partners were out of level and anyone could win with the 3.5 SP ladies might be wrong. Looks like his old partner is 1-3 without him and 24-1 with him along w two trips to nationals and undefeated in two years in cities and sectionals. guess it is just coincidence.... hmmmm.

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  55. With Tri-Level this weekend, hey may struggle to get him qualified.

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  56. How many matches does one have to play to get qualified ?

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  57. It would not be smart to play Kelley in Tri level, guy hadn't played a match since nationals in November. He will get his butt handed to him.

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  58. Feb 2, at 9:00 post was maybe the funniest thing I have ever read on this tired blog in several years! Get that guy a password and let him take over as the main moderator!

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  59. MK complained to get his rating back down to 4.5 so he could keep playing 8.0 mixed w/ his groupie gals
    4.5 w/ Pickett is secondary

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  60. To 8:02, he is unable to play w his groupie gals bec only 3 from TWO national teams can play together. There was also no complaining to get to his correct rating, there was a judicious and national appeal process where justice was served. He knows no one on the Greenhill team, thus he will not be a factor this year. Kelley has not played a match in nearly four months, not even sure why anyone would pick him up. The seven national trips are in the past and he is looking more and more like the 50 year old he will be next year. However, if he decides to play 55 mixed in a few years that will be very interesting. He will have gone to nationals 20 times by then.

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    1. He knows no one on the team so he will be a non-factor? That's one of the dumbest things I've seen on here in a while. I like Mike and I'm glad he didn't get railroaded, but I could introduce him to someone on the street and he could drag them to a win.

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    2. He doesn't know anyone. He went to nationals with the captain, Mike Zackery, last year. Get your facts before you post.

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  61. Are him and Alan fighting? Why would he not play for SP? Did the DTA ban them from winning again and again, oh, and again?

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  62. To 9:16- you actually think he just magically appears and plays w someone for first time in 4 months and actually does well against a good team??!!! He will simply be a role player and nothing more, he cannot keep winning at the rate he has without help from Alan.

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    1. Hilarious. I'll take that bet and see you at cities.

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    2. I heard he did pretty well at tri-level nationals without Alan

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    3. Well, true. But who cares about winning Tri level nationals against a bunch of sissies. Plus he got lucky and everything fell into place.

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    4. Fair enough, I hear that Indian Wells sucks while the pro tourney is going on. What did you think about your trip there?

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    5. Not gonna waste a week of my time and 3 grand to go play a stupid trilevel tourney that USTA doesn't even acknowledge!

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    6. So exactly how many tri-level teams have you been on that actually qualified for nationals?

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    7. Mike and I are fighting. He cost me a lot of money last year taking trips to sectionals and nationals. He's on greenhill because I already have 3 from my national teams and didn't think Mike had a snowballs chance to win his appeal. Greenhill also has the best team this year. Mike Z should win the section unless they don't want to go to Hawaii.

      AA

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    8. Kelly won't go to Hawaii. He has already passed on 2013 Hawaii and most likely 2014 Tucson. Must be nice to pass on nationals. There should be a rule if you get qualified and don't go you have to sit out. Why help teams get that far and then don't go ? He is selfish

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    9. I guess 1:34 should have been sitting out for years. Evidently he keeps passing on tri-level nationals.

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    10. Just so everyone knows, Kelly was one of our guys who wanted to go to Hawaii. I'm buying a new house and 2 of our 3.5 ladies couldn't go. We only had 2 teams that could commit and mike k was one of them. I take full responsibility for our team not going to nationals.

      Alan

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  63. You mean he is a drag queen who knows how to win.

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  64. I think Greenhill is taking a huge risk adding this guy to the roster. He will upset the apple cart and cause the team to divide. Half of them will have to stay at the Embassy Suites and the other half at the Marriott when they go to nationals.

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  65. Speaking of Ghill, kayser team playing well and overcoming obstacles.

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  66. Would Kayser finish fourth or fifth in the other flight?

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  67. Man Klamecki is ugly, can you one of the moderators please take that picture down, it's disturbing.

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  68. Houston is really stacked for tri-level this weekend. Of course they were favored last year and didn't get out of their flight. But this team is better. Good luck to Joel and crew.

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  69. Good luck to everyone but Kelley . Hoping for failure.

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    1. Itis team tennis, if Kelly fails, the entire team fails.

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  70. Nope , just hope HE loses

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  71. Houston loses first round

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  72. How did Dallas do?

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  73. Dalas and Houston both won yesterday. Dallas' big match is today against San Antonio.

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  74. As usual, Dallas and Houston are on course to see each other in the finals.

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  75. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Houston 2-1 in finals tomorrow. Since Houston won sectionals at 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 last year it should be 3-0.

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  76. Never count a Pickett team out.

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  77. Kelly lost in mixed?

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  78. Lol..... He forgot how to play! And that was a must win match! NOT!

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  79. Can't blame him too much. He was in leg irons and handcuffs.

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  80. Houston beat Dallas 2-1. Good showing by Pickett's crew but Houston was really stacked this year.

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  81. Kelly didn't play in the finals but It wouldn't matter. Freeman's boys were just too much.

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  82. Yep, Kelly wouldn't matter in a finals. He wouldn't be able to handle the pace. He is only good w a counter puncher. Pace will destroy his game and take him out of points quickly. He is not the same player he was.

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    1. Lol, yeah, he has never seen that. It was less than. 12 months ago he won this event. Not sure if he would make a difference but he he can handle pace.

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  83. Some good matches need to be made up.

    4.5 has a couple of good matches that need to be made up. T-Bar and Greenhill/Rossouw need to make up their match. Lakes and Greenhill/Sweeney need to make their match up too. These all could tell who wins their flights.

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  84. You are correct , that was a year ago. This is now. There is a new sheriff in town. If he would have played we would have beaten him too.

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  85. Lots of people say they would have beaten him too. I guess when he plays he lucks out and when he doesnt he wouldn't have won anyway. Incredible.

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  86. Amazing how Pickett can get to nationals or easily winning cities and sectionals at will. His idea of getting quality players and not quantity is genius. Playing out of Dallas and still doing it more impressive. He is in the mix every year. Hats off!

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  87. True. I have never played for Pickett but when I see him as captain I know he will have the best team 9 out of 10 times. Had Kelly played Tri level he would have gone 3 years in a row. By far he knows how to get the best players.

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