Monday, September 8, 2014

40s Sectionals Wrap Up



Looks like we did no better in 40s than we did in 18s.  In 4.5+, we effectively had two Dallas teams.  Both were very good teams and both were the closest to eventual champion Austin.  Both lost 3-2.  It appears Sweeney was a little closer by losing two 3rd set tiebreaks and losing 3-2.  Rossouw was more or less dominated in all three lines he lost.

I was confident that Dekruyff would go unbeaten as he is a beast.  As it showed, that was the truth.  He dropped only two games against Baker and Cechen... Combined.  Those guys are very good players.  I have to think Rossouw had a better option than Gound.  At least sacrifice him to DeKruyff.  You know the 5.0 has to play 1 singles.  Baker probably loses to Cohen too but had a better chance.  I just have to think there was a better option.  In the end, it probably didn't matter.  Austin had four guys playing three lines better than anything you had available.

Sweeney scouted well enough to know that he had to avoid DeKruyff.  Cechen is a good player but not at that level.  Lafavre had his chances against Cohen but came up shortin a third set breaker.  He loaded his 5.0s of Rich and Correia at Line 1 doubles and got through it in a tiebreaker.  Kiron/Pollard lost in three and Austin advances.

In the end, Austin was probably just a little stronger.  They got to play with mid-season ratings and we did not get that advantage.  One has to wonder if that was the difference.  I heard from someone who heard from someone that the DTA told them that Austin wanted no more mid-season ratings and that is why they move Dallas mens (still didn't move women because of TCD is what I heard... not sure why they don't tell TCD to move). 

In 4.0, Wiley's mighty 4.0 team got thumped at the hands of eventual champions San Antonio in the semi finals.  I had people say this team was extremely strong and expected them to go all the way.  Yet, they lose 3-2 but when I look at the scores they really only win 1 match because San Antonio walks off a singles line up 6-1, 5-2.  San Antonio must have had some great players.  Looks like he hadn't lost a singles line until San Antonio and then Mike Zackary gets beat 4&0 and his other player gets beat 2&1.  Just like Rossouw and Sweeney, Wiley learns you must have singles ringers.  Even without the singles guys, I thought Wiley could have used better doubles lines than he did. 

Wild Dallas made the semis too.  I believe they over achieved so I am not going to bust their chops at all.  They got swept 5-0 by Midland.  They were just thumped in every way.  After that, Midland took about the same pain (maybe more) than Wiley at the hands of San Antonio.  Wild Dallas had a huge highlight.  They took out mighty Houston by sweeping them in Doubles.

At 3.5, Bender wins sectionals for what must be over 20 times.  I don't follow 3.0 or 3.5 but I know every time i have looked at sectionals at these levels it seems like he has won.  I don't know what captain has the record for most sectionals championships but I suspect Bender may hold that record.  We all talk about Freeman monopolizing sectionals championships but he is a long way away from Bender's numbers. 

In the end, it looks like it was a bunch of good Dallas teams but not good enough.  We need to thank the lower levels as without them, Dallas was shut out this year. 

It is time for fall season.  We will hash that out this week too but fall is about as important as combo and mixed.  We play it because we love playing tennis not because it matters much.  A third of the league is merely trying to stay at their perceived level they can win (about 2/3rds of those aren't in danger of getting moved up anyway.)  Regardless, that is for another day.


33 comments:

  1. Interesting both Dallas and FTW put their 5.0's into the doubles against Austin, amazing DeKruyff still plays at such a high level 13 yrs later.
    I just wonder if Omana would of had a better shot in singles, still a surprising loss by Huffmann and Omana in that spot.
    Same with the Dallas Match maybe push Rich in to Singles against Juan and maybe sneak it out. Either way Austin is tough. 40's seems to be very popular because you do not have the cheating, as rampant as in the 18's. You need the 5.0 studs to help.

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    1. I don't think Rich could get the better of Dekruyff. He would have to be on top of his game. Huffman did not play well this weekend.

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    2. I think it's time that TTA started requiring players to show I.D. At sectionals. When I see somebody in a team photo holding the champions banner who isn't on the roster I think maybe something's wrong. At 18 over sectionals guys come in just for Sundays matches. Who know who they really are? You have to prove your teams identity at nationals and I think it needs to happen at sectionals.

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    3. There was some fishy stuff going on with a couple of players this weekend. I'd agree on the IDs

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    4. What team photo?

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    5. I watched the entire Huffman/Omana match. They were just flat getting outplayed. Andy (the 4.5 for Austin) was a monster at the net. In the second set, it looked like Omana/Huffman figured out to go to the 5.0 since Andy was on fire. It helped a bit, but still wasn't enough.

      I do think Huffman was a little off his game. I've seen him play at a much higher level than that.

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  2. Which team photo? I don't see any online.

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    1. There are lots of pics on social media.

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  3. Congrats to Sisk for captaining his team to a 4-1 loss with two of those loses coming to Siby and Mike Kelly. Good job guys the Fall season is here and the results are so predictable.

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    1. Mike Kelly lost in spectacular fashion. His partner Victor Tran must be really bad.

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  4. Have you seen Victor play? That might answer your question

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    1. Yes, I have seen him play and he is weaker than Kelly but he is closer to Kelly than his opponents. What a joke!!! Good to see Sisk has been cleaning up durty Garland by adding these guys. Pfffft.

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  5. I talked to his opponent today and no funny business other than Kelley fine tuning what is becoming a one handed backhand as a weapon. He also served and volleyed. He is completely changing his game just for fun and getting exercise for a triathlon he is doing in November. He has won at every level so not much to play for I guess.

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    1. who gives a crap about Kelly and his "triathlons". Can't stroke his ego enough I guess. Now has to bring up non tennis related things.

      blow me Kelly. we know it is you

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    2. His triathlon consists of stroking himself, then attempting self fellatio and stroking himself again

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  6. Who was his opponent, Alan A ?????

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  7. I think Victor Tran played extremely well but he couldn't carry Kelley. Frankly Kelley was the weakest player on the court according to my source.

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  8. Why do u people care what he does??? Damn. He is not even trying to win in men's, seems like you should only complain when he starts beating you. I am glad he doesn't take it seriously bec our team has a chance every year w him goofing off.

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  9. Can a sef rate player be dq'd at nationals??? Does anyone know??

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  10. BENDER is the best in the business. It was an honor to play for him.

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    1. Alot of winning players in Dallas have played for him. Amazing how many 4.0 & 4.5s have played for him... at 3.0. As my eyes roll into the back of my head.

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    2. To be able to raise the level of play for those poor 3.0s is a hell of an achievement. They should thank him.

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  11. Freeman rules, much more difficult to do what he's done at the higher levels than what Bender does at 3.0,3.5, super seniors and 75+

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    1. The last time Freeman had a 3.5 team was 2010. He organized an outstanding team - maybe #2 in the USA. But Bender's 3.5 team beat him 3-2 in the finals and went on to a National Championship. Freeman hasn't had a 3.5 team since.

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  12. Most every single player on Bender's roster has been to Nationals already at 3.0 and 3.5. Most of those guys were playing 4.0 a year ago and sandbagged to get down. Paul To, Steve Nguyen and Pat Jameson a 3.5? Well maybe Jameson but To and Nguyen aren't. But I guess when guys like Tony Le and Ryan Delaplaz tank to be 4.0, and Greg Wiley and Glen Flora tank to be 3.5 I guess anything is justified. If you can't win at your own level, cheat to go beat up on guys at a lower level. What some guys will do for a towel or a trophy.

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  13. Fall is worthless. What about tri-level, isn't that coming up? Not sure because no one has asked me yet.

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    1. Seems like the entire league is apathetic.

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    2. DTA is asking for more tri-level teams. It must be the season of apathy.

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  14. Who won the all important Rossouw vvs Rossouw match last weekend? Scores haven't posted.

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    1. Nice of the DTA to schedule them when many would be at sectionals. Glad they are finally putting a little foresight int scheduling.

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  15. Congrats to Austin men's 4.5+ team. Dekruyff and Cohen in singles are a big advantage. Good luck at nationals! Ft Worth and Dallas gave them a good run but did not have the singles guns to compete with those guys.

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    1. Now that I am back, I can second that. They were just too much for us and Marc's team.

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