OC/ Feldman v. Royal Oaks
Two solid teams match up to see who will start at the top.
Springpark v. Branch
Obviously Branch would be a fav but an early upset might make Springpark a player in this flight.
Village v. DFW
DFW had some good additions but not sure if they are good enough to hang with Corey's group.
T Bar v. OC/Bovermann
I think this might be the best match. Bovermann has a good group of players to choose from against a good T Bar team.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Word of Caution as we begin season
Austin started their league about a month ago and they already have two DQ's at 4.0. The first one was your run of the mill DQ with Dennis McWilliams a self rated player dropping one too many bagels on his various opponents although some were 3.5 players yet those seemed to still affect his eventual DQ.
The interesting DQ was of Adrian Montanez who had a rating from playing Mixed Doubles and played tournaments at the open level and did well (sound familiar?). He seems to have been DQ'ed with only two strikes.
http://austintennis.blogspot.com/2008/04/ut-men-travel-to-baylor.html
Has the USTA changed their equation a little bit to catch more people? They have talked about changes and it looks like they might have made some changes but just left us out of the loop probably with good reason. I think the overall change may be that EVERYONE is being looked at not just players with a brand new self rate.
It will be interesting to see what happens here in Dallas as well as other areas. FW seems unscathed so far but have been pretty good in the past so that isn't a surprise.
The interesting DQ was of Adrian Montanez who had a rating from playing Mixed Doubles and played tournaments at the open level and did well (sound familiar?). He seems to have been DQ'ed with only two strikes.
http://austintennis.blogspot.com/2008/04/ut-men-travel-to-baylor.html
Has the USTA changed their equation a little bit to catch more people? They have talked about changes and it looks like they might have made some changes but just left us out of the loop probably with good reason. I think the overall change may be that EVERYONE is being looked at not just players with a brand new self rate.
It will be interesting to see what happens here in Dallas as well as other areas. FW seems unscathed so far but have been pretty good in the past so that isn't a surprise.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
4.5 Spring Preview
Flight A
Favorite since 2002:
OC/Branch and no reason to bet against them now. Their hurdle will be at sectionals to see if they can compete with the likes of Austin and Houston but they shouldn’t look ahead too far since there are a couple of Dallas teams that will give them problems.
Contenders:
Greenhill-I like this group with Berg, Romerhous, Griggs but they finished middle of the road in the fall will have to wait and see if some of these new names will push them up towards the top.
OC/Feldman-very close to getting to the fall playoffs and they should get there this time if things fall right for them.
Need some help
Springpark-not a bad collection of players but not sure if they are top flight material at this level.
Royal Oaks-had a good run in the fall but most thought it was a fluke, so far only have 8 players listed, so maybe they have some surprises or they are just shorthanded. I am free some Saturdays if you need someone to take a dive at line 1 singles.
Flight B
Favorites:
Noel’s Village team had a good showing and didn’t lose any weapons so they should be expected to do well.
T Bar: Also had a good fall season and returns some good players to make a solid run at winning this flight and possibly the whole league.
Contenders
Brookhaven: good collection of talent with Yuri and Malcom always tough to beat.
High Point: Martin has a good collection of players and will be tough but don’t see any top line players to guarantee wins but they will be a lot more competitive this season.
Need some help
Both Oak Creek teams are borderline I believe although I like Bovermann’s team better than Juhn. It is tough when the top OC players are with Branch but usually one of these teams finishes towards to the top just not sure which one.
Favorite since 2002:
OC/Branch and no reason to bet against them now. Their hurdle will be at sectionals to see if they can compete with the likes of Austin and Houston but they shouldn’t look ahead too far since there are a couple of Dallas teams that will give them problems.
Contenders:
Greenhill-I like this group with Berg, Romerhous, Griggs but they finished middle of the road in the fall will have to wait and see if some of these new names will push them up towards the top.
OC/Feldman-very close to getting to the fall playoffs and they should get there this time if things fall right for them.
Need some help
Springpark-not a bad collection of players but not sure if they are top flight material at this level.
Royal Oaks-had a good run in the fall but most thought it was a fluke, so far only have 8 players listed, so maybe they have some surprises or they are just shorthanded. I am free some Saturdays if you need someone to take a dive at line 1 singles.
Flight B
Favorites:
Noel’s Village team had a good showing and didn’t lose any weapons so they should be expected to do well.
T Bar: Also had a good fall season and returns some good players to make a solid run at winning this flight and possibly the whole league.
Contenders
Brookhaven: good collection of talent with Yuri and Malcom always tough to beat.
High Point: Martin has a good collection of players and will be tough but don’t see any top line players to guarantee wins but they will be a lot more competitive this season.
Need some help
Both Oak Creek teams are borderline I believe although I like Bovermann’s team better than Juhn. It is tough when the top OC players are with Branch but usually one of these teams finishes towards to the top just not sure which one.
4.0 Spring Preview
Flight A
Fall Wild Card Winner-HP/Somabut: They should win this flight even if they aren’t giving 100%. I really like their team but for them it will be hard to stay awake during the regular season and be ready for some tough teams that hope the push them for sectional spots.
Favorite
Lifetime- I like them as a solid top finisher but right now they have 10 players signed up and that will be tough. But I think they will add a few more and grab the top spot behind High Point.
Contenders
T Bar: A consistent team that should be able to do well in this flight, I like them to finish right behind HP if Lifetime falters at all
Need some help:
LB Houston: I like this team to be a surprise and possibly push Lifetime and T Bar for a playoff spot.
Flight B
From top to bottom this is a very tough flight on paper OC or Springpark would be the weakest but those are very good rosters.
Favorites
Lakes: They have to be the favorite since they didn’t lose anyone from the fall and gained Mike Richardson they will be very tough.
Garland: strong up top with Russell, Sierp and Mckinney and solid dubs players Singh and Gervelis should serve them well. Don’t sleep on this team they will be tough.
Contenders
Brookhaven: With Mattes and Helterbrann at the top they will be tough, it all depends on the rest of the roster to how far they can go.
Village: They have stacked this team 18 players deep and although none are standouts I don’t see any weak links so expect a tough match each time out.
Need some help
HP/Harrison-Combines with Giuhat’s team to form a combo of new 4.0 players and tough veteran players like Taketomi, Schijo and Stevens. They will not go down easy.
Flight C
Favorites:
BH/Bartlett-hard to go against this team which has become a playoff regular. They did not fair well in the Senior playoffs which they won last year but I think that only gets them more fired up.
Greenhill-John has amassed his best talent back to one big monster team. Pretty deep with talent at the top like Durand, Windham, Ryan, Lynes, Contreras and steady players like Sline and Hagen.
Contenders:
Canyon Creek-Madison and Talluri could lead this team to some good wins if the rest of the group can step up.
Hackberry-Utas and Ellis could do the same for this Hackberry group and they might just mess things up for the big two at the top.
Need some help:
JCC-I saw this team in person last Fall and they were pretty solid and one or two players away from being really strong. Steinberg and Liebermann are a strong team together and Elovitz is a tough player at singles.
Eldorado-Consistent group but not sure they have enough to rise to the top. Jim Jeffcoat on the roster, is that the defensive linemen from the Cowboys super bowl team??? That would be awesome if we had a mini celebrity in our league. Matthew Perry once played in our So. California 4.0 league but he didn’t play that much since he was trying to get into Jennifer Capriati’s pants at the time. (But I digress)
Flight D
Favorite
Ok so they have been talked about enough there is no way not to list Springpark here at the top and many have them picking up the nationals trophy in September. Davis, Rasor and McGowan along with Lazarine, Walters, Pearson. OK I just list their whole roster which really doesn’t have weaknesses but they do have to show up and actually win these matches.
Contenders
BH/Pearlman-Burt finds a way to get to the playoffs a lot lately so why bet against him especially since he has the entire Renwick family on the team including 19 yr old Jonathan. Mel Parekh should help them up top as well since they lacked some singles talent in the past. Still waiting to see if Kyle Rhodes pops up on this roster. His addition would make them a real threat to Springpark.
LB Houston: Hicks, Ratana, Allen, Griffin and Burton could push this team to be very good but the remaining players on this roster will have to step up and support that top half of the roster
Need some help
Stonebridge-Perennial playoff team will struggle in this flight I believe due to lack of singles. Rumor has it Ruiz will not return to the team so they are on the hunt for help at the top but still will be a threat every week.
Who knows?
High Point/Bazan- This team is just awful, they shouldn’t even let them in the league. I will play line 1 singles most of the time and we plan on defaulting at least a match or two each week so please be nice to us.
Fall Wild Card Winner-HP/Somabut: They should win this flight even if they aren’t giving 100%. I really like their team but for them it will be hard to stay awake during the regular season and be ready for some tough teams that hope the push them for sectional spots.
Favorite
Lifetime- I like them as a solid top finisher but right now they have 10 players signed up and that will be tough. But I think they will add a few more and grab the top spot behind High Point.
Contenders
T Bar: A consistent team that should be able to do well in this flight, I like them to finish right behind HP if Lifetime falters at all
Need some help:
LB Houston: I like this team to be a surprise and possibly push Lifetime and T Bar for a playoff spot.
Flight B
From top to bottom this is a very tough flight on paper OC or Springpark would be the weakest but those are very good rosters.
Favorites
Lakes: They have to be the favorite since they didn’t lose anyone from the fall and gained Mike Richardson they will be very tough.
Garland: strong up top with Russell, Sierp and Mckinney and solid dubs players Singh and Gervelis should serve them well. Don’t sleep on this team they will be tough.
Contenders
Brookhaven: With Mattes and Helterbrann at the top they will be tough, it all depends on the rest of the roster to how far they can go.
Village: They have stacked this team 18 players deep and although none are standouts I don’t see any weak links so expect a tough match each time out.
Need some help
HP/Harrison-Combines with Giuhat’s team to form a combo of new 4.0 players and tough veteran players like Taketomi, Schijo and Stevens. They will not go down easy.
Flight C
Favorites:
BH/Bartlett-hard to go against this team which has become a playoff regular. They did not fair well in the Senior playoffs which they won last year but I think that only gets them more fired up.
Greenhill-John has amassed his best talent back to one big monster team. Pretty deep with talent at the top like Durand, Windham, Ryan, Lynes, Contreras and steady players like Sline and Hagen.
Contenders:
Canyon Creek-Madison and Talluri could lead this team to some good wins if the rest of the group can step up.
Hackberry-Utas and Ellis could do the same for this Hackberry group and they might just mess things up for the big two at the top.
Need some help:
JCC-I saw this team in person last Fall and they were pretty solid and one or two players away from being really strong. Steinberg and Liebermann are a strong team together and Elovitz is a tough player at singles.
Eldorado-Consistent group but not sure they have enough to rise to the top. Jim Jeffcoat on the roster, is that the defensive linemen from the Cowboys super bowl team??? That would be awesome if we had a mini celebrity in our league. Matthew Perry once played in our So. California 4.0 league but he didn’t play that much since he was trying to get into Jennifer Capriati’s pants at the time. (But I digress)
Flight D
Favorite
Ok so they have been talked about enough there is no way not to list Springpark here at the top and many have them picking up the nationals trophy in September. Davis, Rasor and McGowan along with Lazarine, Walters, Pearson. OK I just list their whole roster which really doesn’t have weaknesses but they do have to show up and actually win these matches.
Contenders
BH/Pearlman-Burt finds a way to get to the playoffs a lot lately so why bet against him especially since he has the entire Renwick family on the team including 19 yr old Jonathan. Mel Parekh should help them up top as well since they lacked some singles talent in the past. Still waiting to see if Kyle Rhodes pops up on this roster. His addition would make them a real threat to Springpark.
LB Houston: Hicks, Ratana, Allen, Griffin and Burton could push this team to be very good but the remaining players on this roster will have to step up and support that top half of the roster
Need some help
Stonebridge-Perennial playoff team will struggle in this flight I believe due to lack of singles. Rumor has it Ruiz will not return to the team so they are on the hunt for help at the top but still will be a threat every week.
Who knows?
High Point/Bazan- This team is just awful, they shouldn’t even let them in the league. I will play line 1 singles most of the time and we plan on defaulting at least a match or two each week so please be nice to us.
3.5 Spring Preview
Flight A
Fall Winner Wild Card: Garland: lost Oberto and Cocoran which will hurt but Delira is still around. New addition Delarosa I am sure will help a little at singles. Fun fact: last time Garland was the wild card (2005) they finished 3rd out of 5 teams at the DCC.
Favorite:
HP/Jameson: stacked with talent should come out on top (Jameson, Wiley, Jauregi, Parekh, Chan, Harrison, Atlas, Zhao and new addition Garudadri) I like this team to finish on top
Contender:
Westlake reformed with some additions should be pretty solid for the regular season
Need some help:
Lakes and Springpark. Might do OK but top three teams are just too good.
Flight B
Favorites:
CC/Jolly w/ or w/o Reitzer. They have been so close of late and I think this season they will break through to the playoffs
Stonebridge: still looking good, no losses from the fall team but don’t see any new blood
Contenders
GH/Kayser: Like these guys, have Sims back but no Fraser, that will hurt unless they have a good replacement
LB Houston: borderline team couple of strong players like Zach and Roger should help them stay alive in a deep flight
Need some help:
Stonebriar could surprise if they play well and have some help from new players
Gleneagles-will be on the playoff edge yet again
Flight C
Favorites
Lifetime: I like this group a lot with a deep and steady roster, no Eddie Hill but Blackburn has stepped up his singles game and they will need it because their singles play will be their weakness much like the fall season but they will be tough to beat in doubles. New addition Jonathan Marcus might just change the top seed in this flight
Oakridge: Oops missed out on Jonathan Marcus but they will still be good but they could use a big gun at singles to help out Molina because they seem to be flexible as a team playing singles and doubles but when Prather or Radcliffe have to move up and win singles their doubles teams suffer
Contenders
CC/Bender: pretty solid team, not going to crush anyone but will not get crushed either
Oak Creek: I like this core group but they did lost their line 1 doubles from the Fall which was always good for a win even when separated.
Need some help
Brookhaven: always steady but not breaking new ground with this roster, maybe some late additions could boost them back up to the top where they used to be all the time.
Fall Winner Wild Card: Garland: lost Oberto and Cocoran which will hurt but Delira is still around. New addition Delarosa I am sure will help a little at singles. Fun fact: last time Garland was the wild card (2005) they finished 3rd out of 5 teams at the DCC.
Favorite:
HP/Jameson: stacked with talent should come out on top (Jameson, Wiley, Jauregi, Parekh, Chan, Harrison, Atlas, Zhao and new addition Garudadri) I like this team to finish on top
Contender:
Westlake reformed with some additions should be pretty solid for the regular season
Need some help:
Lakes and Springpark. Might do OK but top three teams are just too good.
Flight B
Favorites:
CC/Jolly w/ or w/o Reitzer. They have been so close of late and I think this season they will break through to the playoffs
Stonebridge: still looking good, no losses from the fall team but don’t see any new blood
Contenders
GH/Kayser: Like these guys, have Sims back but no Fraser, that will hurt unless they have a good replacement
LB Houston: borderline team couple of strong players like Zach and Roger should help them stay alive in a deep flight
Need some help:
Stonebriar could surprise if they play well and have some help from new players
Gleneagles-will be on the playoff edge yet again
Flight C
Favorites
Lifetime: I like this group a lot with a deep and steady roster, no Eddie Hill but Blackburn has stepped up his singles game and they will need it because their singles play will be their weakness much like the fall season but they will be tough to beat in doubles. New addition Jonathan Marcus might just change the top seed in this flight
Oakridge: Oops missed out on Jonathan Marcus but they will still be good but they could use a big gun at singles to help out Molina because they seem to be flexible as a team playing singles and doubles but when Prather or Radcliffe have to move up and win singles their doubles teams suffer
Contenders
CC/Bender: pretty solid team, not going to crush anyone but will not get crushed either
Oak Creek: I like this core group but they did lost their line 1 doubles from the Fall which was always good for a win even when separated.
Need some help
Brookhaven: always steady but not breaking new ground with this roster, maybe some late additions could boost them back up to the top where they used to be all the time.
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