Here is the DCC schedule along with my predictions for each match.
Saturday at 9 a.m.
Branch v. Feldman
Brookhaven v. Royal Oaks
Very interesting potential singles matchups in both of these. James v. Viktorin, Molina v. Hall, and Andrus v. Sechen (most intriguing) are possibilities. Outside of these matchups, the rest are pretty standard in my opinion.
Branch takes Feldman 4-1 and Royal Oaks takes Brookhaven 3-2. Sechen frustrates Andrus and Brookhaven pulls out a doubles line somewhere.
Sunday at 9 a.m.
Royal Oaks v. Branch
Feldman v. Brookhaven
Branch squeaked by Royal Oaks the last time but Branch has a little more to play for this time and I expect a more dominant win this time. Royal Oaks will have to sweep singles to have a chance. Feldman and Brookhaven should be fairly competitive but the loser of this match will surely be eliminated.
Branch beats Royal Oaks 4-1 with Molina or Andrus getting their first loss of the season.
Feldman over Brookhaven 4-1. I would love to see Viktorin v. Sechen.
Sunday at 1 p.m.
Branch v. Brookhaven
Feldman v. Royal Oaks
The championship will be all but decided by this point in the weekend. Brookhaven doesn't have the depth to compete in the third match of the weekend. Branch should roll through. Feldman and Royal Oaks could also be competitive. Interesting to see which singles players can recover from the morning matches and be successful in the afternoon.
Branch d. Brookhaven 4-1
Feldman d. Royal Oaks 3-2
Final Standings
Branch 3-0
Feldman 2-1
Royal Oaks 1-2
Brookhaven 0-3
Which singles players will go undefeated? Who will win the feature matchups? I'm sad that I probably won't be able to go watch much but hopefully you bloggers will keep us updated with real-time results.
Thoughts?
Seems a very reasonable breakdown to me.
ReplyDeleteThe weather should be remarkably cool compared to the last few days too, that could actually reward the team who rely on the same players to get most of their wins. Could actually be an equalizer.
ReplyDeleteHigh temperature should be low to mid 90s all weekend.
That previous post was not me by the way. Just thought other readers might be suspicious.
just happy we aren't playing any matches at LB Houston
ReplyDeleteCD, no need to be suspicious just because others happen to agree with you!
ReplyDeleteGood predictions. Branch, Feldman and RO finish 1-2-3.
ReplyDeleteI guess that confirms all the hoopla about major league/minor league.
Stop beating that horse. Does TBar have that many guys still complaining about the major/minor league or is it just one of you?
ReplyDeleteShame that Branch/Feldman is first match of the weekend.
You're over estimating the impact Sechen will have but didn't mention Dutta. Will be interesting to see how he (former 5.0 nationals team member) matches up.
ReplyDeleteDoubtful that Brookhaven is solid enough in doubles for it to matter that much anyway though.
BH was actually fourth in flight B in number of lines won and in a number of other categories, but they were able to win where in counted in team wins and losses. Dutta was added late in the season and makes the team better. A key issue for the team is whether Ramos is able to play. They'll need all their top doubles players available.
ReplyDeleteAnyone think Rothwell will actually play in the DCC? He lost both matches in QT and one against Mckinney who broke his foot during the match.
ReplyDeleteYes.
ReplyDeleteIf we had played in the minor league this year we would now be playing in the DCC. No doubt. Too late to do anything this year but hope the DTA gets their heads out of their butts by next season.
ReplyDeleteT Bar
Sorry, T Bar. Don't think so.
ReplyDeleteBranch 3-0
ReplyDeleteRO 1-2
Brook 1-2
Feldman 1-2
TBM = shut up.
ReplyDeleteYou are embarrassing your team and they don't need your help. If if's and but's were candy and nuts - you would have cavities right now.
As usual Coredawg has no clue, RO will not be the same team this weekend. They will be at full strength for the first time this season. A 5-0 win against BH should get the ball rolling!
ReplyDeleteYes, RO will be stronger, but Jonnie Kelly should not be allowed to play 4.5. I am sorry, but that is against the rules and he deserves a DQ if he plays. He is going to be a freshman at ACU in the fall and that puts him in the 5.5 category. Is he self rated or computer rated.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he could be anything but a self-rate. He was playing HS tennis this past year.
ReplyDeleteKelly won the 4A Mixed Doubles State Championship with his sister for J.J. Pearce. Matt Andrus won the 5A State Doubles Championship with Ben Guthrie for Plano West HS. Royal Oaks must be combing the local HSs for players.
ReplyDeleteIf the rules won't allow Kelley to play at 4.5, when was his LOI to play at ACU signed?
ReplyDeleteIf the news was strategically sat upon by someone on a team that will be playing against RO this weekend, it would be very disappointing if it were put on the table now when it was possibly known before or early in the season. It's not fair to the other teams that Kelley played against during the season.
Major league teams will dominate at DCC.
ReplyDeleteBranch 3-0
Feldman 2-1
RO 1-2
BH 0-3
my guess is that nobody sat on anything. it's sad that a guy from arkansas has to do dallas' research. nobody knew anything until he put it out
ReplyDeleteI doubt the info was sat on till now. This stuff is rarely researched until it matters and that is around playoff time. If the info was held onto until playoff time then that is a very unfortunate strategy to use. This is minor compared to using someone you know is out of level and hoping someone doesn't protest. I am sure I am naive but one should not put a person that is defined as out of level on the court and just hope that the other people let it slide. 99% of the time I am impressed with the sportsmanship that almost all people use in this sport. I hope I never play on a team that would play someone that is ineligible. Not just probably against the rules but also against the code of sportmanship that I hope most of us play by. When was the LOI signed is a good question. Kelley has not played since the 6/7 match so it is very possible he was eligible until about that date and nothing wrong has been committed.
ReplyDeleteKelly didn't sign a LOI until April 21 according to tennis recruiting.net which was well into the season and within the rules from what I understand, and is not even in the top 100 in texas 18's.
ReplyDeleteIf you guys can't beat him then you suck anyway!
Kellie is a weird case as it depends on what you consider high ranked team? ACU was #19 in final rankings, is that considered Top Ranked??
ReplyDeleteFor crying out loud they let Andrew Maingot play last after having a verified LOI to A&M-CC, which of course was miraculously pulled when questioned.
Did he play in the QT. Would his matches have made a difference in the outcome of the weekend.
ReplyDelete"Kelley has not played since the 6/7 match "
ReplyDeleteReading Comp 101 :)
T Bar should be in the playoffs and would beat Branch this weekend.
ReplyDeleteTheir is only one thing that TBAR will be beating this weekend.
ReplyDeleteAnybody want to project some lineups?
ReplyDeleteBranch VS Feldman
ReplyDeleteSingles - Owen and Sleezak
Doubles - Clint and Braswell
Rudy and Ron
Walt and Brent
Towel Boy - kern-diggity
Since I can't win, I'm gonna file a grievance!
ReplyDeletewhhhhaaaaahhhh!!!!!
since I can't win....I'm gonna play an illegal player.....whhhaaaahhhh!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat lineup would be tough. Looks like the 1987 National Champ team.
ReplyDeleteyou guys are killin me, just sack up like I had to against Maingot last year
ReplyDeleteGreg Zachary will dominate this weekend.
ReplyDeleteIf he does I will file a grievance!
ReplyDeletelast time I played, I played so well I thought about filing a grievance on myself. I am playoff ready!
ReplyDeleteyou whiners don't deserve to win...if you boys can't beat a couple of pimply faced high school kids that have barely won a couple of their matches against second rate(minor league) competition, then you don't deserve sectionals.Your fear wreaks like your butt after a three setter....
ReplyDeleteI'm predicting a lot of 3-2 matches this weekend. It should be some very good, competitive tennis. Make sure you don't beat any 5.0 mid year bump-ups if you want to stay a 4.5.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to everyone.
All you 5.0 bumpups should start tanking tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteFeldman and his lowly bunch of 4.5s will try to make it respectable :)
I believe Branch is the home team so we will expect beer afterwards. Thank you.
Vik
You let us win. I'll buy you some beer.
ReplyDeleteOC Branch wins this weekend by going 8-1 in doubles, dropping one doubles line to OC Feldman but splitting the singles.
ReplyDeleteRO shocks the world 4-1 against all three.
ReplyDeleteSome might be pulling for RO, but it's just not gonna happen.
ReplyDeletebranch 5
ReplyDeletefeldman 0
ro 3
bh 2
ro vs branch
ReplyDelete9 am at brookhaven for the city
Who won this morning?
ReplyDeleteWow Branch out a beatdown on Feldman and Royal Oaks snuck by Brookhaven on the back of a 3rd Set TB by Molina/Webb.
ReplyDeleteMost impressive was Davis beating Vik in straights, and to believe he was a 4.0 last year?!?!?
Gene, For the rest of us, could you explain the rationale for playing 4.0? Didn't you play on a 5.0 team a few years ago?
ReplyDelete-J
Well I don't think we were able to keep it respectable. Kern didn't even bring us beer :(
ReplyDeleteUgh. I sure wasn't expecting 5-0.
Props to Gene. I did not play poorly. It sucks having to hit 3 good passing shots just to win a point.
I'm gonna go back into the fetal position now.
Vik
Vik - you played well, gene played a great match and branch's team played 5 very solid lines who all clicked at the same time - congrats to all 5 lines, they played well.
ReplyDelete-j - go ask the TTA. they somehow moved gene down to a 4.0 two years ago. There was no tanking, no self-rating, just a lot of mixed doubles and the computer bumped him down. Gene is a helluva player and a better guy. one of the toughest competitors on the Dallas tennis scene. former marine, go figure. only weakness in his game - when the sun gets really hot, the top of his head blisters.
ReplyDeleteall pretty close matches as expected.....but the future is still cloudy.....will Branch branch out or continue to play his dogs...can the dogs go all the way or will they tire and fade....at a crucial moment...can his second string hang or will they stumble??? Can Brookhaven rebound and stay tough...Where is Yuri? Can Feldman's boys regain their winning form or has all the wind left their sails...Why play hard when you probably can't rebound...may as well play the whole team....can Ro hang with any of the bigboys or was this their very best? if so maybe TBar was right.........???? NOT!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFeldman WILL rebound and put a beat down on BH.
ReplyDeleteRO won today but I got to say that Rothwell really sucked.
ReplyDeleteJoey for President....
ReplyDeleteHow did t-bar, high point and huffhines do today?
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah...
Jonnie Kelly will beat any 4.5 singles player in Dallas.
ReplyDeleteKelley definitely had an impressive win today, but Carl's results have been abnormal this season. I think he has had some injury problems but I don't know for sure. I have heard Kelley is a better doubles player than singles but his doubles results have been unspectacular.
ReplyDeleteCan anybody give an eyewitness report? As expected, match between RO and Branch will decide who goes to Sectionals.
Kelly took all day to beat sechan but it looked like he(kelly) was toying with him at times...sechan played well and kept kelly back in the corners as usual... long rally balls first set...didnt see alot of pace from either...kelly was unspectacular in my humble opinion...David looked better than Carl...,
ReplyDeleteRO will roll easy on Sunday. Too much youth for the geezers to keep up with.
ReplyDeleteas expected? nice backtracking!
ReplyDeleteThats not backtracking...thats is Obama tracking....!!!
ReplyDeleteYou livin' in a dreamworld BOY!!!
HUH ? Did we miss something. How did we get on Obama.
ReplyDeleteI think the youngsters at RO will get a rude awakening tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteWhere was Dutta?
ReplyDeletePlease please tell me why Rothwell is playing himself?? is he trying to get down to 4.0 or what?
ReplyDeleteOC/Branch 4 Royal Oaks 1
ReplyDeleteOC/Feldman 4 Brookhaven 1
OC-B effectively has the DCC won. Even if OC-F or RO wins 5-0 and OC-B loses 5-0, it would still come down to sets and games lost to determine the winner.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if OC-B puts its lesser players in the lineup or tries all-out to win all lines in the final match.
OC-B absolutely dominated Dallas 4.5 league tennis this season. All the other teams are in the minor league.
Finally an accurate statement. The fact is that there was a major league and a minor league this season. Branch was the only team in the major league. Once I found out that there would only be one 4.5 team at Sectionals, I pretty much knew we were playing for nothing. I think we could play Branch's team competitively but the odds of us beating them would have been very minute.
ReplyDeleteI have to give Branch a lot of credit too because he is doing it this season with all computer-rated players. I don't think any other sectional teams from Dallas can say that.
Based on Carl and RO's results today, I am now ready to reiterate:
ReplyDeleteKelley=overrated.
Looks like RO was trying to sweep singles and win line 3 dubs. I'm really surprised Molina and Joe beat Huffman and Wescoup though. They will have to play better to succeed in Sectionals. Their results have dropped significantly since the beginning of the season.
Hard to see how RO would have thought Kelley would win against James when the result was so lopsided. Molina had recently beaten James in a close match - did they think Molina and Kelley were comparable?
ReplyDeleteHave to question where Dutta was this weekend...BH brought him in to play one meaningful regular season match and that's it?
BH finally brought in Dutta against OC-B, where he defeated Kern soundly. Not sure if this is because Kern had nothing to play for or because Dutta did actually significantly sandbag by entering 4.5 as has been suggested.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that both Branch and Kern were bumped up to 5.0 in the midseason ratings and that both lost against BH in a meaningless match.
I don't get BH's lineups in the DCC at all this weekend. Were certain players just not available during certain times?
Larry is known for always playing his lineups straight up. It's his opinion that every team should play that way at all times. Not a good philosophy if your team is inferior to your opponents.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what lineup they could have won two of the three matches with though.
I do assume that RO thought Kelley was better than Molina. Why else would they have played Kelley in singles? Molina beat James in the regular season and he is unquestionably a better singles player than doubles. Based on his high school results, I would think Kelley is better at dubs than singles too so I'm not sure why they lined up like they did but, whatever the reason, it didn't work.
ReplyDeleteLarry should retire.He does not help Brookhaven and his lineups make no sense if you are trying to win.
ReplyDeleteDCC final city standings (4.5)
ReplyDelete1) OC-Branch
2) OC-Feldman
3) Royal Oaks
4) T Bar
5) Brookhaven
I had a lot of fun this weekend even though I proved I'm not a singles option. I thought I'd put together my "All-DCC" team for people to make fun of.
ReplyDeleteSingles
Gene Davis and Brent James
There was some talk about how good RO and Brookhaven's singles were and how Branch had some tough doubles but little credit was given to Branch's singles. All these two did was go 5-0 over the weekend and carry the team to Sectionals. If they continue to come up with the big wins, Branch could be playing on Sunday for a trip to Vegas.
Doubles
Paul Kiron and Chris Slezak
Paul got victories with two different partners at line 1 playing some solid tennis. Sleezy also went 2-0 carrying a heavy load while serving and returning very well.
Joe Rauschuber and Joey Molina
Joe played with three different partners over the weekend going 2-1. He and Joey won an impressive 20-18 tiebreak against Wescoup and Huffman and then came back and won a tiebreak against Feldman's young guns. Molina was as advertised winning two doubles matches and then came back in the afternoon and took out Vik in singles. As far as the speculation about Molina in singles against Branch, I don't think he wanted to play two singles back to back Sunday and it's easier to play doubles then singles. Just a guess.
Kole Frink and Todd Feldman
Kole lost a tough doubles match against Branch although he played very well. Then he bounced back to secure two wins. Todd bounced back from a sub par first match to win two important doubles matches and a second place finish for the team.
Honorable Mention
Lasalle and Ramos
Although Brookhaven didn't get a team win this weekend, Lasalle and Ramos played well in an undefeated weekend.
I realize these aren't really doubles teams just a way to recognize some of the players who impressed me this weekend. Nice job on the predictions CoreDawg.
Thanks Jason. Good luck at sectionals.
ReplyDelete20-18 tiebreak. That's the longest I've heard of outside the tour.
Nice job OC/Branch - very impressive all weekend. I hope you guys make Nats this year!
ReplyDeleteAs predicted by everyone, the major league teams finished 1-2-3 and the one minor league team went 0-3. T-Bar likely would have been 4th but they werent allowed to compete.
RO had to know that if they lost to OC Branch the second match was meaningless. You've got to put your best options out there in your most important match.
ReplyDeleteHow good was Dutta? Based on his previous results I can't see why BH waited until they were 0-2 to get him into the lineup.
Great job OC Branch. That was impressive. The veterans took it to the young pups for most of the weekend. Very well played and good luck at sectionals.
ReplyDeleteCoreDawg, thanks for recognizing the lack of self rates. I also think the youngest guy on the team is 34 so it's a bunch of "old farts" that pulled through this weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt would be against the norm if Branch makes it to Nationals since their are no "ringers" but hopefully throwing 5 solid lines out every time will give us a chance.
It's a real shame that a second Dallas team won't be at Sectionals even though there were 20 teams. Hopefully that won't become a trend.
What a shock that Branch and Kern (both bumped to 5.0) lost their doubles matches against BH in a meaningless match. Hmm, i don't see anything odd about that do you?
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm doing a really poor job tanking though going 8-1 (6-0 in "meaningful" regular season matches) this year and only dropping an average of 2 games a set in the first two playoff matches. I'm sure that one loss will get me down to 4.5.
ReplyDeleteBranch's 3rd set tiebreak loss will also get him down quickly.
Jason, what other teams are in your flight at Sectionals? Since I've never been there, I have no idea how to look it up. Also, I tried to e-mail you a while back and it didn't go through. I think I may have found the racket you've been looking for with one of my lessons. What kind is it again?
ReplyDeleteDallas, wild houston, Corpus Amarillo
ReplyDeleteAll right it looks like we can project the composition of our Major League Flight in 2010. Under the new policy adopted by the DTA the top three teams from the spring plus the fall winner are all put in Flight A (The Majors). So in 2010 we'll have . . .
ReplyDeleteOC Branch
OC Feldman
RO
Fall winner (maybe T Bar)
The big issue is whether to bump up Brookhaven to the majors next year. They didnt win any DCC matches but they did play well.
LETS HAVE A POLL. HOW MANY PEOPLE FAVOR ALLOWING BROOKHAVEN TO PLAY IN THE MAJORS NEXT YEAR?
I was playing with the Wilson Hammer 5.5 Stretch but after I got down to just one I gave up on them and finally bought new rackets last week. Thanks for looking though.
ReplyDeleteall kidding aside the dta needs to do a better job seeding teams and placing teams into flights.
ReplyDeleteThe major/minor is finally settled.
ReplyDeleteBranch was the major league team.
Feldman/Royal Oaks were AAA.
Everyone else was AA or lower.
I know everyone loves to bash DTA, but props to them for the keg at each location Sunday.
So, that finally explains where our $30+ league fees go!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the RO/BH match was very tight. CoreDawg, you asked how BH could've won a match. Well, Dutta playing in that one would've done it. OC-F/BH also came down to the supertiebreakers to decide. I think that it's fairly clear that OC-F is the better overall team of the two, but BH managed to push them in that match.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, OC-F, RO, and BH were each separated by one line. OC-B was head and shoulders above all those teams, so maybe it's fitting that they're the only team going to Sectionals.
Kern, I might've agreed with you regarding Rauschuber making all-DCC if not for his first match. Regardless, that guy's an excellent player.
ReplyDeleteLots of curious lineups from BH and RO. Dutta not playing until Sunday afternoon for BH. No Walters for RO all weekend leaving them shorthanded in doubles. Poor Kelley got fed to the wolves on Sunday - 61,60,60,61 for a guy who normally played a lot of doubles in high school. Not sure they had a lot of options for a third singles player though after Molina/Andrus.
ReplyDeleteOverall, not a lot of depth from any of the teams. May be a factor for Branch at sectionals too.
RE: Rauschuber's first match.
ReplyDeleteUmm. Think you can throw that one out. See previous matches w/ that doubles partner.
I didn't see any of that match since it was off the court before I was but I was guessing that they didn't play Joe that much. It's kinda like how Sleezy doesn't really get to hit many balls playing with me. Something about strategy I think? Who would you have put on there instead?
ReplyDeleteYes, Raushuber is awesome but even he couldn't carry Rothwell. I really think Rothwell is trying to get bumped down to 4.0. Just no reason he shoudl be playing 4.5 playoff tennis. Kern, give yourself more credit. I don't see anyone beating you and Slezak at Sectionals. I was also very impressed with the score of Wesley James over Kelley. 0 and 1 Ouch.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to the Branch team at sectionals. Wish we could sneak in there w/ a wildcard just for the experience.
ReplyDeleteProps to my teamates for rebounding from Saturday's beating. It was good to meet a few more people and put faces to names.
I will now go work on my doubles game.
Vik
I don't think I can understand the lopsided score of that first match even against one of the elite 4.5 doubles teams in the DCC. That score doesn't happen without both players playing pretty poorly.
ReplyDeleteVik, you're a solid singles player. Just tighten up your strengths a little bit, work on any weaknesses, and get in better shape. You'll be back to play another day.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the weekend of playing and getting out of the house as much as I could considering I went 0-3. Kern, your are full of it! You played as well or better than Chris did against us.
ReplyDeleteT BAR wouldnt have made the playoffs in the other division. High Point, Huffhines, and Brookhaven would beat them.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't Ed join Kern on Branch's team this year?
ReplyDeleteWhich 4.5 teams from the other cities advanced to Sectionals?
ReplyDeleteWhich 4.5 teams from the other cities advanced to Sectionals?
ReplyDeleteGreat weekend of tennis indeed! Shootin the shit with everyone afterwards, around the keg, was definitely a bonus. Win or loose, that's what its all about folks.Like Greg said, Jason, you were on fire against us. I thought we were holding our own at times, but could not convert those freakin brake points against you guys.You and Chris should spank plenty of teams @ sectionals. Good luck to Branch team. Cheers, Oscar
ReplyDeleteJason, that was the racket I found, but it was time for you to move on anyway. Good luck with the new ones.
ReplyDeleteThis years sectionals is going to be really odd.
ReplyDeleteSome of these teams are real jokes. Teams in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio should be pretty pissed they didn't get in vs. some of these teams.
Corpus and Amarillo are complete jokes.
SETX didn't show up last year, Waco hasn't even started their league yet.
NETX has a 3 team league. The other two teams had 5 or 6 guys on them and were all 4.0's.
You've got Dallas with 20 teams, Austin has around 10, Houston has 14.
But if you live in Tyler and can find a few dumb asses to come out and play on the weekends you can come to sectionals.
I get wanting to give everyone a chance to compete at a higher level, but there has to be some sort of check on this kind of thing. RO and Feldman would both destroy these teams. It's the way it is so we get to deal with it, but I fail to see the fairness of having to play 10 league matches in Dallas, go through a city playoff and only the winner moves on when the top 3 could compete at a much higher level than these other teams from around the state.
OH forgot to mention that SETX is the same as NETX except the teams they were playing against actually had 3.5's on the opposing teams. Seriously???????
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazingly top heavy sectionals.
Houston, Austin, SA, and Dallas will dominate this tournament. There's gonna be an awful lot of 4-1, 5-0 wins against these teams.
Ft Wth will be tough.
ReplyDeleteCan you really consider the NETX team coming from a league. Those matches look like a Saturday hit around. How do you qualify and bump out a serious team by playing 2 "league" matches where there is only 3 lines played. How about some quality control on these "leagues". That is what the QT tournament is for. What a joke. Dallas got hosed. San Antonio got hosed. Austin got hosed. Even if you keep it at 12 teams. The NETX league is among the worst "getting around the rules" charade I have seen in USTA tennis in 15 years. Check out these matches that qualified NETX for the dance.
ReplyDeletehttp://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/reports/TennisLinkReports.asp?Level=M&MatchID=1001241823
and
http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/reports/TennisLinkReports.asp?Level=M&MatchID=1001241825
Playing 3 lines against mostly 4.0 players. USTA- please take a close look.
NETX is no worse than the Valley playing a couple of Pro-Sets to get qualified. Why there no set rules Sectionwide? Hell Houst has to play 2/3 No-Ad w/ a MTB?
ReplyDeleteDallas is indeed a tennis Mecca...but why doesn't the number of teams that go to sectionals work like the congress...? The more people playing the more representation? It would be impossible to have all of the top players in this league compete on one team...no one would get to play two matches so no one would qualify for cities or sectionals!!! We need to get the DTA to lobby this point HARD over the next few months after all these week ass teams get crucified in the sectionals!! Good tennis this weekend...lots of surprises and lots of predictable outcomes..Good hard work and good sportsmanship makes this the sport of champions!!!! See yall next season....
ReplyDeleteJust need to start a mid-cities league. sign up family members and a couple of friends and neighbors for the 2 "extra" teams. Then you get your automatic spot at Sectionals. Don't have to mess with court fees, balls, gas money, etc. Just an easy, guaranteed trip to sectionals for the mid-cities league champ.
ReplyDeleteWhole lot of comments. BS on TBM they would have kicked the crap out of the "B" league and would easily made the playoffs. True A and B league. However, what does it matter everyone plays for second behind Branch (no complaints they put together a great team). Problem is Dallas is with out a doubt the best city in Texas only problem is we are fragmented and there will be one team in Texas that will put together a TOTAL ringer team and advance to nationals, that is pure and simple how it is done......been there done that twice so I know what I am talking about.
ReplyDeleteBranch go for it anyone that does not cheer for you should just not play here or play out of Ft Worth and recruit from there and all of West TX because you will need more than that to beat Branch! Great season, if you did not have fun do not play next season!!!!! End of story
BCS!
ReplyDeleteWhat I hear is a lot of sad sour grapes whining about other areas in the state. You complain that Dallas has too much tennis. If you dont like playing that much, move to Beaumont or Tyler. SETX, Waco, NETX, Amarillo, etc form leagues in order to compete at sectionals. In years that there is not enough participation, these areas play the QT in Abilene. If you dont want to move, get better and play for a local team that can win.
ReplyDeleteTo anon 9:52. If you are one of those small market teams, how about playing Austin 2nd place or Dallas 2nd place for your spot in sectionals. Winner goes. There is your participation. No sour grapes. Just want a more even playing field. See, I respect the Abilene team more than some of the other small market teams. They coulda gone out and signed up some less competitive teams to get a free shot at sectionals and didn't. I just argue that to get to sectionals you should have to do more than just get your 4.0 buddies to sign up on 2 extra teams just to qualify under some quirk in the rules. I do have to give some small market teams credit. At least y'all played 2 out of 3 sets. As was pointed out above, the Valley just gets out for and easy 8 game pro set to qualify. I'm sure the goal of TTA is not to get the best 12 teams at sectionals but is to get across the state representation. Too bad there isn't some quality control on how to qualify for sectionals. I don't want to see the small market teams eliminated from sectionals, just think that the path to get there should be more equal. Being the best or 2nd best is a lot, lot harder than being the best out of 3 teams when you can stack the deck by signing up two teams consisting of many 4.0s and some 3.5s.
ReplyDeleteYou have a good point about the wild teams being stronger than some of the small market teams. What is the solution? It is up to the local league coordinator to establish local league guidelines. I agree that there should be some standards, but how do you apply these to the smaller markets who do not have enough players? Would Houston teams want to drive out to Beaumont once a week to play a match? Would a Dallas team want to come out to Tyler or Nacogdoches? Give me a solution.
ReplyDeleteThe TTA needs to increase the size of the pools at sectionals so that you can have representation from the best players in the section.
Bye the way, Abilene has had a small local league to qualify players in the past. It is also easy for them to participate in the QT as it is in Abilene. I am all for moving the QT around the state.
ReplyDeleteAn easy solution is putting a number on how many teams actually qualifies as a "league". 6 or more and you get an automatic bid to sectionals. 5 or fewer and you have to participate in a QT to get into sectionals. I just picked a number but that is a really good way to manage the quality of teams "earning" trips to sectionals. The NETX, SETX, and Amarillo teams basically played down a level to qualify for 4.5 sectionals.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they are able to qualify, occassionally they put some really good teams together.
It's a fairness issue the TTA needs to look at. Is it fair to make those teams travel for a QT? I don't know, is it fair that teams out of Dallas have to commit 12 weekends to tennis for a season?
I like the idea of the wild card teams from the larger cities competing with the smaller market teams at the QT, which would be rotated each year or at least made more central. The top teams from the QT would then qualify for Sectionals.
ReplyDeleteDoing so would accomplish the dual goals of giving the smaller market teams a chance of being represented and ensuring that the best-qualified teams would end up at Sectionals.
It still seems that you are complaining about living in an area where there is too much tennis. I agree that there should be some sort of standard. Right now, it is three teams for a local league. It is not fun for anyone to play lower level players to qualify, but what are the options? A sectional QT for all areas without 6 teams? Sounds like a winner to me.
ReplyDeleteIf your vision holds true, then sectionals would consist of the first and second place teams from Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and maybe Ft. Worth. Ten teams and a QT team (maybe 2). Four flights of 3 teams or 3 flights of 4 teams.
Send it in. I'll support it.
or just expand sectionals to 16. Solves almost all problems. That also gets rid of having one 2nd place team at sectionals make it to the final 4.
ReplyDeleteThis is like the founding fathers determining how to give representation, should the larger states have more which gives them an unfair voting advantage.
ReplyDeleteLook, we all realize that everyone deserves a chance to play at sectionals, it's a blast!
I think the point is that it should be earned. If SETX is good enough to play by all means come to Dallas and throw down. It becomes an issue when teams from the larger areas do not advance based upon a sham league in a small city in SETX. In Dallas and Houston, you have to do well in the regular season and then win City's. Austin and SA your playing everyone twice. Those are all good samples of who the best teams are. Take Oldschool in Austin as the example. They lost to AustinWild twice 3-2. They dominated the rest of Austin. Because there are no WC's they're out. I'd bet my house that they would absolutely destroy SETX, NETX, and Amarillo.
They deserve a spot at Sectionals, take the number up to 16 so those teams can be included. I'm not saying eliminate the other 3 but by allowing those 3 your taking away from alot of hard work by some really good tennis players.
This is like the founding fathers determining how to give representation, should the larger states have more which gives them an unfair voting advantage.
ReplyDeleteLook, we all realize that everyone deserves a chance to play at sectionals, it's a blast!
I think the point is that it should be earned. If SETX is good enough to play by all means come to Dallas and throw down. It becomes an issue when teams from the larger areas do not advance based upon a sham league in a small city in SETX. In Dallas and Houston, you have to do well in the regular season and then win City's. Austin and SA your playing everyone twice. Those are all good samples of who the best teams are. Take Oldschool in Austin as the example. They lost to AustinWild twice 3-2. They dominated the rest of Austin. Because there are no WC's they're out. I'd bet my house that they would absolutely destroy SETX, NETX, and Amarillo.
They deserve a spot at Sectionals, take the number up to 16 so those teams can be included. I'm not saying eliminate the other 3 but by allowing those 3 your taking away from alot of hard work by some really good tennis players.
Where is your house located?? As a member of the NETX team, I may want to take you up on that bet.
ReplyDeleteI don't think pretty much anybody is saying dump on the small cities. We just want a little bit more to go into getting into sectionals. Good point on the rigorous route that the big cities make to get the sectionals. I want the smaller cities in sectionals. I understand that a team from Lufkin can't get a 10 league team together because of numbers. Just saying that when the only criteria to get to sectionals is playing two team matches that included 3 lines per duel match it just seems to be a poke in the eye to a team that played 10+ weeks of tennis against some of the best teams in the state (and maybe even nation) to get to sectionals. There are great examples of how small city teams have won it all at 4.5. Since I've been playing, I know the Valley has one twice and I think a team from Midland won in the 90s too. Small league teams have another advantage no one has pointed out. It has got to be about 100 percent easier to get a self rate player qualified into sectionals. Just play that 8 game pro-set down in the valley. lose 2-3 games and you are gold. NOHO seemed to benefit from these rules last year. Great strategy if you can use it.
ReplyDelete"Where is your house located?? As a member of the NETX team, I may want to take you up on that bet."
ReplyDeleteYou would be lucky to win one line against Austin Wild. You would be lucky to win one line against Dallas, Houston or San Antonio. You should have been made to play in the QT where you would have gotten beat by Abilene or SETX.
But congrats on winning 3 lines against 4.0 players to make sectionals.
Seriously. Do you think your team could win 2 lines against Houston?
ReplyDeletewho cares. start a new thread.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. This tune has been played out. Quit complaining about small crappy leagues and either petition the TTA to increase the draws to 16 (or 20) or go hit some serves.
ReplyDeleteagreed to your agree
ReplyDeleteEven T-Bar could beat NETX!!!! OCF and RO would be slam dunks!!! TTA needs to try to bring the best teams to the tournament so that Texas is represented well nationally. It is fun for all but is also a matter of pride for the LONE STAR STATE! The small markets are also able to concentrate the very best unrated/self-rated talent on one "A" team....Let's face it..the system needs an upgrade...Who do we write the letters to so that we can bring this idea to the powers that be??
ReplyDeleteNo offense but why don't you guys complaining look inward and try to come up with a team that can win cities and beat Branch's team, before you try to fix all the problems of the TTA. The problem is that Branch dominates 4.5 in Dallas and then gets creamed each year at sectionals. You are calling Dallas the Tennis Mecca, but your so called Tennis Mecca representative is being spanked each year by other cities in Texas. The Dallas area needs to figure out how to put a dominate team together that can compete at sectionals before we start proclaiming that Dallas is all that much better than these other areas that you are bagging on. Just fix Dallas and quite bitching about the TTA. This in no bash on team Branch either, they are very. Dallas should have a more competitive team like San Antonio and Houston does each year. The solution is not combining RO, OCB, and OCF either, that team would still get beat at sectionals. You need to start recruiting some better players to play 4.5 in Dallas. Go Spurs.
ReplyDeleteWe just need more ringers,sandbaggers and self raters.......go Spurs ;-(
ReplyDeletetrudat
ReplyDeleteI took the time to look at rosters last night. None of the Dallas teams, with the exception of Rusty's, look that impressive. A few good players here and there but in no way able to compete well at sectionals. Austinwild and Old School are the same old teams with a couple of fresh adds. Lose a Strawbridge here, pick up a Case there. Houston and San Antonio should roll.
ReplyDeleteI'd hardly say that Branch's team has been "creamed" at Sectionals.
ReplyDeleteok instead of creamed, how does this sound, Branch's team has NEVER won more than 2 matches on Sunday at Sectionals - EVER. Dallas is far from the Tennis Mecca. Houson Rules the state of Texas in Tennis. We only let you have the tournament in Dallas, so you don't give up and quite coming. We enjoy watching you cry.
ReplyDeleteAnd they want their second place team to play us too!
ReplyDeleteDepends on what you mean by "rules".
ReplyDeleteDallas has many more teams and players, and the talent is much more spread out rather than concentrated on a few teams. Dallas also doesn't abuse the system as much in particular as Houston and San Antonio. I don't know as much about Austin teams and captains, so can't say for sure about them.
I love Houston tennis! :) if it wasn't such a god forsaken place maybe they'd hold league sectionals there too. No, Dallas/Fort Worth isn't the tennis Mecca but I guess we have to trade that for an actual pleasant place to live. We'll just show up with our little sad team and let you guys put a woopin' on us.
ReplyDeleteKern at 4.0 is a major case in point that the top Houston teams haven't even always been made up of all Houston players. Inbreeding!
ReplyDeleteright wrong or indifferent. Anyone that has watched sectionals knows that OUTSIDE of Dallas the other cities that are serious put together a ringer team. Dallas is so fragmented that they will never win against a super team wherever they may come from.
ReplyDeleteThis is just fun chatting and complaining but come on facts are facts. The winner will come from wherever who decides to combine everyone in the city and surrounding areas and pick the best of the best and REALISTICALLY they will/should be 5.0
Good luck Rusty it will be tough but hopefully you will advance and represent Dallas well (no I am not sucking up to Branch)
Group Hug ??
ReplyDeleteI've not exactly been a Team Branch fan over the years, but finally think that he and the team have done things the right way this season. They can be really be proud of their accomplishments, and so can Dallas.
ReplyDeleteFrom proper recruiting and self-rating to trying to win all team matches as dominantly as possible with a strong lineup that's not trying to throw matches or manage scores (with the exception of the final DCC match), they've really been on the up-and-up.
Congratulations and best of luck to OC-B at Sectionals!
I'm a Team Branch fan from Houston. I've seen him the last 5 years at Sectionals and he is quite the competitor. With the addition of that guy Kern I'm a little skeptical though. Kern claim to fame is carrying Houston Teams to Victory. Let's see if he can deliver one to Big "D" this year. Looking at OC-Branch results they are as strong as ever.
ReplyDeleteWow - Hell Just Froze Over.
ReplyDeleteI did not think that we would live to see this day. Team Branch being shown a bit of love on this blog.
AR - can we get a second endorsement. We added DP two years ago - you owe us. Atleast join us in the group hug ??
Just carrying Sleezy's bag onto the court and making sure he stays hydrated. I hope the USTA ratings system realizes soon it's all him and not me.
ReplyDeleteIt's because it appears like they largely didn't try to cheat the system this year and just went for it. Other players seem to know when teams haven't been on the up and up.
ReplyDeleteThey'd get even more love here in Dallas if they hadn't relied on picking up those several sorry Ft. Worth players from over the county line!
Hey Rusty or anyone on his team that reads these blogs. I am a fan and want to congratulate you for the first time in a long time for NOT TANKING matches. It is BS that your team is ringers, you all are great players and good people. The only rap against you is that you tank matches to keep ratings.
ReplyDeleteThank you for not tanking ANYTHING this season. Other than tanking matches to keep ratings your team has ALWAYS shown class.
Good luck at sectionals me and my team will be cheering for you.
heavy sucking up...Branch has always tanked and everyone knows it....but who cares...every top team out there knows how to manage their ratings...just move up to the next level and give the rest of us suckers a shot!!
ReplyDelete... or win Sectionals and get the team blown up.
ReplyDeletenot sucking up. They tank matches all the time, just wanted to mention that for the first time EVER they did not tank this season. HATE that they tank matches, it is disrespectful so penalties that come are well deserved. All I am saying is OTHER than tanking matches they are a good group of guys and I always cheer for them in sectionals because I am in dallas
ReplyDeleteAre the schedules posted yet? What is the link? Do you know CoreDawg........
ReplyDeleteI don't believe they are but, as I said, Sectionals certainly isn't my area of expertise. I will post a thread for Sectionals once it comes out.
ReplyDeleteHouston blog has some info on sectionals.
ReplyDeleteYep H Blog has a good write up on the 4.5 sections. I will work on a 4.0 one to look at next week.
ReplyDeleteInterested to see how 3.5 shakes out this week, I have no idea what the other teams look like. I thought the Dallas teams were above average last year and they ended up making the finals, I have a feeling they will both struggle a little but you never know.
Here is the link for the schedules for all levels.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.texas.usta.com/Texas/Global/News/USA%20League%20Tennis/2009/2009_Adult_League_Championships.aspx
How bout a 4.5 sectional update
ReplyDelete