4.0 QT Tourney

I want to make sure Alex and Eddie have a good 4th of July weekend so I thought I would go ahead and breakdown the QT Tourney that starts next weekend.

Teams:
#1 Seed: Lifetime (Team Eddie)
Returns again to the playoffs touting they are the "best" and based on seedings they are, so the DTA has decided to forego the matches and award them a trip to the DCC. But then Andre was DQ'ed and they decided to make them play it out. They do boast an impressive roster as they did in the Fall now with a rejuvenated Myers and improved Mudsam. New recruits like Studey, Gonzalez, Shahab, McAfee and Moore will need to contribute because temps should be hovering at 100 degrees and Brandon most likely cannot play 4 singles matches since his opponents will be much stronger than the early rounds of the East Texas MZ. I am guessing Hill and Studey will anchor some other singles lineups and that is where it might get tricky. They are the favorite to advance but then again weren't they the favorite to win the Fall and we all know how that turned out.

#2 Seed: HP/Bazan (SWAT)
I didn't even realize we were the #2 seed, our season has not gone as planned with some setbacks and injuries along with the way. I am proud how my guys escaped at the Lakes and then after a tough loss at Brookhaven turned up the heat to finish strong. After getting beaten by Bob in the Fall I realized we needed to get deeper and we did but unfortunately I feel I could always use more. We relied heavily on singles in the Fall and now I think our team has actually become stronger in doubles and our singles crew has grown with Victor and Mark Carter being added to that part of our team. I am confident we will do well next weekend but I am not making any insane predictions. I know there will be 4 tough opponents in front of us but I feel we are a team peaking at the right time.

#3 Seed: Oak Creek/Smith
This team was a sleeper in the Fall playoffs but there are no secrets this time around, they have very solid doubles play and singles play that can scratch out victories when needed. The addition of Campbell was big as well as Myrick. Galnares has had mixed results as a new singles player and got double bageled in the season finale v. Lifetime. The rest of the crew returns from the Fall. The roster size of 12 seems small but all 12 should play although I am guessing some players like Webb and Barnhard may have to help out at singles which will leave some gaps that players like Galnares and Kelley cannot fill. While I can't call them the favorite I am all but certain if one the "favs" falters it will be because this team stepped up and took them down.

#4 Seed: Brookhaven/Bartlett
Our team knows firsthand not to overlook this team. They may have stumbled hard against Garland but so did most other teams this season. Don Buford will be a huge key, just how many matches can he play for them. They have a bye Friday night so that means he would have to play two back to backs. Past Don the singles options start to get questionable with Moore, Archer, Deutch and Lazzara. Archer is probably their best 2nd option but yet again he would have to play four times. Moore is someone who is not your normal singles player and his playing style might actually be good for the heat since he either aces you or double faults. Doubles are the strength but they are little thinner than years past and at this level since Buford is not a guarantee as he is most weeks I am not sure I like their chances to win 4 matches.

#5 Seed: Village/Johnson
This is the surprise team for sure but I for one am not shocked because looking at their roster compared to LBH/Hicks this team was just better and I am glad they have joined the QT dance. With that said now we have to play them on opening night. For them it will start with John Vacalis who has never lost a singles match in league or tourney play. Yep you heard me right and he took out Renwick (2 and 2) He is a force to be reckon with and by the way they guy doesn't lose at doubles either. Along with him they tout some good doubles players like Burt, Gregory, Smith, Deitrick and Sestak. Bebb and Montgomery are not too bad themselves although not quite to the level of the previous ones listed. My only apprehension in putting them high on the list is their lack of playoff experience and the fact that after this top 8 they drop off considerably. The rest of the roster are good 4.0s but not playoff caliber and in round robin play you need some bench strength. They do still have a shot at scoring some upsets and most of these guys are young so who knows maybe they will just play all the matches.


Friday night @ LB Houston-8 PM
Lifetime v. OC
SWAT v. Village

Sat 9 AM @ Brookhaven
Brookhaven v. SWAT
OC v. Village

Sat 1PM @ Greenhill
Village v. Lifetime
Brookhaven v. OC

Sun 11a @ Northwood
Lifetime v. Brookhaven
OC v. SWAT

Sun 3p @ Brookhaven
SWAT v. Lifetime
Village v. Brookhaven

Odds:
Lifetime: EVEN
SWAT: 3 to 1
OC: 6 to 1
Village: 12 to 1
Brookhaven: 15 to 1

I am looking forward to a good weekend of tennis, see you all then.