Our local newspaper has a tennis blog which covered the USTA Eastern Sectionals Championships this past weekend.  The posts were about the disappointing showings of all the teams in my Region.  Here was my response which sums up how things went: 

 I just returned from Sectionals as part of the Women’s 3.0 team. Yes, we finished dead last with a 0-5 record but that doesn’t tell the whole story. This team finished near the bottom of its region in 2009 but this year, we tied for 1st and won both of our playoffs and then won at regionals. Our team does not have a coach nor do we have organized team practices due to work schedules and geography. We all just play socially throughout the year at different facilities. Of the 13 women on our team, there is one almost 50 yr old, 7 women in their 50’s and 5 women in their 60’s. At Sectionals, we repeatedly competed against women at least 20 years younger, who belonged to the same club, had a coach and practiced together weekly throughout the season. Although, we didn’t win, if you ask anyone at Sectionals, there was NOT a more enthusiastic, motivated, optimistic, kinder, more generous bunch of women. I felt privileged to be a part of this last place team. 

Now for the play by play/day by day commentary: 

Thursday – The 13 of us arrived in groups by car at dffering times to the Sheraton hotel in Syracuse.  The team captains had a meeting followed by a individual team meeting to give out the next day’s lineups.  My group left last because some of us worked and we stopped in Utica for dinner. I learned when I arrived that we would play on Friday at Syracuse U at 10:30 am and Nottingham HS at 1:30 pm.  I was to play singles (holy cow!) at 1:30. 

Friday – We got up around 7 am and headed for Starbucks across the street. 

Pat, Catalina & Susan

Although I wasn’t going to be playing, I went to Syracuse U to watch the others. 

Patti, Donna, Nancy & Julia

 Imagine the shock when they announced my name for 2nd singles.  Apparently my captain handed in the wrong lineup and the afternoon group had to play in the morning!!! My racket was in the car parked far away.  Luckily I got it in time. 

my first match

We played Western.  Julia won at 1st singles, Phyllis & Annie won at 2nd doubles but everyone else lost. My singles match was against a very tough opponent.  After I got over the lst set jitters, I felt I played my best, long rallies and lots of deuce games –just no game wins 😦 

We then to the HS where the team played LI.  This team was even younger and tougher.  Julia won again at lst singles but everyone else lost!! 

Annie at 2nd doubles

Back at the hotel, we went to a USTA sponsored cocktail party –lots of raffle prizes but only 1 on our team won – an umbrella! 

all of our team (-Julia) at the party

Some of the team went out to dinner, some of us just got a snack and played Mah Jongg for the rest of the evening. 

Catalina, Fran from USTA, Phyllis & me

Saturday – we started the day again with a Starbucks breakfast.  We were scheduled at the HS at 9:30am and then Syracuse U at 12:30.  I was playing doubles at 12:30 and I knew Phyllis would be more careful about the lineups. 

The morning match was against Southern – as it turned out – THE BEST TEAM.  We lost all 5 matches even Julia, our star lost!! 

Julia at singles

In the afternoon, we played against NJ.  Julia played a grueling match but won and everyone else lost – a familiar pattern.  I played with Catalina who unfortunately did not play well and I couldn’t compensate though I felt I did not play badly.

me playing doubles on Saturday

Susan, Catalina & me after our match

We lamented our losses in the hot tub, then  at the bar and finally, at a wonderful dinner (paid for by USTA). 

top-Annie, Patti, Pat, bottom -Donna, me, Laurie

MaryPat

Sunday – our last day and our team out of contention, for sure, so we had breakfast at the hotel and checked out.  It was raining and  the matches were scheduled in one of the 6 local indoor facilities. 

Julia who played all 4 matches so far at singles wanted to play doubles so guess who volunteered to play singles – Yes, MOI!! 

The singles matches against Metro were supposed to start at 10:30am and the doubles at 12:00.  However, they all started around 11 am. My match was my most enjoyable of the weekend.  I didn’t win but I played really well.  My opponent was young, of course, but so sweet and complimentary.  Julia & Phyllis won in a 3rd set tie-breaker and the rest ended up  losing close matches. 

Catalina & MaryPat playing indoors

 We took a team photo…

Celebrating the end of our season

our team

 and then headed home in the POURING rain.  My group stopped in Utica for an Italian dinner. 

And so it goes….. 

I’m taking time off from running obviously.  I haven’t run since last Tuesday.  I may run Wed, Thurs and/or Fri but I won’t do a 5K race this Saturday. Next week, I’ll go back to a normal busy scheduled with running squeezed in and a 5k in Saratoga on Sept 4. 

Happy Running!