First off...what on earth happened to this tropical storm?! Not that we are complaining...we actually completed all but ONE match of the mixed event today! Sunshine was available all day!
Matches begun this morning with Armstrong/Nelthropp taking on the ever smiling Team Elizee. Once again, great to see LaToya back on the tennis scene again. The #1 team proved to be too strong and Armstong/Nelthropp take the match 6-1, 6-1. From what I saw, this score was not indicitive of the quality of the match. Every time I looked over there was a great display of shot making.
On court 2 was the #2 seeded team of Dynel Soto and Kris Elien. Their opponents were Lisa Adam and Greg James. Despite a good effort by Greg to take as many balls as he could (deja vu?!)...Dynel and Kris were just too strong, winning the match 6-1, 6-0.
Court 3 was a battle of who was going to take the net. Al Baptiste or Michael Armendariz? Patsy Knight and Al took on Michael and Debbie Woodson. Al known for his presence at the net took every opportunity he could to dominate but they came short in the first set losing 6-4 to Debbie and Michael. Debbie and Michael take the next set 6-0, in a set closer than the score says...sending them to the final in the afternoon.
Waiting for a spot in the final were team Kuipers against Barbara Robbins and Marcel Galiber. This was a fun match to watch as the crowd challenged Marcel to take on the youngster in a fun spirited display of some really great shot making by all four players. Kuipers score the early break and ran with the first set taking it by a score of 6-3. Using the momentum from the first set they went up 3-0 in the second set. But Marcel and Barbara rallied back to tie it up. Leading once again at 5-3, Marcel and Barbara rally yet again to tie things at 5-5. Kuipers dem win the next 2 games and win 7-5 sending them in the the B finals versus Debbie Woodson and Michael Armendariz.
Later in the day, semi finals for A mixed began. First up, was team Motoodle making a challenge to the #1 team of Susan Armstrong and Christian Nelthropp. With a vocal crowd watching, fans were treated to some nice shot making by all the players. A valiant effort by Karen and Kevin, the #1 seeds take the match by a score of 6-2, 6-2. The other semi final was Dynel Soto and Kris Elien taking on the big winners from the night before, Fennella Cooper and Stan Myrie-G. Another youth versus experience battle, the first set was just that...a battle! Kris and Dynel take the first set in a tiebrake. Second set, although closer than the score indicated, Dynel and Kris take the set at 6-0 setting up a final between the two top seeds. They meet up on Monday night at 7:30...you don't wanna miss this one!
Mixed B finals begin. Having beaten some good teams along the way, team Kuipers came out confident and poised against the #1 seeds of Woodson and Armendariz. A crucial break in the eighth game had Debbie serving for the first set at 5-30, 40-0. Kuipers rallied back to break and win the next three games taking the first set 7-5. A determind Debbie and Michael come out swinging in the next set taking it by a score of 6-3. Third set! Both determined teams, Debbie and Michael go up an break early but Kuipers dem take the next two games! Four all, Michael and Debbie break them, Debbie serving for the match again at 5-4, 40-0. An extremely poised Alec literally wins the next three points to take it to deuce. Battling back and forth before a VERY vocal crowd, with cheers of "Lets go, Alec!" and "Nice shot, Maria!" (Maria? Did we hear that right?!). Four deuces later, Debbie and Michael pull it out taking the set 6-4 and winning the match. I can go on and on about the Kuipers, but Alec and Kelly played inspired tennis and Alec had a super run taking out some VERY good teams. Solid play, smart playing, and polite, Alec is a real joy to watch and play against. You gotta love this kid!
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