On Saturday, October 4, Team Tennis may have had it's last hurrah at the Downey Tennis Club! The season ended with the Strawberries winning the overall championship by winning a Men's Doubles match against the Mangos, 6-4, and followed with a victory in a Mixed Doubles tie-breaker over the Kiwis, 10-7. The Kiwis beat the Figs in a Mixed Doubles tie-breaker, 10-4, to take the runner-up position in the standings. The Apples ended the season by defeating the Figs, 7-5, in a Mixed Doubles match. Under pressure, the Strawberries proved that their legacy may not come from just the talent of Bernice Stumps, Jose Hong and Roy Aguilar but, rather, their spirit of team play. As a threesome, they were present at every match the schedule called for. This writer is not bitter, just disappointed. Those who played during the inaugural season played and fought hard to win, those who were not present--although they alluded to play--shunned their teammates (fellow members) and tinted the spirit of competition for reasons of their own. This first season was to be a test, resulting in any number of ways to improve the concept of team tennis, which the USTA gladly supports. It failed! It cost nothin' except the premium on patience, steadiness and stamina. It could have been a symbol of skill and sportsmanship. Instead it continued the current tradition of the Club membership with little to sacrifice and little enjoyment in the sport. I recall a team member who once stated, "let's just have fun." So, when does the fun begin? Thanks to the women of Team Tennis: Charlotte Hansen, Jean Jones and Bernice Stumps. They were always ready to play not just for their team, but for any other team that was in need. To the men who carried the season: Lal Matai, Dave Hanker, Roy Aguilar and Jose Hong. Aaron Kleinman, Team Tennis Director p.s. Note: Final standings/scores below. |
TEAMS |
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FINAL STANDINGS! |
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#3 = 7 games
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4th = 4 games |
#5 = 3 games
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#2 = 9
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1st Place = 10
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"Apples" Team 1 |
"Figs" Team 2 |
"Mangos" Team 3 |
"Kiwis" Team 4 |
"Strawberries" Team 5 |
Karl Ketterer |
Andy Vivirito |
Dave Hanker |
Art Banuelus |
Roy Aguilar |
Lal Matai |
Pedro Cantoran |
Aaron Kleinman |
Carl Loza |
Jose Hong |
Charlotte Hansen |
Delores Passi |
Christine Yap |
Jean Jones |
Bernice Stumps |
ALTERNATES |
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Men |
Women |
Bernie Erickson |
Shirley Adams |
Michael Murray |
Carolyn Castillo |
SCHEDULE
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June
21
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July
5
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July
19
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August
2
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August
9
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Team 1 vs 2
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Team 2 vs 5
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Team 1 vs 5
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Team 1 vs 3
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Team 1 vs 4
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Team 3 vs 4
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Team 3 vs 5
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Team 2 vs 3
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Team 4 vs 5
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Team 2 vs 4
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RULES & FORMAT |
| 1) Each match will consist of one set and one 10-point tiebreaker (first to 10 points by 2 points). |
| 2) Matches will consist of a Men's Doubles match plus a Mixed Doubles match. |
| 3) If a team cannot play a mixed doubles match, a second men's
double match can be played with the winner to be credited with a half point to its standings. |
| 4) Each team is to bring two cans of balls -- the winning team to keep the new balls. |
| 5) At the conclusion of this program, the 1st and 2nd finishers will have a championship playoff. TBD. |
| 6) Championship playoff to consist of 2-out-of-3-set Men's Doubles
and a 2-out-of-3-set
Mixed Doubles. |
| 7) Regular scoring matches. |
| 8) Courts 1 and 2 to be reserved by the Team Tennis Director - Aaron Kleinman. |
| 9) Please confirm your attendance by calling Aaron @ 323-855-7219, or
via email (see above). |
| 10) Please refer to your DTC Directory for participants' phone numbers. |