The D.F.O. 2021 3.0 Season Previews are here ... 18+!
After a record-breaking 2020 season, your favorite 3.0ers from around the area are BACK, giving all the 3.0 fans around all of Northeast Ohio what they've come to know and love! You want more shanks? More forehands over the fence? More twisted ankles as they try to run around their backhands? Then boy-howdy, is THIS is the league for YOU!
What follows is the D.F.O.'s well-known* and respected* 3.0 season previews, in which we pour through the stats, analyze the data, and put in so much information that this post is borderline creepy to the point of stalking. When all is said and done - and the restraining orders have been lifted - we present to you our previews of the upcoming seasons, both in 18+ and in 40+. So read on, if you dare! (Read below for 18+ while 40+ can be found here!)
Teams & Rosters Information The following information includes the players, their TennisRecord.Com rating, and all records - 3.0 and above - from 2014 onward, including overall (O), singles (S), and doubles (D) records in all 3.0 matches, league, fusion, playoffs, and tournament combined. Or ... at least attempts to do all that. Who knows. We're not that great at the "math."
Flight 1
Chagrin Valley Athletic Club/Chagrin Valley
Captain - John Fenner (2.21, 0-2S, 3-15D), 0-16 in 2 seasons
2020 Record - 0-8
Roster - Jimmy Heiman (2.76, 2-0S, 3-5D), Roger Lee (2.95, 18-12S, 19-6D), Orlando Dangond (2.44, 0-1S, 2-21D), Paul Olson (2.39, 0-1S, 1-7D), Mike Carroll (2.5S, 0-3S, 2-6D), Carl Parker (2.5S, 0-4D), Michael Dolohanty (2.01, 0-5S, 0-3D), Jeffrey Spencer (2.22, 0-6S, 9-24D), Adam Kohn (2.51, 3-30D)
Free Agent Signings - Mark Seifried (2.5S, 0-2D, Wembley)
Rookies - Steve Poe, Jonathan Sherwin, David Deeter
Preview - Host to many a 3.0 championships, including the recent Midwest NTRP 3.0 Championships, CVAC is truly where champions come to play! As such, Captain John enjoys a home-court pedigree unlike any other as travelling clubs are no doubt awed by the championship venue that is the CVAC home courts. Add in the fact that Captain John can, at a moment's notice, switch his home courts from hard court to clay court, and, well, no wonder the trip to CVAC is so intimidating for those that travel east (or west ... or possibly north ... we aren't quite sure where YOU are travelling from). Aside from the courts, Captain John also has two of the best singles players in the area at his disposal as both Jimmy and Roger have over 20 combined 3.0 singles wins between them! Sprinkle in some fresh rookie additions and CVAC will certainly look to make some 3.0 noise in 2021!
Mayfield Village Racquet Club/Mayfield Village
Captain - Phil King (3.0S, 6-2D), 6-2 in 1 season, 1 Flight Vice-Championship
2020 Record - 6-2, 1-1 in the playoffs
2020 Honors - Flight #1 Vice-Champions, 3rd Place District Finishers
Roster - RJ King (3.0S, 5-2D), John King (3.0S, 0-1S, 5-3D), Rick King the Younger (2.66, 0-3S, 7-7D), Rick King the Elder (3.0S, 0-2S, 3-3D), Christian King (3.0S, 3-4S)
Free Agent Signings - None
Rookies - John J King, Matthew King, Jim King, Augie King
Preview - The Cinderella 3.0 story of 2020, the King's of Mayfield are back, looking to repeat their Vice-Championship from the season prior! And not only are they back, but they're back with more numbers ... and, hard to believe, but even MORE King's! That's right, Captain Phil has even more genetically enhanced 3.0 tennis familial D.N.A. to call upon this season as 3.0 tennis is simply just part of the King Family Tradition! And while the King's may lack in experience they more than make up for that one area of weakness in team (and family) camaraderie, giving them some of the best communication skills in all of northeast Ohio! This high-level of genetic communication, combined with the fact that they all look EXACTLY the same, gives them a huge advantage as they enter season two!
Green Tennis Club/Green
Captain - Rob Gonsor (2.51, 8-23D), 1st season as captain
2020 Record - 2-8
Roster - Chip Bond (2.33, 0-8S, 5-12D), Timothy Griffith (3.0T, 8-7S, 5-3D), David Ginnetti (2.42, 1-12S, 7-14D), Elbert Enrique (2.51, 0-4S, 6-8D), T Bortz (2.75, 1-1S, 7-38D), Jeff Musselman, 3.0S, 3-6D), Robert Dale (2.51, 0-2S, 2-4D)
Free Agents - Jeff Scafaro (3.0S, 0-1D)
Rookies - Mark Ludrosky, Brandon Caster, Neema Yonjan
Preview - Every league has a giant beater, a team the tennis Goliath's fear, and Green is northeast Ohio's version of a 3.0 tennis playing David! Indeed, despite the small squad and despite the limited numbers, Green routinely plays big, and routinely takes down seemingly bigger, deeper, and more experienced clubs during the season. And no wonder, with veterans like Chip and David, and hard-charging youngsters T and Elbert, Green has what it takes to make other squads around them uncomfortable. And with the addition of Timothy, one of the best all-around all-court singles players around, Green got even stronger for this campaign, so look for Green to once again punch above their weight as the season rolls on!
Cleveland Skating Club/Shaker Heights
Captain - Wayne Barry (2.63, 1-0S, 16-23D), 9-9 in 2 seasons
2020 Record - None
Roster - Jacob Glenn (2.77, 19-11S, 9-13D), Nicholas Wille (2.57, 1-3S, 4-11D), Dylan MacLean (2.64, 10-8D), Dave Moore (2.69, 1-5S, 5-4D), Lloyd Bell (2.66, 15-20D), Paul Stroud (2.57, 13-25D), Michael Goldberg (2.73, 4-5D), Brian Moran (2.86, 7-5D), Jack Prause (2.66, 5-10S, 17-15D), Erick Kauffman (2.62, 0-1S, 10-13D), Neema Yonjan (2.70, 3-11D)
Free Agents - Harmin Chima (2.64, 0-4S, 4-13D, Medical Mutual)
Rookies - Patrick Peters
Preview - Returning after a one year absence from the 3.0 playing world, CSC is back and ready to hit the courts. With an experienced leader in Captain Wayne and a standout singles player in Jacob, CSC has what it takes to return to the rough-and-tumble world of 3.0 tennis in style, especially with the help of veteran doubles players Dylan, Lloyd, and Paul. Though it may take a bit to get their 3.0 tennis playing legs under them, it shouldn't take long for a club with as storied a tennis history as CSC to get back to where they belong ... on the courts!
Fairlawn Country Club/Fairlawn
Captain - Michael Hardman (2.54, 8-30D), 6-30 in 4 seasons
2020 Record - 4-6
Roster - Mickey Remen (2.59, 0-2S, 7-29D), Brian Fortney (2.25, 1-2D), Dustin Fox (3.09, 0-1S, 7-8D), Timothy Sheahan (2.70, 6-16D), Donald Albainy (2.22, 0-1S, 2-22D), John Chlebina (2.67, 12-29S, 8-18D), Richard Patterson (2.51, 0-1S, 2-16D), Tom Giltner (2.5S, 4-3D), Douglas Leohr (2.76, 3-4S, 11-17D)
Preview - One of the most exciting teams from the 2020 season returns with most of it's roster intact, looking to improve upon an already impressive 3.0 resume. Gaining valuable experience in what turned out to be the strongest 3.0 Flight in NEO in 2020, youngsters Brian, Dustin, and Tom look to blossom like the 3.0 flowers they are (that's supposed to be a compliment, by the way) now that their tennis careers are entering 2021. Add in the experience of Captain Michael, Mickey, Douglas, and Timothy, and this team has the perfect balance of youth and experience to continue to make them one of the 3.0 team's to watch in 2021!
Western Reserve Racquet Club/Streetsboro
Captain - Christopher Downing (2.89, 14-5D)
2019 Record - 9-1, Flight and District Champions, Midwest Vice-Champion
Roster - Matt Knott (2.47, 0-1S, 3-2D), John Bonham (2.42, 21-40D), Ovidiu Pica (2.61, 0-3S, 13-22D), Horia Pica (N/A, 0-2D), Kurt Sosinski (2.56, 0-1S, 18-31D), Tim Shaw (2.85, 0-1S, 7-4D), Mike Drozda (2.91, 1-1S, 1-3D), Steve Constantino (2.91, 7-8S, 59-45D)
Free Agents - Steven Mowry (N/A, 2-2D, Springside)
Rookies - Bob Berichon, Tony Cici, Mike Oster, Gaby Aoun, Andrew Cornell
Preview - After a season off, WRRC is back and looking to pick up where 2019 left off - on the championship path! And with Captain Chris, a stellar doubles player, look for WRRC to do just that as he and veteran 3.0er Steve look to lead a revamped roster back to the 3.0 glory land. With experience on the doubles courts with John, Ovidiu, and Kurt, combined with one of the largest rookie classes in their Flight, Streetsboro's finest look to have what it takes to make a run in Flight 1!
Flight 1 Predictions
The big question in this first big flight is simply this - is there a team that has the tennis power to knock of the current King's of Flight 1, The King's of MVRC?! Last season's Cinderella team/family, MVRC not only made the playoffs as Flight Vice-Champions, but won the District Consolation Title as well. Not only that, but they were the only squad to actually take down the eventual District Champions during the regular season! WHOA! So clearly, MVRC has almost as much going for them as they have King's on their roster. WHICH IS TO SAY A LOT! However, CVAC has two of the best singles players in the entire flight on their squad while WRRC has the winning pedigree of their 2019 championship run motivating them to victory. Meanwhile, Fairlawn, while raw, gained valuable experience last season, and may blossom into a potential 3.0 powerhouse this season. That being said, CSC and Green enjoy two of the more balanced rosters in the Flight, meaning they may have the week-in and week-out roster flexibility necessary to grind out team victories during the long and and challenging and tedious and always rough-and-tumble 3.0 season. So while the King's of Mayfield may be the pre-season Flight 1 favorites, they best watch their tennis back(hands), for Flight 1 is loaded with challengers looking to take their proverbial (or literal, we're not sure) 3.0 tennis crown!
Flight 2
Paramount Medina/Medina
Captain - Phil Towne (2.51, 0-2S, 12-28D), 8-12 in 2 seasons
2020 Record - 5-5
Roster - Bogdan Nicolae (2.67, 1-7S, 8-5D), David Westphal (3.0S, 0-6D), Matt Hutchison (2.97, 13-10S, 4-4D), Denny Huff (2.69, 2-10S, 52-51D), Dustin Carpenter (2.24, 1-4D), Patrick Renz (2.99, 2-1s, 16-4D), Jonathan Glazer (2.72, 3-5S, 8-5D), Paul Boland (2.5S, 6-5S, 1-1D), Roderick Yamat (2.75, 31-41S, 26-36D), Joseph Eardley (3.0S, 3-8D), Michael Sapp (2.51, 29-42)
Free Agents - None
Rookies - Venkat Rama Varanasi (2.96, 1-1D), Kishore Devarakonda (2.82, 0-2D)
Preview - One of the more talented rosters in the league, Paramount is loaded with star 3.0ers who are also possibly the physically biggest and tallest players in the entire league! On the singles courts, Bogdan, Matt, and Patrick, who's combined tennis-height stands in at approximately 87 feet tall (approximately), bring some of the biggest serves on the tour (yes, it's a tour ... I mean, people are technically touring when they drive around and such, so ... maybe?!), while veteran Roderick not only brings some of the biggest spin to the courts, but the most ever league play 3.0 singles wins as well! Surely some of the aforementioned stars will play doubles, and if they're teamed up with veteran 3.0 doubles player Denny, well, watch out to anyone who dares stand 78' away from them! Thus, with this team's talented core of giant players (quite literally), it's going to be difficult to chop down the mighty 3.0 tennis redwoods that will plant themselves in Medina this season!
Cleveland Racquet Club/Pepper Pike
Captain - Jared Peizet (Rookie)
2019 Record - 4-4
Roster - Leonard Bashkin (2.26, 0-1S, 1-3D), Harmin Chima (2.64, 0-4S, 4-13D), Daniel Bergrin (N/A, 0-2D), Saurin Bhatt (2.61, 0-1S, 2-2D), Corey Roth (2.75, 8-11S, 12-34D), Adam Vertes (2.58, 1-4S, 7-14D), Derron Wrubel (2.82, 0-2S, 25-15D), Yasser Armanazi (2.51, 4-6D), Eric Zalud (3.0S, 2-4D)
Free Agents - None
Rookies - Nikhil Rao, Miles Molyneaux, David Garten, Paul Shand, Gavin Durham, Jeff Gardner
Preview - The youngest team in the league with the largest rookie class in the league, CRC is looking to explore the vast new horizons that is 3.0 tennis! Lead by rookie captain, Captain Jared, CRC may lack overall experience - though the team will be counting on veterans Derron and Corey to show them the 3.0 tennis ropes - but they more than make up for it with their youthful exuberance. Add in one of the best home-court advantages in the league - CRC's dress code where athletes must wear 90% white attire to play - and the formality that is CRC no doubt will put CRC's opponents on their tennis heels!
LaTuchie Tennis Center/Stow
Captain - Jeff Sirak (2.63, 41-34D)
2020 Record - 5-5
Roster - Scott Hovey (2.57, 10-3S, 6-2D), Chris Thompson (2.84, 1-0S, 13-7D), Jeff Sterling (3.00, 90-46D), Alan Eng (2.66, 1-2S, 6-7D), Ronald Thomas (2.87, 3-2S, 51-21D), Timothy Adkins (2.83, 42-41D), Brandon Walch (3.0S, 3-1D)
Free Agents - D.Reddy Vittedi (3.0s, 3-4D, Barrington Club), Erik Wasowski (N/A, 3-10S, None)
Rookies - Eric Bissell, Vincent Yannucci
Preview - Returning one of the best teams from one of the toughest Flights of the 2020 3.0 campaing, LaTuchie looks to improve upon last season's impressive .500 mark. Captain Jeff, a stellar doubles player, isn't alone in doubles acumen, as Jeff, Ronald, and Timothy are all high-caliber 3.0 players who have countless wins next to their names (we tried to count them, but we're not good with the math, so...). With hard serving Scott, one of the best singles players around last season, and intriguing free agent acquisitions D.Reddy and Erik on the team, LaTuchie looks set to improve upon last season's fine performance and shake up their Flight come 2021!
North Canton Racquet Club/North Canton
Captain - Benjamin Young (2.88, 8-38S, 26-30D), 6-4 in 1 season
2020 Record - 6-4, Flight Vice-Champions, District Final Four
Roster - Munir Ahmad (2.93, 12-8S, 42-48D), Michael Curtis (N/A, 2-3D), Timothy Booher (2.98, 1-0S, 11-15D), Edward Steigerwald (2.71, 17-39D)
Free Agents - None
Rookies - Anthony Mazzaferri, Andy Baker (3.31, 2-5D), Edgar Woodward, Skip Dowd, Wayne Stella, Matthew Johnston
Preview - Getting in to the playoffs last season on the final Flight match day, Captain Benjamin's NCRC squad gained valuable 3.0 experience that will no doubt pay dividends this season! At singles, Captain Benjamin can call his own number, as he's one of the most experienced tournament tested 3.0 players around, and that of 2020 standout Munir, who returns after a fantastic 2020 campaign at the 3.0 level. In doubles, Timothy looks to lead the squad and a number of highly prized members of the NCRC rookie class! If Captain Benjamin can squeeze enough playing time out of his relatively small squad, the big question will be should NCRC start printing the "Repeat" t-shirts?!
Wembley Club/Chagrin Falls
Captain - Brandon Bailys (3.0S, 1-2D)
2020 Record - 3-5
Roster - JP Ayyappan (2.58, 3-6S, 53-73D), Kiyotaka Fukamachi (2.51, 3-3S, 7-24D), Patrick Tobler (3.18, 10-3D), Kyle Hulewat (3.0S, 6-4D), Liming Yu (3.0S, 0-1D), Dino Rizza
Free Agents - David Sternberg (2.66, 0-1S, 30-42D, San Fran)
Rookies - David Shisila (3.0S, 2-1D)
Preview - Captain Brandon, in his maiden voyage as team captain, looks to lead one of the more storied clubs around. And while this could no doubt be an intimidating experience, thanks to the leadership of doubles stalwart J.P., Captain Brandon will certainly have a solid right hand man (or left hand ... we aren't quite sure which hand is J.P.'s dominant hand?). Helping to navigate the success on the courts will be veteran Kiyotaka and star newcomer Patrick, who has been taking the 3.0 world by storm. Perhaps the most exciting addition, however, is free agent signing David, hailing all the way from the Left Coast! Will he bring the Wembley Club some 3.0 tennis secrets from a time zone far, far away?!
Mentor Heisley Racquet and Fitness Club/Mentor
Captain - Scott Limestoll (2.70, 0-4S, 5-10D)
2019 Record - 8-0, Flight Champions, District Vice-Champions
Roster - Mike Baird (2.72, 1-0S, 19-10D), Michael Carlisle (2.51, 6-10D), John Olenik (2.82, 11-5S, 5-10D), Shane Kline-Ruminski (2.73, 13-6D), David Frederick (2.51, 23-52D)
Free Agents - None
Rookies - Nicholas Fasola (3.0S, 2-2D), Anthony Lignetta, Mark Casey (2.33, 4-1D), Amgad Elnady (3.0S, 1-1D)
Preview - After a one-year hiatus, MHRFC is back and looking to pick up where they left off - as winners! And with several of the 2019 Flight Championship team's members back, look for them to do just that! One of the best singles players around, John, looks to score major points for the club, while doubles standouts Mike and Shane, look to continue their doubles dominance once again. Add in an exciting rookie class who has already enjoyed some winning ways in 2021, combined with their club having the longest acronym in the entire Flight, and MHRFC looks to have what it takes to make a 3.0 statement in 2021!
Flight 2 Predictions
Possibly the most balanced and competitive 3.0 Flight in all of Northeast Ohio - if not the world! - whoever takes top status here will certainly have earned it! Paramount Medina enjoys the winningest captain, the most depth, are loaded at singles, and enjoy the most 3.0 experience in the entire Flight, but LaTuchie has one of the top singles players in the entire area - nay, world! - and boast some of the winningest doubles players in the D.F.O. coverage area (which is a pretty wide area, from almost Toledo to parts of Youngstown ... we can't get all of Youngstown, but maybe ... someday...). That being said, both squads will have to deal with NCRC, a team that boasts two straight seasons of playoff experience, showing they know only one thing - how to win! OY VEY! And making this Flight all the more unpredictable are the young and hungry CRC, MHRFC, and WC squads, each consisting of a wily veteran - Corey, J.P., and David, respectively - at the helm working with their young 3.0 stewards and showing them the 3.0 way! When all is said and done, look for Paramount Medina and LaTuchie to battle it out on the 78' hard court that is their 3.0 battleground, but don't be surprised if a 3.0 surprise turns out each and every week in what looks to be the most exciting Flight in Northeast Ohio ... and by Northeast Ohio we obviously mean ... THE WORLD!
Flight 3
Force/Rocky River
Captain - Jeremy Benjamin (2.51, 4-11D), 17-18 in 4 seasons, 1 Flight & District Championship
2020 Record - 7-1, 2-0 in the playoffs
2020 Honors - Flight #1 & District Champions
Roster - Andrew Payerl (3.0S, 14-2S, 3-3D), Timothy Chen (2.51, 4-7S, 6-14D), Scott Mellino (2.85, 0-1S, 23-13D), Robert Jurs (2.78, 1-1S, 16-30D), Anthony Kulka (2.65, 17-19D), Mark Pastor (2.51, 2-3S, 11-38D), Adnan Kazazic (2.66, 6-16S, 29-25D), John Prince (3.00, 1-0S, 47-13D), Roger Godin (2.67, 1-2S, 30-24D), James McGlone (2.69, 7-17S, 16-26D), Chris Sorensen (3.0S, 2-2D), Joseph Miksa (2.73, 0-3S, 4-6D), Sreeramesh Kalluri (2.87, 1-0, 18-32)
Free Agent Signings - Travis Haselswerdt (3.00, 59-33, 19-19, Bay)
Rookies - Wael Rached, Harry Bendzuck, Paul Prince
Preview - Last season's all-around champions have a lot going for them as they seek a repeat return to glory. An experienced and organized captain who knows his way around the 3.0 landscape? Check! Captain Jeremy, is the returning D.F.O. Captain of the Year (an award he may have just heard about)! Singles players? Check! Andrew was not only D.F.O. Rookie of the Year last season, but D.F.O. Singles Player of the Year as well (also awards that were just made up at this very instant)! Add in Roger and James, and there's even more singles talent to choose from (and more Canadians, eh). Doubles players? Check! D.F.O. Doubles Players of the Year (not made up, but made up by us), John and Scott, return to defend their team and individual titles! Combined with Adnan, who simple doesn't know the meaning of the word "lose" (which actually may be true), and Force is stacked here as well. Finally, does Force have Free agent signings sure to disappoint? Check! Captain Jeremy shrewdly signed one of the least sought-after Free Agents of 2021, Travis, who also happens to be one of the most self-aggrandizing and self-promoting players of 2021. Leaving Team Bay to join Force in a pathetic attempt at chasing glory, Travis looks to be the Charles Barkley/Karl Malone out-of-shape veteran looking to gain from the work of others. Thus, with a stacked roster, veteran leadership, team championship experience, and tons of Canadians, Force is looking like a solid pick for a repeat trip to 3.0 playoffs!
Bay/Bay Village
Captain - Mark Jeffers (2.51, 0-3S, 9-62D), 16-26 in 5 seasons, 1 Flight Championship
2020 Record - 4-4
Roster - David Karam (2.26, 0-1S, 3-12D), Erik Overberger (2.79, 8-20S, 13-39D), Charlie Post (2.88, 0-1S, 16-47D), Ben Shaw (2.5S, 1-3D), Tom Mullee (2.79, 1-3S, 7-23D), Brian Chambers (2.64, 0-3S, 12-10D), Tony Slabicki (2.51, 6-8D), James Leo (2.76, 0-1S, 7-29D)
Free Agent Signings - Michael Elliot (2.64, 1-3S, 12-11D, Avon Oaks), Ted Macfarlane (2.62, 12-19D, Avon Oaks)
Rookies - Jeff Huber, Dietrich Schelzig, Greg Ernst, Patrick Murray, Nathan Chavez, Kirk Kapusta
Preview - With the winningest captain in Bay 3.0 history, Captain Mark, making his return to captaining duties after a five-year absence, you can expect the Bay crew to be ready to roll come opening day! Indeed, Mark, a Bay 3.0 legend, led the first ever 3.0 Bay team ever, the 2010 squad, to its first - and to date, only! - Flight Championship, so you know he's got the leadership moxy needed to make a run in the Flight! With several grizzled 3.0 veterans at his disposal, including singles standout Erik and one of the best doubles tandems of 2020, Brian and Tony, as well as wily 3.0 veterans Charlie and Tom, Captain Mark has the tennis arrows in his tennis quiver to do just that. Add in the exciting depth of one of the largest rookie classes in the league and some sweet free agent signings, combined with the always difficult confines of Bradley Courts, the only outdoor courts in the entire WORLD, and Bay no doubt looks to make some noise in 2021!
Towpath Tennis Center/Akron
Captain - Frank Licari (3.00, 18-30S, 96-93D), 54-57 in 12 seasons, 2 Flight Championships, 2 Flight Vice-Championships, and 2 District Vice-Championships
2020 Record - 8-2, 1-1 in the playoffs
2020 Honors - Flight #2 Champions, District Vice-Champions
Roster - John Consilio (2.79, 4-4S, 66-47D), Bryan Dudiwka (2.51, 1-2S, 22-42D), Craig Warner (2.84, 4-1S, 98-49D), Renier Soto (2.34, 1-4S, 2-5D), David Maurer (3.24, 1-2S, 4-6D), Tim Trombetta (2.62, 0-1S, 4-17D), Jason Dzik (2.93, 14-6S, 8-13D), Jeff Magistrelli (2.89, 0-1S, 11-9D), Mike Devine (3.0S, 0-1S, 6-7D)
Free Agents - Brian Piazza (2.89, 0-1S, 6-7D, CC)
Rookies - Scott Kessler, Chris Manby, Brad Sakowicz, Corey Morrill, Mark Robeson, Jack Morrill
Preview - One of the legendary clubs in all of northeast Ohio, Towpath is a combination of the LA Lakers, the NY Yankees, and the NE Patriots (we're sure you don't know those teams as they are from much smaller leagues than this 3.0 league, but feel free to Google their names and they may - may - pop up on the interweb) - they not only win, but they've been winning for decades! And no wonder, as Captain Frank is one of the legendary 3.0 captains of any 3.0 era, leading his various squads to well over 50 team wins. Not only that, but Frank is one of the most decorated 3.0 players in 3.0 history, and can bring his skills to both the singles and the doubles courts. Speaking of skills on the doubles courts, that's exactly what John and Craig bring night in and night out (or Monday nights, specifically, as that's when this league takes place). With one of the biggest rookie classes in the league, look for Captain Frank to guide his young stewards to 3.0 success as Towpath looks to continue it's historic 3.0 tradition!
Paramount Westlake/Westlake
Captain - Ryan Kowalski (2.89, 14-8S, 12-14D)
2019 Record - 6-4 and 1-9 (they had TWO teams!)
Roster - Dale Bilczo (2.52, 0-3S, 13-17D), John Keller (2.84, 10-12S, 33-31D), David Fechter (2.93, 0-1S, 6-6D), Derek Reid (2.51, 0-5S, 2-11D), Peter Bitounis (2.74, 11-19D), Doug Michelsen (3.0S, 1-0D), Brian Greenfield (3.0S, 0-2D), Jeff Hall (2.69, 0-1S, 15-10D)
Free Agents - None
Rookies - Ryan Ashdown, Chuck Andes, Siddharth Dugar
Preview - Captain Ryan, one of the best singles players in the area, looks to lead Paramount Westlake back to tennis glory after the club's one-year absence in 2020. Helping him chase said glory are a number of fine players, including the all-around singles and doubles talent that is John! When it comes to doubles, Captain Ryan has a number of quality players to choose from, including Dale, David, Peter, and Jeff. Incorporating rookies Ryan and Chuck will be key, but if anyone can get the best out of the squad, it's no doubt Captain Ryan!
Springside Athletic Club/Akron
Captain - David Benson (2.61, 11-17D)
2020 Record - None
Roster - George Roth (3.23, 4-7S, 9-19D), Gregory Blatnik (2.79, 0-4S, 18-33D), Jack Marsillo (2.05, 3-9D), Creighton Joyce (3.26, 1-3S, 4-5D), Thomas Whitehead (2.70, 11-9D)
Free Agents - James Jones (3.0, 15-23D, Paramount Medina)
Rookies - David Firestine, Rick Jones, Kyle Benson, Raymond Habel, Earl Hamlin, David Nemchik (2.52, 0-1D)
Preview - Springside looks to get back in the 3.0 tennis game after a few seasons of respite. And while SAC may have the smallest roster in the Flight, what they lack in numbers they'll no doubt make up for in court coverage and court experience, as the nine-member strong crew will get more court experience than any other team in the league! Look for tournament tested George to lead SAC on the court while free agent signee James is the perfect addition for this club's 3.0 resurgence!
Flight 3 Predictions
While the smallest in terms of total clubs, Flight 3 makes up for it in terms of championship caliber. Indeed, Force, last season's Flight and District Champions, look to make a return trip to the playoffs as they return their entire roster from their 2020 Season of Dreams, the single most impressive championship run in the history of Cleveland. End of story. Thanks to their experience (two straight years in the playoffs), their depth (the largest roster in the 3.0 world), and their roster flexibility (singles, doubles, and possibly triples players everywhere), Force looks poised to repeat their fantastic 2020 season. However, standing in their way is the historic Towpath team, a team that has more 3.0 banners than any other, and a team that captained by a sure-fire future D.F.O. 3.0 Hall of Famer! As such, Towpath will no doubt have the tactical know-how necessary to challenge the presumptive Flight favorites throughout the season! BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE! Also standing in Force's way are Paramount Westlake and Bay, two resurgent squads who know the strengths and weaknesses of their Rocky River rivals like no other (or like one another? hmmmm?). And just when you thought it couldn't get any juicier, add in a few of these ingredients - Force and Towpath faced off against one another in the District Championships last season, meaning their matchups will be all the more exciting this season, and former beloved* Bay player Travis has crossed city lines to sign with Force, making those matchups all the more dramatic and intense as well!
Flight Previews and Predictions
With so many teams and so many players and so many Flights, is it possible to predict season outcomes.
No!
Which is why we'll try to do just that!
If our bold A-1 Steak Sauce-like predictions come to fruition, look for MVRC, Paramount Medina, and Force to lead their respective Flights all the way to 3.0 Flight glory, complete with the enormous victory parades Mayfield, Medina, and Rocky River have become accustomed to (which we're sure are pretty amazing and look exactly like the adjoining photo). The question, then, comes down to which other well-deserving club would enter the playoff picture. Actually, there are two questions - are there even four teams in the playoffs? Or ... are there playoffs at all? Come to think of it, there are a lot more questions than answers. Which means we've completed this paragraph. You're welcome!
Matches to Watch
Schedule some family time for these must-see viewing opportunities!
Week 1 - 5/10 - All of them ... it's opening week!
Week 2 - 5/17 - Force v. Towpath ... a rematch of last season's 18+ District Championship finals! BOY HOWDY!
Week 3 - 5/24 - Towpath v. Springside ... Akron v. Akron, it's a Civil Tennis War of epic 3.0 proportions!
Week 4 - 6/7 - Force v. Bay ... look for high tennis drama as, Travis, a former long-time member of Bay returns to his former club for the first time since he bolted to Rocky River!
Week 5 - 6/14 - LaTuchie v. NCRC ... two teams who locked tennis horns last year return to the 78' concrete jungle to once again go the 3.0 tennis version of mano y mano!
Week 6 - 6/21 - Green v. WRRC ... renowned giant killers Green host one of the most successful clubs in recent memory ... what will the memory be of this showdown?!
Week 7 - 6/28 - Paramount Westlake v. Bay ... these two local rivals go at it in a tennis rivalry that started back in 1901 when Bay split from Westlake. IT STILL HURTS!
Week 8 - 7/12 - NCRC v. Paramount Medina ... the final matchday of 2020, NCRC knocked Medina out of a playoff spot. REVENGE?! (ehh, probably not, but...maybe?! Probably...no..)
Week 9 - 7/17 - The beginning of the double week! That's right, TWO matches in the space of only three days! It's like March Madness, only without the "March" (or the madness)!
Week 10 - 7/19 - The final week with playoffs, pride, and parades on the line!
Players to Watch
Roger (CVAC) - one of the best singles players in the area, he's looking to notch singles win number 20!
The Kings (MVRC) - yes, every one of them. There might be nine of them on the roster, but good luck telling them apart as they all look exactly 100% the identically the same.
Timothy (Green) - one of the best singles players on the tour (yes, there's a 3.0 tour ... sorta), Timothy looks to give the grind that is 3.0 league play a go in 2021!
Jacob (CSC) - another great player of the singles game, Jacob's next singles victory will also give him 20 for his career!
Dustin (Fairlawn) - because this website could use some positive name recognition.
Steve (WRRC) - his next doubles win will give him 60 total tag-team wins for his career!
Roderick (PM) - as one of the most accomplished singles players of his era, Roderick is a sure fire Hall of 3.0 Famer and is just looking to add to his already impressive list of accomplishments!
Jared (CSC) - a rookie captain and a rookie 3.0er in the same season is as impressive of a double as exists!
Scott (LaTuchie) - only four victories shy of career milestone win number 20, hard hitting Scott seems like a shoe in for some post-season 3.0 accolades!
Benjamin (NCRC) - can one of the best tournament players around navigate his squad to a third straight playoff appearance??
David (Wembley) - a West Coaster, what kind of magic 3.0 tennis skills will this former San Fran player bring to another coast? THE NORTH COAST!
Scott (MHRFC) - another newbie captain, can Scott repeat MHRFC's undefeated 2019 campaign? NO PRESSURE!
Travis (Force) - will the former Bay player and Force free agent signee bring last season's championship team down to his level? (hint: yes)
Mark (Bay) - the return of the greatest Captain in Bay 3.0 history, Mark looks to extend his club record win and appearance total!
Frank (Towpath) - one of the greatest Captains of all 3.0 time could enter even more rarified 3.0 air as he's but six team wins away from 60! WHICH WE THINK IS A RECORD!
Ryan (PW) - the Captain is only four victories away from reaching 40 for his entire total tennis career!
George (SAC) - one match away from 30 for his career, this tournament tested veteran of the 3.0 courts looks to lead his young squad on matchday!
A note ... this is all meant to be tongue-in-cheek and taken with enormous grains of salt. If any of this is offensive or irritating in any way, please let us know and we'll remove any names, claims, or ridiculousness. Good luck this season to all involved and can't wait to see you on the courts (and hopefully not in court!).
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