Midwest is First ... scheduled match of U.S.T.A. Nationals ... and then finishes 8th!
Rocky River's beloved Force takes 8th at Nationals, making it clear that when it comes to the lowest level of tennis imaginable, they're one of the best at bad tennis in the entire country! If not the world! IF NOT THE GALAXY!
Quick Links
Day Two - Leaving Las Vegas ... and Texas ... and Oklahoma
Epilogue - The Greatest Team Ever?!
Introduction
The first weekend of October saw the last 3.0 playoff play of 2021 as the 3.0 playoff season came to a rousing and exciting - and in some cases if you were sitting on a hill behind the courts at the wrong time - a loud and raucous end! Indeed, as the best of the 3.0 best gathered in the middle of the tennis universe (Oklahoma City, obviously) representing their various clubs, states, and regional sections in a variety of rainbow colors that only Marshawn Lynch could appreciate, each and every club was vying to be proclaimed REC LEAGUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF AMERICA!
So who won, who lost, and who was given a Sportsmanship Pin (which turned out to be the biggest prize most of these players could hope to achieve)?
Well, good news, bad news dear reader.
The bad is that since the D.F.O. is focused solely, primarily, and only on Ohio teams and players, the only coverage you're going to get is on said Ohio teams and players, which means all Force, all the time! (Which, if you don't like Force, well, one, that's sad, and two, the rest of this blog probably won't interest you at all ... although Team Dayton's 40+ team is competing the third week of October, so maybe you hopped on here expecting a review of that team? ... If that's the case, that's still hurtful, but we get it ... but you'll just have to wait!).
The good news is that since this was such a major happening in such a destination location (OKC!), we at D.F.O. spared no expenses (which is easy because we don't have an expense account) and flew in the entire D.F.O. reporting team to tropical OKC to ensure that our coverage of Nationals would be as good as possible. And, if we may brag, let us just say that our coverage turned out to be exactly that - as good as possible...
Prologue - Location, Teams, Format, and Favorites
As everyone who follows the lowest level of rec league tennis knows, the U.S.T.A. has broken the United States into 17 sections, very similar to how the U.S.A. was broken up during the Civil War (our D.F.O. Historian is confirming that statement, but it sounds accurate). The 17 sectional winners were then invited to what can only be called a bucket-list location, Oklahoma City, a location that is quite appropriate as most historians agree that tennis was first invented in that very state (our D.F.O. Historian did not return our call to confirm that statement, which probably means it's accurate...).
Furthermore, each section was given a different color not only to represent section pride, but also as a form of identification when checking in for one's match (and while some may ask, "Shouldn't the officials check actual I.D.'s rather than simply a random color to ensure someone is who they say they are?" we simply say this event was the most well-run* event of all-time, so who are you to question the organizational skills* of such a well-respected* organization like the U.S.T.A.? FOR SHAME!).
Sadly, not all 17 sections were able to attend, in part because the Color Wars were taken literally as Pacific Northwest invaded and conquered Hawaii while in the case of Southern California the So Cal players were too busy trying to deal with the fact that per the U.S.T.A. map, Alaska had replaced Mexico as their southern neighbor (who knew continental drift would happen so quickly?).
As such, 15 of the best 3.0 teams in the nation descended upon the tennis mecca that is Oklahoma City, vying for 3.0 greatness! But to do so, the 15 teams would have to play a random round robin (that was more like an oval than round as there were no real brackets other than random match-ups) with the four best teams making the finals.
So who were the favorites to make it to the finals? Well, thanks to the fantastic work of https://computerratings.blogspot.com/ (which is an actual website and is quite amazing at predicting such things), it turns out that the favorites were in fact Texas, Intermountain, NorCal, Caribbean, and Southern. Which was great for them!
But not for Force. For, as it turns out, Force, is located in Ohio, and Ohio isn't actually in any of those sections. WHO KNEW?!
Not only that, but two of the top rated teams - in fact, the two top rated teams - were on Force's schedule. Yikes. And making matters worse, Force was projected to finished towards the bottom of the standings with a 41% chance of finishing at 1-3 and only a 33% chance of finishing 2-2. Which mean there was a 59% chance of finishing 0-4! OY VEY!
But, if there's one thing Force is good at, it's not paying attention to predictions (or schedules, or deadlines, or social customs) ... so could they shock the 3.0 world?!
Day One - New England, New York, and New Records
Not surprisingly, Team Midwest would help start the event as they were the marquee (i.e., only) match on Friday (morning), helping to open the festivities with an opening match that took place under the bright lights of the ritzy Oklahoma Tennis Center (which, no lie, was quite an amazing facility). And the reason for the bright lights wasn't because it was a Friday evening match but rather, because of potential weather issues, an early Friday morning 7am match. Which was perfect for Team Midwest as most of their flights had arrived to the bustling OKC Airport around ... midnight. Be that as it may, Team Midwest Captain Jeremy had his crew ready, and most of them even showed up almost on time and almost to the right facility, showing just how serious they were taking this event.
An actual video of Force's John measuring the tennis courts to show his teammates they had nothing to be intimidated by before their opening U.S.T.A. Nationals match.
Unfortunately for Midwest, though, Team New England was also taking this seriously, and their matching shirts and choreographed warm-up routine and their whole roster showing up on time showed to all who dared attend a 7am tennis match that they meant business. In awe of both their opponents and the facility, Team Midwest was no doubt intimidated, but veteran Force 3.0er John immediately put the team at ease by having his teammates take to the courts and showing them that these courts were in fact no different than any other courts. Then they started hitting actual tennis balls on said courts and realized that these courts were in fact no different than any other courts. And then they started shanking their shots on said courts and realized that these courts were in fact no different than any other courts! And just like that, the players from Ohio were back in the mental game!
Not surprisingly, the doubles dream team of Roger and Adam, the official poster duo of USTA NEO, got Team Midwest on the scoreboard first as they enjoyed a 0 & 1 victory to notch their second tag team victory in but three tries, taking down their opponents with Adam's strong forehand, Roger's blistering backhand, and both of their devastatingly handsome good looks to notch the first official victory of the 2021 event. New England immediately tied the match up, though, for on Court One, Wael fell to the consistently deep shots of his opponent, but not to be outdone in earning tournament firsts, he earned the first tasty "breadstick" of the tournament!
Anthony and Ado, quickly answered back, teaming up for only the second time since they clinched the State Championships Championship for the team way back in August. Getting off to a fast start at #3 doubles, the pair stymied a spirited New England comeback as The A-Team (as they like to be called) used their dizzy'ing array of Balkan play to thwart said comeback, giving Team Midwest a 2-1 advantage.
Adam and Roger, the official cover boys of 3.0 tennis.
New England, though, wasn't about to just give in, and indeed, at #1 doubles and #2 singles, they gave as good as they got, with Maine's Brett taking the first set in singles and going up 2-0 in the second against pusher extraordinaire Travis as he frustrated the lavender polo'd player so much that the Ohioan was forced to resort to his ultimate weapon - engaging in conversation - to push the match to a deciding third set SUPER TIE-BREAK. Meanwhile, despite falling behind early, New England's #1 player, Joel, rallied to push his #1 doubles match to a deciding third set SUPER TIE-BREAK as well, his versus the heretofore 16-2 combo of Jim and John, one of the strongest doubles tandems in the entire event. Thus, the third set SUPER TIE-BREAK would decide the fate of both team's chances at national 3.0 dominance!
In the singles match, Travis had given up on actual tennis early in the second set as he quickly learned he was no match for Brett's consistent forehand and consistent net play and had instead resorted to his tried-and-true kamikaze rush-the-net-every-play "style" of tennis. The constant rushing to the net took its toll on his opponent, for Brett never knew if Travis was coming to the net to serve and volley or just coming to the net to engage in talk and conversation, and Brett's fear of the latter no doubt led to an error-prone 10-1 SUPER TIE-BREAK in which the New Englander was certainly just happy for the entire ordeal to just be over. Almost at the exact same time on the adjacent court, Jim and John were able to hold on in a back-and-forth 10-7 SUPER TIE-BREAK to thwart the New Englander's comeback and help give Team Midwest a hard-fought opening 4-1 team victory! And with that, the photographer took a photo of Roger and Adam.
Brett, reacting the way most players do when Travis attempts to engage in conversation.
Huzzah, though! Take that predictions! Team Midwest was well on its way to beating the odds...
... until later that day.
With the early morning victory, the Ohio based team was in the running for national titles, but to make that happen they'd have to relocate to a new tennis facility - the ironically named Early Wine Tennis Center (in which neither "early" nor "wine" were present, leading one D.F.O. reporter to take it upon himself to provide at least one of those two items) - and they'd have to take on a well-rested team from the East who had yet to play a match that day.
Captain Jeremy made one change to the lineup, teaming co-captain Scott with Anthony "the Tag" (as he liked to be called), but all else remained the same, and in some cases that meant the score! For in #1 singles, Wael ran into a defensive wall named David who returned every ... single ... shot, giving the M.V.P. singles player of the Midwest Tournament his second bread stick in as many matches. Not to be outdone, Travis, at #2 singles, went to work to out do his singles partner Wael and played so well* that he not only wrapped up his first set in but 12 minutes but he also earned a much respected bagel (to the odd delight of half of the travelling D.F.O. reporting team). Indeed, Mickey, was able to keep Travis on the defensive with deep leftie forehands and then attack anything short with solid leftie volleys and, most importantly, ignore Travis' attempts at conversation, which turned out to be the turning point (as well as the 12 games in a row he won). Travis could at least take solace in the fact that as they left the not-even-sweated-on court, his opponent may or may not have promised to make the next episode of his award-winning documentary series about athletic losers to and about Travis (hint: he did not).
Thus, down 0-2 after two crushing defeats on the usually reliable singles courts, it would all come down to the doubles teams to save Team Midwest's national title hopes. Initially things looked good, as one of the best doubles tandems in the nation, Jim and John, jumped out to a quick first set victory versus their opponents Stephen and Christopher. However, the team from the East rallied to take the second, and no doubt thanks to fresher legs, were able to take an early and commanding lead in the third set SUPER TIE-BREAKER. In said third set SUPER TIE-BREAKER, the players from The East were able to hold all the way to victory, giving them something they could remember for their entire 3.0 lives - giving Jim and John their first ever playoff loss in nine matches! As the team from the East walked to the net to shake hands with their opponents the pride they felt was palpable as not only had they been able to clinch the team win for their club, but they were able to do it against one of the best doubles tandems in the nation! If not the galaxy! IF NOT THE OHIO! (Ohio > Galaxy)
Still, with tie-breakers paramount, the other doubles matches still held high value, and few are valued as highly (at least by the newspapers, magazines, and tabloids) than the dreamy doubles team of Roger and Adam. Roger, with his swashbuckling Canadian style of play, and Adam, with his boy band features, stunned their opponents with swashbuckling play and boyish shots, eventually earning a two-set win to go an undefeated 2-0 during the playoffs as a tandem and, more importantly, go undefeated in the hearts of the assembled fans. Speaking of a two-set win, East was able to secure their 4-1 victory as their #1 doubles player Navin was able to win the big points despite a spirited attempt from Ado and co-captain Scott, and while most the points went to deuce, it was the players from New York who were able to come up with the big winners, giving them the opening team win they needed to make an unexpected run to the finals!
Thus, after day one, Team Midwest was 1-1 and still in the thick of things, but they would need to go 2-0 the next day if their dream season was to continue. Still, there was much to celebrate, including Wael's Double Breadstick Day, Travis' first bagel since 2017, and Adam and Roger scoring yet another photo shoot opportunity (coming soon as the cover story in the tennis magazine "3.0 Tennis Quarterly"). Thus, like the dedicated athletes they are, the Ohioan's headed out to hydrate* and carb* load to fine-tune their bodies for tomorrow's big matches.
Day Two - Leaving Las Vegas
Needing the win to stay in contention, Force's Captain Jeremy threw everything he had at the opening match of day two, including playing straight-up and harnessing the Rain Gods to try to cancel the match against the presumptive #1 team in the entire tournament (if not the world!). And while the rain did come and the courts were slowed down, the crack* U.S.T.A. crew on hand were able to get the courts cleared in record* time, meaning the match would go on.
Unfortunately for Captain Jeremy, the Intermountain team proved to be too much for his beloved Midwest team, and Travis, Jim and John, and Scott and Anthony would all fall to defeat almost as quickly as they had walked on the court. Scott and Anthony, though, did rally in the second against one of the best #3 doubles players of the event, Allan. And Jim and John, in their final match together, played admirably versus the most feared player of the event, Carlos, who had lost only one match in the history of the universe. And Travis did double his games won total from the match prior from 0 to 2, showing great* improvement. But in the end, the Las Vegas team's combination of scouting, talent, matching t-shirts, jaw-wiring, and use of wooden racquets proved to be too much. Indeed, not even Wael's inspiring words - "TRAVIS IT'S BAD ENOUGH YOU'RE GETTING CRUSHED BUT NOW YOU'RE GETTING CRUSHED BY A GUY USING A WOODEN RACQUET, YOU SUCK!" - could rally the team, and like that, Team Midwest's chances of a national title run were over. In solidarity, cover boys Roger and Adam decided to lose their match as well and also break up the band and end their careers while Wael, going against team rules, decided to win his match, forcing Captain Jeremy to bench him for the remainder of the tournament.
After the defeat, only the group's third loss on the year, Team Midwest fell to 1-2 and was officially out of the running for a final four finish. A somber hush fell over the group as they slowly realized that everything they had worked toward all season long was finally coming to an end. And with a sense of what could have been falling over the team, and with the sad bagpipes of defeat washing over them (although that could have been the tornado sirens), Captain Jeremy gathered the group, for he and he alone had realized something his team had quickly forgotten - there was still a final playoff match to play! And with but one match left in their season, Captain Jeremy assembled the team and declared that they would do something they hadn't done all year. In fact, they would do something they as a group had sworn that they would never, ever do. Ever. They would ... HAVE FUN.
Except for Wael. He was benched.
Playing for pride, Team Force/NEO/Ohio/Midwest decided to go for broke, and Captain
Jeremy assembled his rag-tag crew for their final match together, possibly ever. But in said final match, Captain Jeremy stated they would actually look like a team, and mandated they wear matching outfits to show they were a team. And by the Wooden Racquet of Vitas Gerulaitis, that's what they did! The crew actually looked like an actual team, impressing the passers-by with their lavender/purple shirts, socks, and wristbands. For the first time all season, the group looked like an organized squad as opposed to a random assortment of tennis hobos (which of course threw off their opponents). Indeed, Texas, one of the top five rated teams coming into the event, needed the win to stay in contention for a final four berth, but standing in their way was a giant wall of purple. Or lavender. Or lilac. You get the idea.
Things initially looked good for Texas as their best singles player, Saurin, descended from a Lord of the Rings Trilogy and used all the tennis sorcery he could muster to take down Ado "The Balkanator." And though Ado hails from parts unknown, he found his game in the second, and rallied back to push one of the best singles players in all the tournament to the brink, falling one break short of a second set victory in #2 singles.
At #2 doubles, Adam teamed with John for the first time during the playoffs, and the silky smooth play of the former combined with the veteran savvy of the latter (combined with two wine-drinking fools on the hill behind the courts) proved to be too much for the Texas team to handle, and the pair ended their season with an impressive and convincing win on the courts of doubles. John, the team leader in matches played and matches won, notched career 3.0 victory #46 with this very win, leaving him just four shy of legendary 50 win 3.0 status. Adam, meanwhile, with his third victory of the event, was the team leader in nationals wins, proving once and for all to all the doubters (i.e., his teammates) just how valuable of an early season free agent signing he turned out to be.
Jim, textbook in every way, from his swing to his sartorial approach.
Texas answered back, though, as the Lone Star State's singles specialist Manny took on Ohio's doubles specialist Jim in a back and forth mano y mano match, with Jim's blistering forehands attempting to counter Manny's ability to talk-all-time-time. In a fantastic display of tennis in which only one break decided each set, it was the fast-talking Manny that emerged victorious, but not before Jim was able to give the crowd what they had come to see - laser-like forehands, huge serves, and multiple outfit changes!
Down 1-2, things looked bleak for Captain Jeremy's squad, especially as Roger and Anthony, at #1 doubles, were down a set, and at #3 doubles Travis and Scott were ... well ... in the lineup. In the marquee doubles match, though, Roger and Anthony needed a comeback, and at that point, Anthony, who could barely understand Roger's thick Canadian language, developed a way to communicate to his maple syrup-loving teammate that proved to be the momentum changer they needed. Anthony stopped referring to tennis as tennis - a word far too complicated for the Canadian to comprehend - and instead changed his language to that of Roger's favorite sport, curling. Anthony could be heard to yell "don't be a hogged stone!" and "this is our final bonspiel, let's go!" and "we need to give them a blank end!" and "that's how you use your brush!" And thus, much like the most famous skips in curling lore, Anthony was able to communicate to the burly Canadian in such a way that the pair pushed the match to a deciding third set SUPER TIE-BREAK! And when down in the SUPER TIE-BREAK and all hope looked lost, Anthony simply turned to his partner and whispered "hammer," and with that Roger simply nodded before blazing blistering backhand after blistering backhand upon his opponents, unleashing the polite power of all of Canada upon his Texas opposition, not only getting his team back in the SUPER TIE-BREAK but winning the SUPER TIE-BREAK as well! And with that, Roger unleashed a victory howl the likes of which only heard in the wilds of Canada! Or a Waffle House. But howl he did!
With the victory howl still resonating courts away, Scott and Travis knew that Roger and Anthony had taken care of their own tennis business (or a wild dog had dragged one of the participants off of the court and into the Oklahoma wild) and that it may very well be up to them to clinch the team match. But they had two things going against them - themselves. Well, three, technically, for their opposition, two lefties, jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead as Sammy's experience and Robert's explosive net play quickly put the Ohio pairing in early trouble. At that point, Scott's veteran wiles came into play, and he devised a complicated and controversial strategy of "putting the ball into play" rather than hitting it out of bounds. Travis disagreed, thinking their strategy of hitting the ball not just out of bounds, but out of the entire facility, would soon pay dividends. But, down early, the duo had nothing to lose, and with their new found plan, they slowly chipped away at their opponents lead by following their "put the ball into play" strategy and surprised everyone, including themselves, when they held on to win the first set after being down three games and then later, two set points.
Only one set win away from clinching the team win, the duo started to grip a bit, especially as the crowd started to gather to watch (the other match on the court next to them). But it was at this crucial junction that co-captain Scott showed his veteran wiles by utilizing a second most important strategical move - having their opponent get hurt. Indeed, Scott instructed Travis to hit a lob so poorly that the opposition wasn't sure what to do with the ball (Travis readily obliged) and when the Texas pair finally did decide what to do with the ball, chaos ensued as Rob overhead smashed the ball ... right into poor Sammy's left eyeball. Despite some fantastic* assistance from the incredibly kind*, helpful*, and understanding* U.S.T.A. official, Sammy was unable to shake off the effects of said injury, and while he showed true grit in giving it a go the rest of the match, poor Sammy was essentially playing with one eye. His partner, meanwhile, was overcome with guilt, which meant that Team Midwest took the surprising team win over one of the pre-tournament favorites. As co-captain Scott repeated over and over again in the Midwest celebration, "I didn't put us together thinking we would actually win!" Which totally didn't hurt Travis' self-esteem.
And with that, the team celebrated! Tears were shed, hugs were held, and gatorade baths were taken! Projected to finish 1-3 and toward the bottom of the standings Team Midwest instead stood at 2-2, finishing 8th out of 15 teams, solidly right in the middle of average! Not only that, but one of the team's they lost against, Intermountain, went on to win the whole enchilada (which is a Spanish word that means "championship")! Meaning, if you looked at it a certain way, and squinted really, really, hard ... Team Midwest could be seen as the second best team in the tournament, if not the world, IF NOT THE GALAXY!!
KEEP SQUINTING!!
Epilogue - The Greatest Team Ever?! (Hint: no)
With the season complete, the group went their separate ways (which was odd considering they were all going back to Cleveland). Some left that evening while some stayed an extra day to soak in all that OKC had to offer (and it was so, so much!). But when all was said and done, the 2021 Force team had etched their names upon the annals of 3.0 tennis history with one of the best 3.0 tennis performances in the history of N.E.O, Ohio, and Midwestern 3.0 tennis! BEHOLD THE SELF-AGGRANDIZING NUMBERS!
1st - the team's all-time status in the Midwest 18+ ratings. Since 2013, the first year the U.S.T.A. split adult 3.0 tennis into age groups, Force's 8th place Nationals finish is the best finish of any Midwest 18+ team in the history of the world (or since 2013, which is basically the same thing in this context).
1st - the team's all-time status in the Ohio 18+ and adult ratings. Since 2002, the first year the U.S.T.A. started National Championships play, Force's 8th place Nationals finish is the best finish of any Ohio 18+ and adult team in the history of the world (or ... well, you get the idea)!
1st - the team's all-time status in Northeast Ohio 18+ and adult ratings. This is almost the same exact paragraph as above! But now we are just talking Northeast Ohio. Which is different!!
4th - the team's all-time status in the Midwest 18+ and adult ratings. Since 2002, only three other teams in the entire - entire! - Midwest 18+ and adult category have outperformed Force's 8th place Nationals finish (Illinois, 1st, 2006; Indiana, 2nd, 2003 and 2008 ... but nobody likes braggarts, come on guys...)!
6th - the team's all-time status in Ohio - and Northeast Ohio - if you combine every 3.0 team in the history of 3.0 play (which we have!), including adult (three teams, see above), 18+ (no teams!), and 40+ (five teams, but who's counting... Bay, 7th, 2013; LaTuchie, 3rd, 2014; Towpath, 5th, 2015; Towpath, 4th, 2017; NCRC, 3rd, 2018 ... seriously, quit boasting...).
8th - the team's all-time status in Midwest 3.0 play if you add up all the numbers imaginable!
Simply put, if you look at all the numbers, and you look at all the numbers in particular way, is this quite possibly the greatest 3.0 team in the history of the galaxy?! IS IT?!
The Season in Review
Every great season and every great team - and if you've read our interpretation of the numbers the right way this is clearly* a great team - has some memorable moments and matches. Join us as we scroll back through some of the most momentous moments of a monumental season.
Pre-Season
January - Captain Jeremy decides to captain once again despite ending the 2020 season with career coaching milestones in every category, including team wins, a Flight Championship, and a District Championship. He never ever regrets his decision to manage this group of "adults" a single time. Ever.
February - 2020 D.F.O. Doubles Team of the Year member Scott realizes that his post-season new body replacement plan isn't going as smoothly as first thought and begins transition to co-captaincy role.
March - Team convinces free agent Travis to leave his beloved Bay team to join the most functional, fun-loving group of tennis players around. Like Captain Jeremy, he never ever regrets this decision. Ever.
April - Team recruits rookie Wael, who is more interested in golf than tennis, just in case they need some backup depth at doubles so he'll occasionally, maybe, play doubles. Once in a while. Rarely. Just in case.
May - Flights are revealed. Team immediately gets nervous to see rival Towpath in same Flight. Travis gets nervous to see former friends Bay in same Flight.
Regular Season
May 17 - Team wins first match of the season as singles standout Andrew plays his first - and last - match for Force as the club hosts rival Towpath to open the year. Andrew wins, then loses, his match after he is DQ'd for being too good, which is the only hiccup the team will face all season long.
May 17th (seconds after Andrew is DQ'd) - Veteran Force standout John begs free agent Adam to join the team. Adam agrees after lengthy contract negotiations.
June - Despite a strong start to the month, team is swept at Towpath for first loss of the season, Wael is injured and seeks treatment overseas, Adam explains he'll be on a male-modeling photo shoot out of state for the rest of the regular season, and co-captain Scott relays that he'll be 2,000 miles away for both District and Ohio State Championship playoffs. Captain Jeremy continues to not regret his decision to captain the team. Ever.
July 7 - Depleted due to absences and injuries, veteran Force players Mark and Harry come off the bench to secure a much needed #3 doubles win versus a resurgent Paramount Westlake, helping Force to a vital 3-2 team victory that would turn out to be key to the team maintaining their Flight status for the remainder of the season.
July 19 - Needing a 4-1 win at Bay Village to secure the Flight Championship, and unable to rely on Wael, returning from injury, and Travis, dealing with the emotional baggage of playing against his former team, Captain Jeremy turns to veterans Timothy and Robert, who secure the team's second straight Flight Championship with a come-from-behind three set SUPER TIE-BREAK victory. Team celebrates by buying Jim a tennis bag.
District Playoffs
August 1 - District schedule is released and squad realizes they are playing rival Towpath for fourth time in two years and The Great Scott Hovey. Travis' scouting confirms Force will lose.
August 8 - Team plays rival Towpath for third time in 2021 to open District playoffs as the #2 seed. New signings Wael and Travis finally prove their worth as both eek out third set SUPER TIE-BREAK wins to secure the first round victory.
August 9 - Team plays #1 seed LaTuchie and The Great Scott Hovey, splitting two courts (obviously not Scott's court). In the deciding match, and up a set in #3 doubles, a rain storm moves the match from Springside to Towpath. Anthony and Adam lose momentum and are down early in the third set SUPER TIE-BREAK, but Tim breaks open the victory beverages early, and inspired, the duo storm back to take the match, giving Force it's second straight District Championship in as many years. In the background, John smiles for the first time all season while co-captain Scott send a congratulatory text from somewhere 2,000 miles away.
Ohio State Championship Championships Playoffs
August 11, Early Evening - Realizing the team will be playing on clay for the first time all season during the Ohio State Championships at CVAC, John secures clay court practice for the team.
August 11, Late Evening - Team realizes they're in trouble. Travis' scouting confirms Force will lose.
August 14 - Playing at CVAC on clay for the first time all season, the team splits two courts before the deciding match at #2 singles is nearly decided on a Travis overhead smash. The growns are audible as Travis mishits his 17,000th overhead on the season, but his opponent soon hits two shots wide in the third set SUPER TIE-BREAK to gift Force the first round win.
August 15 - Playing against #1 seed Dayton, Anthony and Ado are "sacrificed" at #1 doubles but go against team protocol and win in two to give the team a chance at a team victory. Roger, who was supposed to be on a flight to Canada but said flight was delayed, helps secure team win number two before the best doubles team in Ohio, Jim and John, clinch the team's first ever Ohio State Championships Championship with a straight set victory. Force veterans Mark, Rob, and Timothy show true teamwork by cheering on the team all weekend long (and arguably doing more that day than Wael and Travis who ended their singles matches in less than 20') while Travis fears how his wife will react to the good* news. Co-captain Scott wakes up 2,000 miles away to find out he helped lead a team to a Ohio State Championships Championship.
Midwest Playoffs
August 16 - Key doubles player Roger informs team he can't luck out two weekends in a row and won't be making the trip to Indianapolis and leaves the country. Travis' wife tells Travis he should consider the same thing. Anthony reserves AirBnB so team can focus.*. Travis' scouting confirms Force will lose.
August 20 - Playing against #2 seed Indiana, the standout doubles tandem of Jim and John drop only three games en route to securing Force a round one 3-2 victory. Team realizes they may have to take things seriously now and acts responsibly* the rest of the evening at team AirBnB.
August 21 - Big Joe and 'Ramesh step up and give some of the roster a much needed rest, pushing their opponents in their doubles match to the brink with Big Joe's big serves. Wael shows amazing sportsmanship and gives his opponent two bottles of water on a blazing hot day which earns him the respect of the assembled crowd but a team warning from his captain.
August 22 - Facing #1 seed Michigan, co-captain Scott makes his return to the courts and while he falls, his mere presence, combined with the words of Travis ("dude, you don't stand a chance...") helps inspire Wael, who, facing the undisputed best player in the entire field, plays the match of his life to even the team score at 2-2. In a third set SUPER TIE-BREAK at #1 doubles, Jim and John not only win the match but clinch the team win to send the squad to Nationals. Everyone celebrates by immediately going home and/or reserving a Disney trip to placate their wife.
Nationals
September, Early - Team rests and barely plays. Some start to wonder if practicing would be a good idea. Some start to wonder if a trip to Oklahoma is good idea. Anthony and Travis begin research on opposition. Anthony and Travis begin to worry about opposition but feel okay as long as they don't play three particular teams.
September, Late - Schedule revealed. Force is playing three of the teams Anthony and Travis were worried about. Anthony and Travis begin to worry even more. Travis' scouting confirms Force will lose.
October 1, Morning - Force is the opening match of the 2021 National playoffs, under the (morning) lights of the OKC Tennis Center. Travis in singles and Jim and John in doubles secure the team win with third set SUPER TIE-BREAK victories. Co-captain Scott gently disagrees with New England Captain regarding practice etiquette.
October 1, Afternoon - Forces suffers their biggest defeat since regular season against Towpath, losing 4-1 to East. Roger and Adam, however, get the team on the scoreboard with their second win at Nationals in as many attempts, making them, quite literally, the bells of the U.S.T.A. ball.
October 2, Morning - After a well-organized* morning by the U.S.T.A., the team faces tournament favorite Intermountain (who will later go on to win the entire event). Travis loses so badly he and his opponent both play with a wooden racquet. Wael, the sole winner on the day, is benched mid-way through the second set, because, per team policy, "Winners get benched." Team falls 4-1 for the second straight match, thus ending their chances at a Nationals run.
October 2, Afternoon - Deciding to break the mold and "have fun" team shakes up the lineup. Ado and Jim give valiant efforts at singles while D.F.O. contributors Austin and Jeff get yelled at for being too close to the court and thus helping Roger and Anthony come back in their doubles match to even the team score. In #3 doubles, Scott and Travis show great sportsmanship by helping an injured opponent with a cold Blue Moon and assisting a fantastic* U.S.T.A. official, before eeking out a doubles victory that would secure the team's 8th place finish, the best 18+ finish of any Midwest 3.0 team in the history of Midwest 3.0 18+ tennis.
The Force team could be heard to shout "We're #8! We're #8!! We're #8!!!" long into the Oklahoma night...
Player Reviews
Every team has a roster. And every player on that roster makes a difference. Let's meet the difference makers of the greatest team in the history of the galaxy!
Or at least Rocky River...
(players listed at time they signed up for Team Force)
Jeremy - The Captain, he quite literally steered the ship that was Rocky River Force from the shores of Lake Erie to the shores of ... Oklahoma City (?). Due to an early season injury he was unable to get on the court, but his court acumen, his court organization, and his threats to send those on the team to court if they didn't shape up all played a huge - nay, THE - biggest role in this team's success. The all-time winningest captain in Force 3.0 history and leader of one of the greatest Midwest 3.0 teams of all-time, no wonder the phrase "SHOW ME THE BENJAMINS" is so popular nowadays!
Scott - The co-captain, he was Jeremy's left-hand man (because Jeremy is right-handed), and the Brain Trust of these two set the course for Team Force's legendary run. The 2020 D.F.O. Doubles Team of the Year recipient, body image issues kept him off the court for much of the season, but that didn't prevent him from having a huge impact off the court, even from 2,000 miles away. In the end, Scott's ability to lead helped lead this team to where it was led.
Anthony - A long time Force player, Anthony eschews "normal" tennis or "lessons" or"typical" play or even "taking tags off his clothing after he purchased an item." Unable to play during last season's District Championship run, Anthony was fueled by desire (and Whistle Pig) to return to the courts and show his worth. He showed said worth and then some, as he was a key doubles player all season long, teaming up with multiple partners all season long. In the end, he impressed his teammates with his ability to clinch the District title, reserve accommodations, and nap, on the court or off, at a moments notice.
Adnan - No one, including Ado, knowns where Ado comes from, but that's appropriate to his style - singles, doubles, triples, he does it all. The most versatile and one of the most experienced players on the Force roster, Ado is everywhere. Seriously. Look behind you. HE'S THERE RIGHT NOW!
Andrew - Sadly DQ'd to the world of 3.5, he still showed up on weekend practices to help his former teammates on the courts with his impeccable tennis skills. Unfortunately, because he was too good the entire Force team has sworn a vow of silence towards him and no one will ever talk to him ever again.
Travis - One of the top free agent signings of the season, Travis impressed the Force crew with his ability to win "ugly," his ability to whine about every single match, and his ability to keep a family law attorney on retainer the entire season.
Mark - Question: Who is the only undefeated player on Force? Answer: Mark. Whenever the team needed a win, Mark was ready to answer the bell. Indeed, with the team depleted entering the midway point of the regular season, it was Mark who answered said victory bell with a huge doubles win to keep the group's Flight status alive when the season was at its most bleak moment. AND BOY HOWDY DID THAT BELL RING!
John - Perhaps the top 3.0 player in all of O-H-I-O, John could play singles and doubles; he could string a racquet and swing a racquet; he could coach and he could play. The 3.0 triple threat, the 2020 D.F.O. Doubles Team of the Year recipient kept adding to his 3.0 legacy with clutch win after clutch win, which is appropriate, for when it comes to John there is only one letter you need to know - "W"!
Timothy - Question: Who is the only undefeated player on Force? Answer: Timothy (we're hoping you didn't read our post about Mark earlier). When the team needed to secure the final regular season win on the road at the hostile confines of Bay Village to take the Flight Championship, who did it? Timothy, that's who. When the team needed support during playoffs, who was there? Timothy, that's who. WHERE WERE YOU?!
Robert - Ques ... okay, we'll stop. But point is, when the team needed a win to secure their Flight Championship, Robert was clutch in a three set SUPER TIE-BREAK match, and delivered it. And when the team needed practice on Saturdays, Robert was there. When the team needed support from the stands, Robert was there. Which begs the question ... WHERE WERE YOU?!
Jim - One of the top singles players on the roster, Jim changed his entire game to fit the team's needs, playing doubles almost exclusively the entire season. In doing so, he and John formed the premier doubles tandem in all of Ohio, if not the Midwest ... IF NOT THE GALAXY! Not only did he change his entire game, he would often change his entire outfit, and became as known for his Beyonce-like outfit changes as well as his ability to practice whenever and wherever. Thus, not only did Jim play a major role in the success of the team on the courts but also in their on court sartorial style as well!
Chris - A key Saturday weekend practice player, Chris helped keep the crew sharp with competitive Saturday weekend practices as he enjoyed the most unblemished record of anyone on the roster!
Big Joe - An incredibly important part of the team's success during the regular season, Big Joe's ability to play singles or doubles gave the team valuable flexibility. But his harnessing of The Prince of Tennis during the Midwest Championships will forever be his lasting legacy, a legacy that helped the crew harness the powers of the legendary twist serve (and is just one reason why he has forever lost remote privilidges)!
Roger - Bringing tennis skills from north of the border, Roger became the team's solo Canadian after Andrew's departure. Despite the cultural isolation, Roger adapted well, and adapted well with several doubles teammates, becoming one of the key doubles players on the squad with his ability to play with multiple styles and multiple teammates through the year. Still struggling to learn English, Roger did learn at least one word this season - "Midwest Champions." Or maybe two words.
Wael - A late signing to ensure roster depth, Wael turned into the best singles player not only on the team but in the entire Midwest, going 4-0 at that crucial stage of the playoffs. His amazing defense combined with his ability to wear long-sleeve shirts during the hottest stages of an event are only some of the factors that help explain his amazing post-season success! Sadly, because Wael won the only individual match against eventual champions Intermountain, he was benched for the remainder of the playoffs for violating team policy.
'Ramesh - The most veteran player on the roster with the heretofore most playoff experience, the smooth moving 'Ramesh helped the team to a big win in the regular season and was a key player during weekend practices to help his teammates harness their skills so they'd be ready for league and playoff play. "Smooth as Sreeamesh" isn't just an expression ... it's a way of life!
Harry - Another key weekend player, Harry also helped the team to a huge regular season win to secure the team's Flight Championship status when the team was at its darkest depths of the season as his #3 doubles win stopped a losing streak and helped spark a 12 match winning streak! A fellow educator and man of teutonic following, he also helped newbie Travis feel at ease among the rough and tumble Force crew.
Paul - Didn't show up to one event but he's on a championship roster, so he's probably the smartest one of them all!
Adam - A late season free agent signing after Andrew's promotion to the next level, Adam immediately fit in ... by immediately declaring he was leaving for most the summer. But when he returned, his ability to play singles and doubles, while at the same time bringing the team much needed media exposure, made him an invaluable member of the Force photo-op team.
The End
Well, that's a wrap on a great 3.0 season, and while the 40+ 3.0ers are still set to play in their National event, this website tends to focus on Northeast Ohio 3.0 tennis (which, actually, is some pretty darn good 3.0 tennis), so we'll most likely shut down the D.F.O. shop for now (but good luck to Team Dayton!). But that doesn't mean the stories are over! Nay!
Indeed, many of your favorite 3.0ers from Force and beyond are still playing in Fusion, so keep adding to those stats, gentlemen! Will Force's John and Paramount Medina's Denny get to career 3.0 win #50? Will Wembley's J.P. and Medical Mutual's Debabrata add to their recent 40th career 3.0 wins? Will Towpath's Frank, who is but three wins shy of 80, get to 80? Will Paramount Westlake's Clem come out of retirement to get career 3.0 win #100?!
BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE! Many of these same 3.0ers are up for some grand prizes* and recognition*! Indeed, the D.F.O. Player of the Year awards will be announced in December! Tournament champions Travis, George (Springside), and Nicolas (Mentor) all have their tennis hats in the ring as do the amazing regular season results of Scott (LaTuchie), Chris and Ronald (LaTuchie), and Dieter (Bay!). And don't forget the playoff play of Wael, Jim and John, and Chad, Jansen, and Michael (Dayton)! DON'T YOU DARE!
BUT THERE'S EVEN MORE! December will also be when the D.F.O. Hall of 3.0 Fame voting will take place, too! Which five nominees will be selected to join the most made-up Hall of Fame of them all?! Will this be the year two-time D.F.O. Player of the Year Ron (Towpath) hears his name called? Or Michael (LaTuchie), who was part of four - four! - National qualifying teams? Or Robert (North Ridge), who's 89 career 3.0 wins is third all-time? Perhaps Derek (Western Reserve), for both his play and his contributions off the court? Or Jim (Toledo), the only nominee to actually get a fan vote last season?!
And then let's not forget the biggest event of December - probably the biggest event, tennis or otherwise in all of December - the Promotion-Demotion Show that is the U.S.T.A. revealing the new N.T.R.P. ratings that take place! Who will move to 3.5? Who will move to 2.5? Who won't move at all?! SO MUCH DRAMA! So check back towards the end of the year for all that news and more! For, as Force member Anthony says, "You know no one reads this stuff..." Indeed!
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