Upsets Abound in Both Flights as the Northeastern Ohio Tennis 3.0 World is Turned Upside Down!
After the mythical 3.0 All-Star break, both Flight's returned to tennis action and WOW what a wild matchday six to return towards! To (mis)quote General Cornwallis and the British army when they surrendered to renowned 3.0 tennis player George Washington back at Yorktown way back in 1783, "The [Tennis] World [is] Turned Upside Down"! Who knew that George Washington's experience some 200+ years ago would accurately explain the wild happenings of matchday six? And who knows if any of what we just wrote is actually historically accurate?! Neither do we! So let's find out what we DO know!
Flight #1 Recap
CVAC v. Avon Oaks/Bay, 0-3
Singles - Mike Carrol 1-6, 4-6 v. Travis Haselswerdt
1st Doubles - Carl Parker/Jeffrey Spencer 4-6, 0-6 v. Erik Overberger/Tony Slabicki
2nd Doubles - Greg Marthe/Orlando Dangond 5-7, 1-6 v. David Karam/Charlie Post
Notes - Trying to bounce back after a tough loss to MVRC just before the All-Star break (that wasn't really a break of any kind), Avon Oaks/Bay headed east to CVAC to try to make a push for an all-important top two playoff-bound spot in Flight #1. CVAC, meanwhile, was coming off their best team match of the season, as, just before the break, they pushed Force, the best team in the Flight, to the brink, and were looking to build on that momentum as they entered the second half of the 3.0 league season. In fact, they had so much momentum and confidence that they almost decided to play a man down! WHOA! But CVAC interim captain Jeffrey decided since Avon Oaks/Bay had driven so far that they at least deserved a match, so singles specialist Mike was called in at a moment's notice and at the last second to literally jump on the court and give it a go. Understandably frazzled at the quick call-up, Mike struggled at first to get going in the first set as Travis unleashed uncharacteristically big serves, surprising not just Mike, but surprising especially Travis. However, as the second set took place, Mike began to settle into the match, and once he did, he found his game, and his serve, and as such, he not only got back into the match, but evened it up at 4-4 with pinpoint placement of his service game, keeping Travis and his fancy new sneakers on his fancy heels throughout most of the second set. But Travis isn't one of the most annoying players to play in Flight #1 for nothing, and that's exactly what Travis began to offer up - lots and lots of nothing. Travis started pushing, chipping, and slicing Mike's serves back with a speed and pace that would possibly impress a small, small child. Grabbing the momentum by taking away any and all actual momentum, Travis was able to break and then consolidate, taking the match, leaving Mike to exclaim, "Finally! It's Miller time!" Indeed!
Up 1-0 in the team score, Avon Oaks/Bay Captain Dave sent All-Star doubles player Tony, who is enjoying a fantastic season and perhaps angling for the (most likely pretend) Most Improved 3.0 Player award, to 1st Doubles to team up with Erik, who over his career is an impressive 8-8 in 3.0 doubles. Interim captain Jeffrey responded by putting himself into the tennis fray, teaming up with 3.0 rookie Carl, and in a tight first set, both sides were even at 4-4 before Tony and Erik pulled out a close first set victory. Perhaps inspired by Mike's exclamation in the paragraph above that the CVAC bar was open, Tony and Erik were extra motivated and in the second set they came out en fuego (as tennis analysts like to say) with on target smashes and pinpoint angles that saw them win the second set, and the match, despite some fine defensive play by Jeffrey and Carl.
Thus, though the team match was decided, rookie Captain Dave knew that with Flight #1 being so close, tie breakers will certainly play a role in the future, and as such, he teamed up with Charlie, a veteran 3.0er who had steered Dave to his first ever win a year ago, much like former great Browns coaches have steered the historic club to a win or two over the years. Perhaps revisiting their 2019 glory, much like the Browns 2007 non-playoff Season of Dreams, Charlie and Dave came out with a classic strategy - Charlie taking charge of the offense, smashing running forehands, and Dave taking charge of the defense, getting everything back on the defensive side. Like two great former Browns coaches, Charlie was the offensive genius ala Pat Schurmer while Dave was the defensive mastermind ala Eric Mangini, and we all know how well that ended. Which probably explains why veteran doubles 3.0ers Orlando and Greg went back and forth with Charlie and Dave, as both sides exhibited fine doubles play as the first set went back and forth. But like Hue Jackson, Dave was able to dial up a winning play - just one as it turned out, just like good 'ol Hue - and the Avon Oaks/Bay tandem were able to hold on for a close, close, close first set win. In the second, Dave harnessed his inner Chris Palmer-like leadership while Charlie showed Maurice Carthon-like offensive firepower, and with leadership and firepower like that, it's almost impossible to not not win (that' extra "not" isn't a mistake, by the way). Despite some fine play by Orlando and Greg, Captain Dave and Charlie were able to take the set and thus the match, giving Avon Oaks/Bay the win and a potential tie breaker down the 3.0 road.
Special Notes - Congrats to Captain Dave, who, with his third career managerial win now moves into 3rd place all-time (ALL-TIME!) as the third most winningest Captain in Bay Village 3.0 tennis history! All-time! WOW! Let that sink in! Congrats, too, to Erik, who move up to 4th all-time in team history for total wins (16), 5th all-time in doubles wins (9), and second all-time in 1st Doubles wins (4)! More congrats are in order, for Charlie, who has been stepping in for injured players on the roster and doing so with aplomb, is now tied for 2nd all-time in 2nd Doubles wins (4)! Meanwhile, continuing his fantastic season, 3.0 doubles specialist Tony is now tied for 2nd in Flight #1 in doubles and overall wins (3)! Travis, meanwhile, enjoyed his 55th career 3.0 win, which could be impressive but if you stop to think about it just means he's basically the Crash Davis of 3.0 tennis. So please, please, please don't stop to think about it...
Up Next - CVAC @ Wembley, Avon Oaks/Bay v. Force
MVRC v. Wembley, 2-1
Singles - Christian King 6-1, 6-3 v. Brian Greene
1st Doubles - Rick King/John King 3-6, 2-6 v. JP Ayyappan/David Ries
2nd Doubles - Karl King/Phil King 6-1, 7-5 v. Kiyotaka Fukamachi/Dino Rizza
Notes - MVRC, on a recent tear and entering the night in 2nd place in Flight #1 by winning two of their last three team matches, hosted 4th place Wembley, who, with the same 2-2 record, could leapfrog their way into a top-two spot with a win on the road! In singles, MVRC Captain Rick the Younger sent in Flight #1 Rookie of the Year candidate Christian King while Wembley Captain JP countered with their singles specialist Brian Greene. Christian, quickly making a name for himself in the 3.0 world with his blazing speed, started, ahem, fast, and while Brian worked his way back into the match in the second set, Christian's pace, speed, and quickness combined with his swift, brisk, and rapid movements, won the day and continued his fantastic rookie campaign, notching a third straight singles victory!
But even though they were down 0-1 - on the road! - that didn't mean Wembley was done. Far from it, for Captain JP had one of the best doubles teams in both Flights at his disposal, himself and David! 2-1 on the season together, this tag team is nigh-impossible to beat, which is probably why Captain Rick the Younger sent in his secret doubles weapon - John and Rick ... which is like THREE players, for as the league is starting to learn, not only are their Seven Kings in Mayfield, there are multiple Rick King's as well. WHOA! John King, Rick King, and Rick King ... three against two ... it's almost not fair (it's most likely actually not fair, but the King makes the rules, and when in Mayfield, and especially when at MVRC, the King's rule)! Despite the potential of three against two, JP and David's doubles bond held strong, showing once again why they are one of the best doubles tandems around, taking the match and thus evening up the team score at one a piece despite playing against somewhere between 2 to 27 King family members. Now 3-1 together, JP and David not only proved their All-Star status from the week prior, but proved once again that, when combined, they are a nigh-perfect tennis player! Thus, once again, the team match came down to 2nd doubles, JUST AS GEORGE WASHINGTON INTENDED! In this team deciding match, Captain Rick the Younger put the pressure on 3.0 rookies Phil and Karl while Captain
JP countered with flexible all-court player Kiyotaka and 3.0 rookie Dino. But, playing on the friendly confines of their home court, the rookie King's enjoyed a fast start, taking an early lead in the match and setting their team up for victory! However, with Kiyotaka across the court, it was just a matter of time before Wembley found their way back into the match. A back and forth second set followed, and it took second set overtime for the match to finally be decided! Earning a first and second win, respectively, John and Karl not only enjoyed personal victory but team victory as well, as the MVRC King's are proving to be almost unbeatable on their home court!
Up Next - MVRC Bye, Wembley v. CVAC
Flight #1 Standings/Records
Force 4-0
Avon Oaks/Bay 3-2
MVRC 3-2
Wembley 2-3
CVAC 0-5
Flight #2 Recap
Fairlawn v. NCRC, 1-2
Singles - Dustin Fox 2-6, 2-6 v. Munir Ahmad
1st Doubles - John Chlebina/Mickey Remen 6-2, 6-3 v. Benjamin Young/Chester McClain
2nd Doubles - Donald Albainy/Mike Kelley 1-6, 1-6 v. Timothy Booher/William Woodard
Notes - NCRC, looking to stay near the top of the Flight #2 standings, hit the road to take on a young and hungry Fairlawn group looking to impact the leaderboard! Captain Benjamin led off with singles standout Munir, who is enjoying a fantastic undefeated 3.0 singles season, while Fairlawn's Captain Ronald sent in rookie standout Dustin in what would be his first ever 3.0 singles match! A daunting task, to be sure, as Dustin had to take on not just one of the best singles players in Flight #2, but statistically one of the best players overall in Flight #2! Clearly, this had to be the most nerve wracking sporting moment of Dustin's entire sporting career! And while Dustin was, ahem, steady, it's a tough ask to attempt to take out the Flight leading singles player in your first ever 3.0 singles match ever, and Munir, when all was said and done, not only earned his Northeastern Ohio leading FIFTH victory on the season, but also notched his 10th career singles victory as well, leading some to wonder if Munir will be hosting the (invisible) Flight #2 MVP trophy (which possibly doesn't actually exist) by the end of the season. With his team down 0-1, Fairlawn Captain Ronald turned to veteran doubles players John and Mickey to lead the team at 1st Doubles, and with the pressure on to even the team score, both players performed admirably, besting two of the better doubles players around, the experienced and wily Captain Benjamin and doubles specialist Chester. Both John and Mickey enjoyed their first wins of the season but more importantly helped their team even the team score at 1-1, meaning ONCE AGAIN it all came down to 2ND DOUBLES! WOW! GEORGE WASHINGTON STRIKES AGAIN! In this team deciding match, Fairlawn sent veteran 3.0 doubles player Donald, with over 20 doubles matches at the 3.0 level, with relative 3.0 newbie Mike, while Captain Benjamin sent in undefeated 3.0 rookies William and Timothy. Timothy, enjoying a fantastic Rookie of the Year type season, just continued his fantastic run, and with a solid win versus a veteran led Fairlawn team, not only secured the team win for NCRC but also improved upon his undefeated record to tie for the Flight #2 lead in doubles wins! Meaning, that with this win, NCRC had put themselves in a crowded position at the top of Flight #2!
Up Next - Fairlawn v. Paramount Medina, NCRC v. Green
LaTuchie v. Paramount Medina, 1-2
Singles - Kevin Thomas 1-6, 1-6 v. Matt Hutchison
1st Doubles - Okey Ekechi/Jeff Sirak 1-6, 1-6 v. Jonathan Glazer/Roderick Yamat
2nd Doubles - Alan Eng/Brandon Walch 6-4, 6-4 v. Denny Huff/Michael Sapp
Notes - In a matchup of two top Flight #2 teams, fast-rising Paramount and their captain, Captain Phil, put pre-season Singles Player of the Year candidate Matt up against LaTuchie 3.0 rookie Kevin. Matt, with huge serves, huge overheads, and huge groundstrokes, put on a huge show (which isn't hard as he stands in at about 8' tall), and while Kevin may have fallen, he fell to one of the best - AND HUGEST - singles players Flight #2 has to offer, no doubt earning valuable learning experience that will surely aid him in the future. Matt, meanwhile, not only earned his third 3.0 victory of the season, but got his team off to a fast 1-0 start. LaTuchie, though, isn't near the top of Flight #2 by accident, and doubles specialists Okey and Jeff were ready to get their team back in the match. But facing them across the 78' concrete jungle that is the rough and tumble courts o' tennis stood, in perfect split-step synchrony, was second year Paramount standout Jonathan and THE legendary Roderick. No doubt awe-struck by the star-studded lineup across the net, Okey and Jeff, two fantastically experienced doubles players in their own right, fell to one of the premier names in 3.0 tennis, as Roderick notched an amazing 63rd career 3.0 win! Helping to clinch the team win for Paramount, and not to be overshadowed, Jonathan enjoyed his Flight-tying fourth doubles win on the season! WOW! What a tandem! With the team match decided, the final individual match, 2nd Doubles, still was of import, as with so many teams crowding the top of the standings in Flight #2, tie-breakers will surely come into play. With that in mind, Captain Ronald sent out a more than capable tandem, 3.0 rookie Alan and undefeated 3.0 rookie Brandon in a most difficult task - to take on Paramount's Denny and Michael, who combined, have over 130 doubles matches to their credit! In an incredibly close, back-and-
forth match, the Paramount crowd was treated to a tennis treat as the rookies Alan and Brandon held on to earn a fantastic win versus two of the most experienced 3.0 players in all of Northeastern Ohio! And while the victory didn't change the team result, with numerous tie-breakers coming into play at the end of the season, this win could end up playing a huge role in determining team placement when all is said and done!
Up Next - La Tuchie @ Towpath, Paramount Medina @ Fairlawn
Green v. Towpath, 2-1
Singles - Timothy Griffith 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 v. John Consilio
1st Doubles - T Bortz/David Ginnetti 2-6, 0-6 v. Frank Licari/Craig Warner
2nd Doubles - Rob Gonsor/Elbert Enrique 6-1, 6-1 v. Bryan Dudiwka/Joseph George
Notes - Towpath, looking to stay atop the Flight #2 standings, travelled to Green, who was looking to play spoiler and get their first team win of the season. Green Captain Chip, taking himself out of the line-up for the first time all season, put together a group that he hoped would challenge the number one ranked team in Flight #2, and get the 'ol tennis ball
rolling with recent call up Timothy. Tournament tested but new to 3.0 league play, singles specialist Timothy took the league courts for only the second time in his league career, and faced the daunting task of trying to take down 3.0 veteran John, who was 3-1 coming into this match. But Timothy, no doubt forged by the molten hot furnaces of 3.0 singles tournament play, was up to the task, and despite his raw league play, was able to jump out to an early lead versus one of the more successful veteran 3.0 players around. But John, the veteran that he is, rallied, and forced the match to a deciding third set SUPER tiebreak! Timothy, though, no stranger to pressure packed situations during his tournament play, excelled, and in an incredibly close contest, earned himself and his Green team the all important early 1-0 team lead. At that point, Green doubles veterans T and David tried to wrap up the team match, but across from them stood two of the most decorated 3.0 players in all of Northeast Ohio, Captain Frank and doubles player extraordinaire Craig. While T and David gave their best, few can stand in the path of Captain Frank and Craig, who's 3.0 record's attest to their 3.0 greatness! Frank and Craig,
with well over 100 combined 3.0 wins on their resume, are two of the best 3.0 players for a reason, and both added to their impressive resumes with a team tying victory as Frank earned 3.0 win number 58 and Craig, now 4-0 in doubles on the season, earned 3.0 win number 49! WOW! Thus, with the team match evened at 1-1, it all came down - as our first president said it should! - to 2nd Doubles. In this deciding match, Green's Captain Chip made a surprise move, putting singles specialist Elbert in, teaming with veteran 3.0 doubles player Rob. Elbert, unlike most singles players, adapted to the unique strategy and tactics that makes doubles play almost like a completely different game, and, with Rob's doubles guidance, helped lead his doubles team to a team clinching victory over two extremely high-quality doubles players, Bryan, who was an impressive 3-1 coming into this match, and Joseph, an experienced 3.0 doubles player with over 20 doubles 3.0 matches to his name. In doing so, not only did Rob and Elbert win their match, but they also won their team the match, giving Green their first victory of the season! Making this moment all the more impressive is that this wasn't just a victory but it was a victory against the best team in Flight #2! No wonder the assembled Green team carried Captain Chip, like Rudy in the movie Rudy, off the courts (we think ... we weren't there ... but that would be pretty awesome if they did). Huzzah for Green and huzzah for Captain Chip's delicate roster management, earning Green the biggest upset of the 3.0 season! And while Towpath may have fallen, they were still in first place in Flight #2, but WOW what a cluster at the top!
Up Next - Green @ NCRC, Towpath v. La Tuchie
Flight #2 Standings/Records
Towpath 4-2
La Tuchie 4-2
NCRC 4-2
P. Medina 4-2
Fairlawn 1-5
Green 1-5
Conclusion
Great googly moogly! What a matchday six! In Flight #1, Avon Oaks/Bay moved into second place with MVRC right behind as the Seven Kinds of Mayfield continue their fantastic rookie run! But it was in Flight #2 where, thanks to a number of upsets, all the wildness really took place, as four teams now stand at the top of the league standings with four wins a piece! WOW! As George Washington and CVAC's Mike both exclaimed,"Let's just finish this before the bar closes." Indeed!
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