USTA League Winter Wrap-Up

August 9, 2011 | By Deborah-Rose Andrews
Tennis_Serve_Credit_Jupiterimages_Brand X_Pictures
Credit: Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures

The Mixed-Doubles Regional Playoffs were held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center May 14-15. For the first time, we had teams representing the Bronx. There were 10 matches scheduled for Saturday, May 14. The weather was dreary, but we were hopeful. The first round went smoothly, and the second round was almost finished when the skies opened up. Everyone went running for the indoor building and we were able to get everyone onto a court quickly.

Sunday’s forecast was rain, and we hoped it would pass us by. At 2:00 p.m., our luck ran out and it poured. Luckily, the rain didn’t last long and thanks to Rafael, Michael, Dennis, Marianne, James and some of the children on hand to cheer on their parents, we had the courts dried within 45 min. The sun came out and the rest of the day was beautiful.

The 6.0 Queens and Brooklyn teams went into Saturday with one win each and were pitted against one another. Queens and Brooklyn had some great matches, but Bob Spitz & MaryAnn Spitz’s team from Queens pulled out the win.

The 7.0 Manhattan and Brooklyn teams also were tied with two wins apiece as they squared off against one another. Sherron Dawes’ Manhattan team won 2-1, securing their place at the Section Championships.
In the 8.0 Division, the Manhattan team led 2-1 going in, with the team from the Bronx in second place. Both teams swept their matches on Sunday, and Marcella Davoren’s Manhattan team kept their first place spot.

The 9.0 teams had a playoff on March 6 during the Manhattan playoffs. The teams were split 1-1 and anxiously waited for the third court to be decided. The third doubles match had some great points and was a very close match. After two-and-a-half hours, Michael Doane’s team won in a super tie-break.

Our 10.0 team is captained by Clinton deVries. The teams competed in the Eastern Section Championships in Schenectady, N.Y. on June 3-5. Our 8.0 and 10.0 Mixed-Doubles teams captured the titles and will move on to the National Championships in November.

The Spring/Summer Season is underway in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. The Senior and Senior-Mixed Leagues will get underway in July. This is a League for people who are 50 years of age, or will turn 50 in 2011, and older. If you are interested in serving as captain of a team or need help finding a team, please e-mail Senior League Coordinator Joe Miano at joemiano@metrotennis.com and put “Senior” in the subject line.

In September, we are planning to run a Tri-Level League, a single gender league for Men & Women’s teams. The Tri-Level format is three doubles courts: One court at each level (i.e., 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5). Only players with a computer or “Early Start Rating” are allowed to advance. If you are interested, please e-mail luis@metrotennis.com and put “Tri-Level” in the subject line.

USTA Flex League
Do you want to work on your singles game without impacting your USTA rating? Does your schedule make it difficult to play on a USTA League team? If so, Flex League play may be for you. Flex Leagues allow you to play when it’s convenient for you. You decide the match day, time and location with your opponent. Court costs, if any, are split.

Registration is done online at www.ustaflex.com. Once registration is closed, a schedule will be generated. You will receive a list of opponents and suggested “play by” dates. Once the match is played, the scores are recorded online.

Additionally, all players registered for Flex League are entered into the USTA Flex League Sweepstakes where the grand prize is a trip for two to the U.S. Open.

Registration dates
►Fall session: Registration is open July 1-Sept. 10, and play begins on Sept. 17.
 


Deborah-Rose Andrews
Centercourt
USTA NTC

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