T. A.'s Take on Tennis: Pro League at Lexington: A Smash Hit!

Standing room only

It just does not get any better than this folks…unless you’re talking ATP, WTA action. Oh, and I don’t mean on my court either; it definitely gets a lot better than that…as evidenced by what was happening next to me on Court 1 this past Pro League at Lexington Country Club.

Lexington Earns "Host of the Year"

Lexington CC: Host of the year

But before I get into that, let me sing the praises of Joe Rubin, his staff, and the Tennis Committee at Lexington Country Club for doing the best hosting job of the Fort Myers Ritzman Tennis USPTA Pro League that I have experienced in the few years (almost 6) I have been here.

Good luck with parking!

There's one spot way down there

The scene was unbelievable when I got there. Cars lined the streets on both sides, not a space was available in the parking lot, and almost as many people thronged the courts as prowled the Greek Festival the other night…ok, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration…but it was clearly the most people I have seen at a Pro League event. I’m not sure if I would be overstating by guessing 800 or more.

Steve & Christie relaxing in the aftermath

Steph & Fin hanging in "The Lounge"

But it wasn’t just the huge gallery, or the fact that Lexington staff/volunteers were directing parking that made Lexington’s hosting par excellence.

What capped it off was the area adjacent to the courts that was set up with chairs and cloth-covered tables, and which served as an open-air cafeteria of sorts. Those who took advantage of the event-sized grill, which produced beckoning aromas, could partake of the savory offerings in comfort. Nice work Lexington!

The On-Court Happenings

Toni Halski in foreground

Fred gets airborne; Rick awaits

Contrary to most of the season and what we’ve grown used to, most of the matches lacked competitive drama on the scoreboard. Only one match in the 4pm session, league-leading Boston Retirement Advisors (BRA) versus Johnny Malloy’s (JM), went to the typically ubiquitous third-set super-tiebreak. However, those fortunate enough to have stayed through the end of the 5:30pm-matches were treated to one of the finer displays of the day, and perhaps the season.

AutoDrive Sweeps Harborside Dental

Birthday boy Jared Kalpin

The Harborside Dental (HD) versus AutoDrive (AD) matchup was an important one, because AD trailed HD (my team) by two points with only one match left to play (Colonial on Friday, March 9^th) to determine who would play BRA for League honors in the Playoffs. Well, AD came out as though they really wanted the opportunity, and delivered a crushing blow to my team, taking all five matches. Both line-ups had been shuffled a bit, and AD outshuffled and outplayed us.

Jeremy & T A before the crying started

Fran & Christie do battle

I didn’t provide much to help my partner in our match, missing two easy shots that led to 5-6 in the first, and for the second time this season I failed to score a point for our team. Even the ever-reliable Christie Bradley, who always gets at least one point for us, failed to score. We managed to scratch out two points thanks to Toni Halski and Dan Moenning on Court 4, and Mike Curran and Sergio Rebolledo on Court 1.

Happy Birthday Jared: Fabulous Foursome in Climax

Denny & Jared

Speaking of Mike and Sergio, they could get another crack at Denny Rager and Jared Kalpin in the playoffs, but I’m not sure that they would want one. Mike and Serg lost another nail-biting third-set super-tiebreak to Denny and Jared, making it the second consecutive match they’ve lost that way…after having match points!

Mike & Sergio

In Friday’s match, the climax of the night, played by as skilled a foursome as there is in our League, you couldn’t have asked for anything more: Incredible shot-making, crowd erupting, tension escalating, and drama descending with the darkness over the entire kit and caboodle. What a finish!

Now, I’m not gonna blame it on the Mike’s friendship with Jared or anything (it was Jared’s birthday on Friday), but Mike and Serg were up 9-6 in the super-tiebreak, needing one more point to get the “W.” On one of those match points, my hands were poised to clap for our team’s victory as Mike smacked a high forehand volley crosscourt…

Jared is the "good hands" poster boy

Uh, I musta forgotten that Jared plays for the “Allstate” team, cuz that boy has some good hands on him! Jared reflexed a sweet half-volley pick-up and eventually won the point! Da Dawg barked, racquet smashed, and the writing was on the wall. Happy birthday Jared! Mike and Serg didn’t win another point, but the spectators and players who had stayed to soak up the scintillating entertainment that night all were winners.

Pro League Big Picture

FGCU Men's Coach C.J Weber in shades

So what does this all mean in the Pro League big picture? Well, in one fell swoop, we (HD)went from second to fourth, AD climbed into second, and JM secured third. AD and JM face each other in the final regular-season match of the season, and with a major upset, JM could end up playing BRA for the top spot. Considering that JM has trailed the pack all season, to be where they are now with a chance to play in the title match is an accomplishment.

AD Captain: Denny Rager

Seeing that we have yet to beat BRA, our next and final pre-playoff opponent, chances are that BRA and AD will meet for League bragging rights for the 2011-2012 Season. We will likely face off against JM in the avoidance match, i.e., avoiding the League cellar. I think I know how the Philadelphia Eagles feel. Heck, on draft day, I would have bet that we were the team to beat. Not! We, Team HD, are reduced to the refrain of failure: Wait till next year! But there's still a chance, so...

Undefeated Manuel & Tyler

There is still something for everyone to play for at Colonial Country Club on March 9th: Manuel and Tyler on Court 1 for Team BRA will battle Mike and Serg to retain their unblemished season (currently 8-0), I have yet to beat Luke and Frank at Second Doubles, and I’ve got to get the bitter taste of that last match outta my mouth! And of course, JM is trying to upset AD to make the “Title Match.” There are lots of storylines in the making at Colonial next week.

Scores from Lexington

Boston Retirement Advisors v. Johnny Malloy’s (JM won 3 of 5)

First Doubles