As a lover of the game, and as one who makes a living from the game, I reflect on the number of court hours logged by the women of the LCWTL in the almost four decades the League has been in existence. The number is mind-boggling!
Although the court hours have continued to mount in the off season as the women prepared for the upcoming season, in less than two weeks, the official count begins again. Let’s take a look at what’s ahead.
Although the court hours have continued to mount in the off season as the women prepared for the upcoming season, in less than two weeks, the official count begins again. Let’s take a look at what’s ahead.
RATED DIVISIONS
Dynamo |
| Debbie Naumann & Judy Schafft of Park Meadow Passing Shots |
Last season, Park Meadow had both of its Dynamo teams place in the top three, with Michelle Rygiel and Holly McIntosh’s Passing Shots claiming first place and the Dottie Nurrenbern’s GGs taking third.Michelle now has Debbie Naumann as her partner in the cockpit, and Dottie has secured Jan Wheeler's documented leadership at her side.
Despite a few roster changes, both teams figure to be in the hunt for division supremacy again this season. Plantation, which finished second last season and was the Division Winner the previous season, no longer fields a team in the Dynamo Division.
Plantation’s loss is Paseo’s gain, however, as Paseo now fields two teams in the Division, one of which is comprised of the players that formed the Plantation team last season, and which handed the Passing Shots their only defeat of 2012-13. That team, Paseo
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| Maria Coleman & Wendy Hechler of Paseo Poachers |
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| Linda Boston & Rosie Gibbs of Cypress Lake |
4.0
The top three teams all return to the fray in the 4.0 Division. There have been significant roster changes to Bonita Bay’s division-winning team, including a change in captain. Kathy Schoenbaechler has assumed leadership of the defending champs, but last season’s captain, Joan Caes remains on board as a player. We can assume that Bonita Bay (BB) will contend again.
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| Landings 4.0 2nd Place 2012-13 |
Both Landings teams and Gulf Harbour (GH), under the new leadership of Lili Canfield and Deb Fairbanks, have added firepower, and CCRC has joined the 4.0 fray, so BB is likely to have a struggle on its hands again this season.
4.0-Minus
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| Renee Bailin of CCRC moves up to 4.0 |
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| Lisa Yeslow Park Meadow 4.0-Minus Captain |
3.5
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| Judd Park- Winning 2012-13 3.5 team |
There are two fewer teams in the 3.5 Division in 2013-14, but the top three are returning to contest the Division.
Second-place finisher Lexington brings new leadership to the table this season, with Deborah Newton and Sue Broy taking the helm. Last season’s captain, Judy Cushing, remains on the squad, and the team has remained relatively intact from last season, so Lexington should be in the hunt.
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| FMRC- 2012-13 3.5 |
FMRC, third in last season’s race, brings back Joy Dickey and Michelle Hamilton as captains, along with most of last season’s team. There’s a good chance that the Division Winner of 2013-14 will emerge from among the returning top three.
3.5-Minus
3.5-Minus
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| Donna Doyle- Co-Captain FMRC The Ace Team |
The 3.5-Minus Division picked up five teams in the off-season, fielding 21 in all. FMRC, which won the Division last season with Ginger Rasmussen and Connie Fennessey leading the way, have put two teams in the 3.5-Minus competition this season. However, the rosters of both teams are significantly different from last season’s winning roster. Marie Awrey and Laurie Schmidt will lead Netchix, while Kelly Gley-Leonov and Donna Doyle will captain the Ace Team. It will be interesting to see if either team has the success of its predecessor.
Cape Coral Yacht Club, which finished a relatively close second in 2013-14 under Pat Kemp and Venita Winslett’s watch, is also bringing a significantly different team to the courts. Mame Mouriz and Lisa Lehman are captains this season, and the team has to hope that everyone stays healthy or that some recruits surface, because they have a bare-bones roster of eight players.
The preseason favorite in the Division has to be
The preseason favorite in the Division has to be
Legends, which finished third last season with Cindy West and Kathy Wertley leading the way. Most of last season’s team is back, and there have been a few additions as well. With several new teams in the mix this time around, it will be interesting to see how this division develops over the course of the season.
3.0
The most populous of the rated divisions last season remains so this season with 22 teams vying for the top spot. This division also boasted the closest race of any division, with Terry Swenson and Katy Irlbeck’s CCYC team claiming first, slipping past second-place Breckenridge, captained by Susan Weir and Carol Hauff, by only six points.
Breckenridge’s second-place finish faced a stiff challenge from Fiddlesticks, with Annalisa Smith and Jolly McKenna at the helm. Fiddlesticks finished just two points behind Breckenridge to claim third. CCYC and Fiddlesticks are back, but the Breckenridge team has moved up. The Fiddlesticks team has new leadership (Mary Kay Sidell and Joyce Haas), and so does CCYC (Marlene Mullen and Jeri Vahrenhorst) and both teams have altered rosters.
With all the changes, the door might just be open for Heritage Palms (Marilyn Dorcak and Denise Vanellli) and Pelican Preserve (Candy Gody and Linda Garner), which finished fourth and fifth respectively last season. Both of those teams have changed captains and show significant roster changes, so this crammed division promises to come down to the last match of the season again this time around.
3.0-Minus
Division-winning Landings, which posted an impressive record last season, is back with two thirds of its team intact, but under new leadership (Sharon Ratigan and Susan Wotton). Former captains, Bonnie Mohlman and Kathy Knight, have moved up to 3.0 this season. CCYC, which finished second last season with new captains Karen Ball and Sarah Penta. More than half of last year’s CCYC team is returning, and several new players have joined the team.
Third-place finisher, Heritage Palms is also back in the race, but their captains of a year ago, Colleen Praeger and Judy Otto, have also moved on. This year’s team will have Gwen Brerestecki and Mary Hafertepe leading the way, along with a full complement of 16 players.
The Division has added two teams to its list this season, with Breckenridge (Fia Corona Pfeifer and Beverly Sherwood), Gulf Harbour (Karen Brady and Pia Davidson), and Legends (Alice Pannoni and Yvonne Simon) as new teams in the field.
2.5
The same cast of characters will contend for the 2.5 Division. Charlie Cornog and Debra Rogan will take over captain’s duties from Karen Brady and Pia Davidson for defending champion Gulf Harbour. Second-place Legends has also changed leadership, with Diane Cesarini, Linda Lowery and Carol Sarosik taking the helm from Jackie Devita and Judy Burget.
Connie Saville and Laurie Ward are back as captains of third-place Landings, but, Marcia Howard will co-captain the team in place of Corinne Howey this time around. Last year’s squad is pretty much intact with a few new additions, so the Landings should be among the favorites in this division.
Platinum
Park Meadow’s Platinum ladies, captained by Jan Wheeler and Dottie Nurrenbern, were clearly the cream of the crop in the Platinum Division last season, but second-place Paseo, captained by Joeleen Ralston and Debby Harrington, were not far behind in second. The Park Meadow team returns just about everyone this season, including the captains, but Paseo has seen a few shifts in its roster. Captain Harrington returns, but she is now accompanied by Ann Deming.
Third-Place Cypress has added a number of new players to its roster this season, and while Rosie Gibbs returns as captain, Paula Houghton has taken Carla Murray’s place as co-captain. The Division has one fewer team this season, as The Landings has consolidated its two teams. That consolidation should make The Landings, led by Barb Pierson and Sandy Levy, a solid contender for the top spot in 2013-14.
Gold
The top three finishers in last season’s Gold Division, the second largest of the senior divisions with 21 teams, are back. Pat Howell’s division-winning CCRC team lost Barbara Maillet as co-captain, but Trudi Dean has stepped in to replace her. The majority of the team has returned from last season, so CCRC should contend again.
Gulf Harbour, always a contender in this division is likely to be in the mix again this season. Long time captain Norma Schuyler is back, only this time around, instead of Carlotta Clarke leading the way with her, she will have Sue McNear at her side. With multiple wins over the eventual Division Winner last season, and most of the team back, Gulf Harbour should be an even money bet to be right there are season’s end.
Third-place finisher, FMRC led by Eileen Reynolds and Susan Coppin last season has added a number of new players, including new co-captain Janice Layman, and have a new name: Net Force Two. Among their toughest competition may be their sister FMRC Gold team, the newly formed Ace Kickers, captained by Missy Beck and Jennifer Boulton. At least one of these two teams figure to be among the leaders at season’s end.
Lexington stands alone among the teams I have reviewed thus far, in fielding the identical roster that finished just two points out of third last season. I would imagine that Captain Linda May and Co-Captain Zenda Beeching should have a leg up on the competition with intimate knowledge of their team. Anyone want to give me odds that this team finishes in the top three in 2013-14? I am looking forward to reporting on this division.
Silver
For years the most populous senior division, Silver now trails Copper (22 teams) and gold in that category. However, with 16 teams, there still is plenty of competition to go around.
In a season-long battle, Plantation finished strong to emerge atop the Division, with Jan Clayton shouldering the leadership role by herself. This season, Plantation and third-place finisher Verandah are no longer in the mix but last season’s second-place Gateway is.
Rosanne Ziegler and Marilee Straza hold the helm for Gateway and bring a full 16-player complement to the table this season. There have been a number of changes to the team, but the core appears to be ready to resume the chase for division honors.
With two of the top teams from last season out of the chase, Gulf Harbour, captained by Daun Desak and Georganne Williams, should challenge for the top spot, given that they have consolidated two competitive teams to form one good one. The Landings was competitive for most of last season and they return to the fray as well, with team veterans Muriel Hackney and Georgene Hildebrand leading the way.
Copper
After a successful inaugural season in 2012-13 under
the leadership of President Fia Corona Pfeifer and Judy Begin, the Copper Division leads the way again with 22 teams, with Dorie Hill assuming the presidency and Judy serving as Vice President again.
The race for Copper supremacy went right down to the final matches, when all three top spots were decided. Heritage Palms Hotshots, captained by Colleen Roberson and Denise Vannelli, claimed the historic victory, and returns this season under Marsha Wilson and Phyllis Welch’s leadership. Last season’s second-place Forest, led by Jeri Carley and Anita Russell, will also contest the Division again, and new captains Bobbee Gabelmann and Phyllis Dekeyser will team into battle.
Lexington, claimed the third spot last season with Judy Bucaria and Sue Deters at the helm, and they were in the thick of the race until the wand as well. Judd Park, which barely finished out of the top three with Sharon Benner and Harriet Bohannon as captains, will have the same leadership, but quite a few roster changes. Only time and play will tell us whether the changes have enhanced Judd’s Copper fortunes.
I know from personal experience that The Hideaway’s
Copper team led by Bert Ann Haas and Terri Turner has been working hard this summer and has added some key components to the team. If everyone stays healthy, The Hideaway should improve upon their middle-of-the-pack finish of a year ago.
Bronze
Adding two teams this season to tie Copper for the most (22) teams in the LCWTL, the Bronze Division will be as competitive as ever. Lexington Net Worthy, captained by Barbara Dailey and Helen Robinson last season, finished comfortably ahead of the competition, and new captains, Claire Taylor and Pat Sgarlata will be seeking a repeat.
Second-place finisher, Herons Glen led by Bev
Arbizzani and Donna Nixon’s, has been in the top two the last two seasons (1st in 2011-12), and there’s no reason to suppose there will be a drop off with the same leadership in place and most of last year’s team returning.
Pelican Preserve (PP), which occupied the third spot, made a valiant run at season’s end Dorothy Walsh and Marge Schermerhorn as captains. Linda Garner joins Ms. Walsh in leading the attempt to climb a rung or two of the Bronze ladder this season. All but two players return from last season’s fruitful effort so PP should be a contender.
3.0
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| Breckenridge 3.0- 2nd Place 2012-13 |
Breckenridge’s second-place finish faced a stiff challenge from Fiddlesticks, with Annalisa Smith and Jolly McKenna at the helm. Fiddlesticks finished just two points behind Breckenridge to claim third. CCYC and Fiddlesticks are back, but the Breckenridge team has moved up. The Fiddlesticks team has new leadership (Mary Kay Sidell and Joyce Haas), and so does CCYC (Marlene Mullen and Jeri Vahrenhorst) and both teams have altered rosters.
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| The Hideaway 3.0 2012-13 |
3.0-Minus
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| Landings 3.0- Minus Winner 2012-13 |
Third-place finisher, Heritage Palms is also back in the race, but their captains of a year ago, Colleen Praeger and Judy Otto, have also moved on. This year’s team will have Gwen Brerestecki and Mary Hafertepe leading the way, along with a full complement of 16 players.
The Division has added two teams to its list this season, with Breckenridge (Fia Corona Pfeifer and Beverly Sherwood), Gulf Harbour (Karen Brady and Pia Davidson), and Legends (Alice Pannoni and Yvonne Simon) as new teams in the field.
2.5
The same cast of characters will contend for the 2.5 Division. Charlie Cornog and Debra Rogan will take over captain’s duties from Karen Brady and Pia Davidson for defending champion Gulf Harbour. Second-place Legends has also changed leadership, with Diane Cesarini, Linda Lowery and Carol Sarosik taking the helm from Jackie Devita and Judy Burget.
Connie Saville and Laurie Ward are back as captains of third-place Landings, but, Marcia Howard will co-captain the team in place of Corinne Howey this time around. Last year’s squad is pretty much intact with a few new additions, so the Landings should be among the favorites in this division.
SENIOR DIVISIONS
Platinum
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| Dottie Nurrenbern & Jan Wheeler of Park MeadoW |
Third-Place Cypress has added a number of new players to its roster this season, and while Rosie Gibbs returns as captain, Paula Houghton has taken Carla Murray’s place as co-captain. The Division has one fewer team this season, as The Landings has consolidated its two teams. That consolidation should make The Landings, led by Barb Pierson and Sandy Levy, a solid contender for the top spot in 2013-14.
Gold
The top three finishers in last season’s Gold Division, the second largest of the senior divisions with 21 teams, are back. Pat Howell’s division-winning CCRC team lost Barbara Maillet as co-captain, but Trudi Dean has stepped in to replace her. The majority of the team has returned from last season, so CCRC should contend again.
Gulf Harbour, always a contender in this division is likely to be in the mix again this season. Long time captain Norma Schuyler is back, only this time around, instead of Carlotta Clarke leading the way with her, she will have Sue McNear at her side. With multiple wins over the eventual Division Winner last season, and most of the team back, Gulf Harbour should be an even money bet to be right there are season’s end.
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| Pauline Smith & Missy Beck |
Lexington stands alone among the teams I have reviewed thus far, in fielding the identical roster that finished just two points out of third last season. I would imagine that Captain Linda May and Co-Captain Zenda Beeching should have a leg up on the competition with intimate knowledge of their team. Anyone want to give me odds that this team finishes in the top three in 2013-14? I am looking forward to reporting on this division.
Silver
For years the most populous senior division, Silver now trails Copper (22 teams) and gold in that category. However, with 16 teams, there still is plenty of competition to go around.
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| Plantation Silver Division Winners 2012-13 |
Rosanne Ziegler and Marilee Straza hold the helm for Gateway and bring a full 16-player complement to the table this season. There have been a number of changes to the team, but the core appears to be ready to resume the chase for division honors.
With two of the top teams from last season out of the chase, Gulf Harbour, captained by Daun Desak and Georganne Williams, should challenge for the top spot, given that they have consolidated two competitive teams to form one good one. The Landings was competitive for most of last season and they return to the fray as well, with team veterans Muriel Hackney and Georgene Hildebrand leading the way.
Copper
After a successful inaugural season in 2012-13 under
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| Judy Begin & Fia Corona Pfeifer |
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| The Forest Copper 2nd Place 2012-13 |
Lexington, claimed the third spot last season with Judy Bucaria and Sue Deters at the helm, and they were in the thick of the race until the wand as well. Judd Park, which barely finished out of the top three with Sharon Benner and Harriet Bohannon as captains, will have the same leadership, but quite a few roster changes. Only time and play will tell us whether the changes have enhanced Judd’s Copper fortunes.
I know from personal experience that The Hideaway’s
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| Bonnie Bogli, Bert Ann Haas, & Lee Cross of Hideaway Copper team |
Bronze
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| Lexington Net Worthy- Bronze Winners 2012-13 |
Second-place finisher, Herons Glen led by Bev
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| Breckenridge Bronze Sportsmanship Award Winners |
Pelican Preserve (PP), which occupied the third spot, made a valiant run at season’s end Dorothy Walsh and Marge Schermerhorn as captains. Linda Garner joins Ms. Walsh in leading the attempt to climb a rung or two of the Bronze ladder this season. All but two players return from last season’s fruitful effort so PP should be a contender.
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| Bert Ann Haas, Pearle Warren & Pat Ben-Dov |
I’m happy to note that The Hideaway is one of the new teams in the Division, and I expect captains Pearle Warren and Pat Ben-Dov to lead a game group of ladies into each contest. If everyone stays healthy, we should make life difficult for our opponents.
60-Plus
60-Plus
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| Deb Vollrath & Sandy Devins playing 60-Plus for Cypress Lake in 2012-13 |
Last, but certainly not least, is the most senior of the senior divisions, 60-Plus. With no restrictions on ratings, you find some of the most talented performers in this division.
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| Laurie Schmidt & Katie Keen playing for FMRC 60-Plus in 2012-13 |
Donna McVety and Karen Keeling led their veteran FMRC crew to the top of the 11-team heap in 2012-13, and I know that she and Karen, with new Co-Captain Katie Keen, will be trying for a “four-peat” this season with their Court Chix team.
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| Cross Creek at Hideaway 60-Plus 2nd Place 2012-13 |
However, you know the saying, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,” right? Well, last season’s second-place finisher, Cross Creek at Hideaway, led by Debra Beattie, is now playing out of FMRC, so if there were any secrets to victory for the Court Chix, they will surely be uncovered. Debra now has the help of Chris Hillermeier as the Good Time Girls of FMRC try to unseat their sister team.
A new threat to Court Chix dominance could come from a consolidated Gulf Harbour team with Teresa Crocker and Jackie Jewell leading the way. The Landings Panthers have added some firepower to what used to be Landings 60+A, and could pose a threat as well. One thing we know for certain is that there will be some good tennis played in this division.
The Last Words
Wow! You made it! Can't believe you hung in there all the way to the end :). Can't believe I hung in there either...In any event, there's little doubt that the LCWTL is poised for another tremendous season, and I am anticipating the ride. In addition to vying for the top spot in their divisions, I hope everyone will be aiming for the most important award: Sportsmanship!
Before I go, just a little hint that it would be great to be able to include team pictures whenever I write about a team, so if you take pictures during the 2013-14 season and would like them posted, please send them over. I'm wishing all the ladies of the LCWTL good health and a good time on the courts this season. Until next, game, set, match...T. A.
A new threat to Court Chix dominance could come from a consolidated Gulf Harbour team with Teresa Crocker and Jackie Jewell leading the way. The Landings Panthers have added some firepower to what used to be Landings 60+A, and could pose a threat as well. One thing we know for certain is that there will be some good tennis played in this division.
The Last Words
Wow! You made it! Can't believe you hung in there all the way to the end :). Can't believe I hung in there either...In any event, there's little doubt that the LCWTL is poised for another tremendous season, and I am anticipating the ride. In addition to vying for the top spot in their divisions, I hope everyone will be aiming for the most important award: Sportsmanship!
Before I go, just a little hint that it would be great to be able to include team pictures whenever I write about a team, so if you take pictures during the 2013-14 season and would like them posted, please send them over. I'm wishing all the ladies of the LCWTL good health and a good time on the courts this season. Until next, game, set, match...T. A.
Good write up.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea!
ReplyDelete