• Tag Archives gold ball

  • Rice, Nideffer, Dixon & Hillebrand Win Singles Titles in La Jolla

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Click here to view draws.

    Andrea Rice put on a dominating performance in the final of the 50 Hard Courts, beating top seeded Nancy Hilliard 61 62. Dina McBride finished third (winning the 3/4 playoff by default). Mariko Atoji finished 5th.

    Ros Nideffer won the 60s in equally dominating fashion, beating Fran Chandler 60 63. Vicki Buholz beat me 62 64 in the 3/4 playoff and the consolation is still ongoing. Ann Young edged Terri Thyssen in a match tiebreak 10-8 and faces Kim Dean who ousted Ginny Beneke in straight sets.

    Judy Dixon cruised past everyone in the women’s 70s, beating first time national singles finalist Barbara Hubbard 63 61. Barbara is a player from Hawaii who has been playing national tournaments for year, gradually improving from losing first or second round, to now, in the 70s reaching singles finals…a gold ball will follow some day! Cathie Anderson took the bronze and Carol Gay finished 5th; the 9th place playoff is ongoing.

    Charleen Hillebrand ousted Suella Steel to win the 80s; Hillebrand led 5-2 when Steel retired with a leg injury. Lorna Brooks finished 3rd, beating Susanne Clark by default (Clark pulled a calf in the 2nd set tiebreak of her semifinal against Steel).

    The 50 doubles final will be #1 Nideffer/Debbie Spence Nasim (who ousted Jenny Keller/Jen Dawson) vs McBride/Tracie Currie (who beat Vicki Buholz/Gayle Prejean).

    In 60 doubles, La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club members Una Davis/Lucia Romanov are in the final after beating Colleen Clery Ferrell/Tracey Thompson in a match tiebreak 10-7. They will take on unseeded Sue Pendo/Julie Juliani who ousted Julie David/Gail Warden.

    The 70 doubles semis were a bit odd though extremely competitive. The USTA has mandated a new format for doubles involving round robins leading to a knockout draw and has dictated that all doubles matches be decided by match tiebreaks. The USTA has mandated that the same format be used for all Level 1 (gold ball) tournaments. The top seeds, Kathy Bennett/Liane Bryson played Kathy Barnes/Carol Gay (3)…and Barnes/Gay won 63 16 76 (7)…they played a full third set due to umpire error. (The Level 5 men’s event is playing out the third set of singles and doubles and the same umpires are used for both events.) The #2 seeds Vicky McEvoy/Judy Dixon faced #4 Sue Bramlette/Cindy Babb and they also split sets (the score isn’t correctly reported but each team won a set) and then played a match tiebreak won 11-9 by McEvoy/Dixon. Both were great matches and it was unfortunate that an umpire error marred the results.

    In 80 doubles, Steel/Sheila Weinstock will play Roz King/Dorothy Wasser in the final while Lorna Brooks/Jean Ainger take on Hillebrand/Sheila Palmer.


    📂This entry was posted in 2017 Super Seniors Lake Nona ITF ITF Seniors 1000 ITF Seniors 700 La Jolla Level 1 Tournaments Tennis USTA Women’s 50-90 Hard Courts La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club 📎and tagged

  • Semifinal Friday at the USTA Level 1 Women’s Hard Courts

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Click here to view draws and results.

    Bill Kellogg/Carolyn Lane; Tina Karwasky, icing her knees; Andrea Rice (red skirt) & Dina McBride (white skirt) played a great 50 singles semi.

    The top seeds in the women’s 50 singles advanced by vastly different paths. Andrea Rice, the 2nd seed, had to rebound from a 6-0 first set drubbing to beat Dina McBride (3) 06 64 62. Andrea sliced and diced off her forehand, drove her backhand and showed off her excellent net skills in the win. Nancy Hilliard beat Marlo Carruth (4) by default (injury).

    60s: Ros Fairbank Nideffer (1) beat Vicki Buholz 61 62 to adance to the singles final where she’ll face Fran Chandler (5). Fran beat me for the umpteenth time. The first set was close but once Fran closed that out her errors disappeared and her aggressiveness and movement increased…she won a well deserved 64 60 match.

    70s: Judy Dixon (1) blitzed Cathie Anderson (5) not allowing Anderson a game. She’ll face Barbara Hubbard (5) in the final. Hubbard upset #2 seed Kathy Barnes earlier in the tournament and today beat unseeded Marianne Saibara.

    80s: Local star and club member Suella Steel, unseeded, took out #2 Susanne Clark. She’ll face a familiar foe, Charleen Hillebrand, who beat 2019 champion Lorna Brooks 61 62.

    50 doubles: Vicki Buholz/Gayle Prejean beat #4 seeded Deb Higa/Jami Jones in a match tiebreak; Jen Dawson/Jenny Keller (3) held off Julie Silveira/Mary Beth Williams 62 76; Nideffer/Debbie Spence Nasim (1) beat Christen Bartelt/Amy Alcini in a fun to watch match 63 62 and Tracie Currie/McBride edged unseeded Jodi Rea/Christine Paulson in a match tiebreak.

    60 doubles: Tracey Thompson/Colleen Clery Ferrell edged 2019 champions and the top seeds, Susan Wright and Shannon Gordon Carney 61 57 1-0 (7)…those match tiebreaks in this new doubles format are a challenge! Una Davis/Lucia Romanov (5) beat #4 seeded Tina Karwasky/Jennifer Shorr 3,4 and those two teams play each other in the semis. Meanwhile, Julie David/Gail Warden advanced via default (Kathy May pulled a calf); Susan Pendo/Julie Juliani advanced via default (Kathy Vick broke a bone)…

    70 doubles: Seeds 1-4 advanced without dropping a set to the semis.

    80 doubles are still in the round robin stage. I saw a bit of Roz King/Dorothy Wasser (2) vs Charleen Hillebrand/Sheila Palmer (4); the latter team were up 4-1 in the first and 4-2 in the 2nd but lost in straight sets.

    There were some good consolation matches today particularly in the 60s; Ann Young took out Maria Nunez 3,1; Kim Dean played great in beating Tracey Thompson 67 64 1-0 (8)…Tracey also played well, it could have been a main draw quarter or semi another time. And Shannon Gordon Carney edged Tina Karwasky in the 5-8 playoff and plays Susan Wright in the 5/6, another tough match.


    📂This entry was posted in 2018 ITF Super Senior Umag Gold Balls ITF ITF Seniors 1000 ITF Seniors 700 La Jolla Level 1 Tournaments Tennis USTA Women’s 50-90 Hard Courts La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club 📎and tagged

  • Upset Day at the National Hard Courts in La Jolla

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Click here to view draws

    It was quarterfinal day at the USTA Women’s Level 1 hard courts and there were a number of upsets.

    The 50s division did not have any upsets though. Top seeded Nancy Hilliard, #2 Andrea Rice, # 3 Dina McBride and #4 Marlo Carruth all advanced in straight sets, though Christina Kaus gave Carruth a battle before losing 64 63. Dina finished her 9:30 match at 10:05..very efficient. Hilliard has moved into the final when Carruth defaulted the semi later in the day due to injury.

    In the 60s, two “age-ups”, Vicki Buholz and Fran Chandler, took out #4 Shannon Gordon Carney (62 36 61) and #2 Susan Wright (62 63) respectively. Chandler though is a multiple world singles champion and Buholz has won her share of gold balls, so the upsets were minor ones. Ros Nideffer (1) held off unseeded (but a member of the 100+ gold ball club) Tina Karwasky 63 64 and I beat Kathy Vick (5) who retired down 3-1 40-15 with a foot injury (and we are at urgent care in La Jolla as I write this). I play Fran tomorrow and Vicki plays Ros.

    Updated…the visit to the physio ended like this for Kathy:

    Kathy Vick broke a bone in her foot when she was wrong footed in our match today…she’s off the court for a few weeks.

    In the 70s, upsets were rampant with only top seeded Judy Dixon avoiding the upset bug. Cathie Anderson (5) edged Carol Gay (3) in 3 sets; Carol Clay (4)retired down a set and 1/0 to unseeded Marianne Saibara, and Barbara Hubbard (5) upset #2 seeded Kathy Barnes in two tight sets. Judy plays Cathie while Saibara plays Hubbard for a spot in the final.

    In the 80s, 2019 champion Lorna Brooks (unseeded in 2019, and again in 2021) beat #4 Sheila Weinstock 64 64. Suella Steel upset #3 Roz King 62 in the third. Top seeded Charleen Hillebrand and #2 Susanne Clark advanced in straight sets. Hillebrand takes on Brooks and Clark will face Steel (a 97 gold ball winner herself) in the semis.

    The last matches of the doubles round robins are this afternoon, and the knockout quarterfinal rounds begin tomorrow.

    In men’s action, Bill Kellogg has sailed into the 60 & 65 doubles finals and 70 singles final (receiving a walkover in the semis).


    📂This entry was posted in ITF ITF Seniors 1000 ITF Seniors 700 Level 1 Tournaments Tennis Women’s 50-90 Hard Courts La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club 📎and tagged

  • USTA Level 1 Women’s Hard Courts: Day 1

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Tuesday May 11, 2021, San Diego, CA

    Click here to view draws.

    Today the Women’s 50-80 Hard Courts , the first seniors Level 1 of 2021 began on a cool day in La Jolla, CA. (The accompanying Men’s Level 5 began yesterday).

    No singles seeds played today in the 50/70/80 divisions but there were four seeds in action in the 60s. #5 seed Jennifer Shorr fought off a determined Ann Young (Pellow), winning a pair of tiebreaks to advance to the round of 16 where she faces Tina Karwasky, her doubles partner this week, for the 2nd time in a month.

    In 50 doubles, Amy Alcini/Christen Bartelt upset #5 seeded Shelly Works/Rainy Miller in a round robin match. #5 seeds Julie Silveira/Mary Beth Williams just got by Lisa Crisafulli/Brianna Sullivan 2-6 60 1/0 (12). [Match tiebreaks are being played in lieu of 3rd sets in doubles due to the number of matches in the round robins.] Jodi Rea/Christine Paulsen upset #5 seeded Lisa Taylor/Krista Oconnor. However the 1-4 seeds advanced without incident.

    In the 60s, Sue Pendo/Julie Juliani beat #5 Cindy Abel/Kim Dean in a match tiebreak. Kathy May made a sterling return to tournament play, combining with Carolyn Lane to oust Fiona Taylor/Sue Sprague with the loss of only a game.

    There were no upsets in the 70 doubles.

    And that’s a wrap for today. I play singles tomorrow morning…

    Always a pleasure to play at the LJTBC


    📂This entry was posted in ITF ITF Seniors 1000 ITF Seniors 700 ITF Tournaments La Jolla Level 1 Tournaments Tennis USTA 📎and tagged

  • 2021 Gold Ball Champions

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols 3 Comments

    This will be updated periodically during the year.

    • Father/Son & GF/GS Grass
    • F/S: Peter/Colter Smith
    • GF/GS: Lorenzo/Thomas Brunkow
    • Husband Wife Grass
    • 100+: Steve Geller/Susan Smith
    • 120+: Bunnie/Stewart Jackson
    • 140+: Pam/Greg Shepherd
    • 150+: Julian/Michele Rainwater
    • Open: William/Stephanie Wallace
    • Men’s 60/70 Hard Courts
    • 60 Singles: Bill Moss
    • 60 Doubles: Jon Tyrell/Ross Hessler
    • 70 Singles: Bob Litwin
    • 70 Doubles: Lenny Wofford/Paul Wulf

    Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Hard Courts

    • F/D: D/B Dunkle
    • F/D 60+: Brett/Tatum Buffington
    • F/D 70+: M/O McIntosh
    • F/D 80+: J Wise/J Curran
    • M/S: Diane Barker/Matt Hane
    • M/S 60+: Brenda/J Chidley

    Father/Son & Mother/Daughter Hard Courts

    • F/S 60+: Brent/Jerry Morse-Karzen
    • F/S 70+: Mike/Richard Noel
    • F/S 80+: Alan/Robert Croll
    • M/D: Dina/Jordyn McBride
    • M/D 60+: Julie Gerken/Brenda Chidley
    • M/D 70+: Carol Gay/Katy Bickham
    • Men’s 65 Hard Courts, San Diego, CA May 2021
    • Singles: Dan Waldman
    • Doubles: Ross Persons/Dan Waldman
    • 50/60/70/80 Women’s Hard Courts, La Jolla, CA May 2021
    • 50 Singles: Andrea Rice
    • 60 Singles: Ros Fairbank Nideffer
    • 70 Singles: Judy Dixon
    • 80 Singles: Charleen Hillebrand
    • 50 Doubles: Nideffer/Debbie Spence Nasim
    • 60 Doubles: Sue Pendo/Julie Juliani
    • 70 Doubles: Dixon/Vicki McEvoy
    • 80 Doubles: Roz King/Dorothy Wasser

    National Husband/Wife Clay Courts

    • 100: Bob/Michelle Williams
    • 120: Bunnie/Stewart Jackson
    • 140: Julia Barash/Arnie Resnick
    • 150: Not held
    • Men’s 35 Hard Courts, Surprise, AZ
    • 35 Singles: Tyler Browne
    • 35 Doubles: Browne/Nick Brunner
    • 40/45 Men’s Clay Courts, & 45 Mixed Fort Lauderdale, FL April 2021
    • M40S: Tyler Cleveland
    • M45S: Andre Cherkasov
    • M40D: Wojtek Bratek/Eduardo Pacheco
    • M45D: Guillermo Cosson/Sean Straley
    • 45 Mixed: Mary Dailey/Andrew Lake
    • Mixed Hard Courts, Palm Desert, CA April 2021
    • 50: Oren Motevassel/Caroline Vis
    • 60: Shannon Gordon-Carney/Jonathon Fears
    • 70:Tom Rettenmaier/Dee Williams-Horne
    • 75: Dean Corley/Suella Steel (97th gold ball for Suella)
    • 80: Dori DeVries/Wilbur Jones

  • 2021 Men’s USTA Level 1 (Gold Ball) Tournament Schedule

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols 17 Comments

    The USTA schedule (as of 11/4/21) for Men’s Level 1 (Gold Ball) tournaments. For 2021 and going forward the Indoors will no longer receive Level 1 (formerly Category 1) points nor will gold balls be awarded to the winners. Click here to see the official USTA schedule and to check for updates and cancellations: https://www.usta.com/en/home/play/adult-tennis/programs/national/adult-tournaments-category-i-schedule.html
    ITF Points: The Clay and Hard will be ITF Level 1000 events; the Grass will be Level 700 events.

    Age DivisionClayHardGrass
    30 Dec 3-8
    Lauderdale TC
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL    		 Oct. 1-3
    Plaza Tennis Center
    Kansas City, MO    		 Level 1
    August 14-17
    30/35Grass
    Philadelphia CC
    Philadelphia, PA
    35 Oct. 5-10
    Weston, FL    		Dates: April 29-May 2
    Location: Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex
    Surprise, AZ
    Click here

    		 Level 1
    August 14-17
    30/35Grass
    Philadelphia CC
    Philadelphia, PA
    40
    April
    Lauderdale TC
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL    		Nov 29-Dec 6
    La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
    La Jolla, CA    		New Dates and Location
    Sept. 29-Oct 4
    Agawam Hunt Club
    Rumford, RI
    45
    April
    Lauderdale TC
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL    		 NEW DATES: Oct 25-31.
    Westlake Athletic Club
    Westlake Village, CA    		New Dates and Location
    Sept. 29-Oct 4
    Agawam Hunt Club
    Rumford, RI
    50TBA Nov. 6-10
    Peachtree City, GA    		New Dates and Location
    Sept. 29-Oct 4
    Agawam Hunt Club
    Rumford, RI
    55 Oct. 2-8
    Franklin CreekTC
    Savannah, GA    		 Nov. 6-10
    Peachtree City, GA    		 Sept. 21-26
    Agawam Hun
    Rumford, RI
    60Oct. 24-31
    New OrleansLT
    CNewOrleans, LA    		 June 1-8
    60/70 Level 1 Hard Courts
    Irvine, CA    		 Sept. 21-26
    Agawam Hun
    Rumford, RI
    65Oct. 24-31
    New OrleansLT
    CNewOrleans, LA    		May 17-23
    Barnes Tennis Center
    San Diego, CA    		Dates: Sept. 7-13
    Location: Seabright Lawn Tennis Club
    Rumson, NJ
    70
    Level 1
    Sept. 12-19
    70/85/90Clay
    Pinehurst, NC    		 June 1-8
    60/70 Level 1 Hard Courts
    Irvine, CA    		Dates: Aug 17-23
    Location: Philadelphia Cricket Club
    Philadelphia, PA
    75Sept 26-Oct 2
    Virginia Beach, VA    		Sept 20-25
    Laguna Woods TC
    Laguna Woods, CA    		 Dates: July 22-26
    Location Agawam Hunt Club
    Rumford, RI
    80Sept 26-Oct 2
    Virginia Beach, VA    		Sept 20-25
    Laguna Woods TC
    Laguna Woods, CA    		 Dates: July 22-26
    Location Agawam Hunt Club
    Rumford, RI
    85Sept. 12-19
    Pinehurst TC
    Pinehurst, NC    		Sept 20-25
    Laguna Woods TC
    Laguna Woods, CA    		Dates: Aug. 23-27
    Location: Longwood Cricket Club
    Chestnut Hill, MA
    Click here to enter and view player list.
    90Sept. 12-19
    Pinehurst TC
    Pinehurst, NC    		Sept 20-25
    Laguna Woods TC
    Laguna Woods, CA    		Dates: Aug. 23-27
    Location: Longwood Cricket Club
    Chestnut Hill, MA
    Click here to enter and view player list.

    📂This entry was posted in 2021 Schedule ITF Seniors 1000 ITF Seniors 700 ITF Tournaments Level 1 Tournaments Tennis USTA USTA Tournament and Ranking News 📎and tagged

  • Finals Day, National Women’s Hard Courts, La Jolla: Two Marathons in One Day!

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment
  • Friday was finals day at the USTA National Hard Courts at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. I didn’t get to see much tennis because I was on court most of the day from about 11:30 till about 8pm. Susan Wright and I played our second marathon in a month, and it was a tough match. I came away with the 26 75 76(4) win in about 3.5 hours (was down 41 in the third but kept on fighting). Susan is as gracious in defeat as in victory, the sign of a champion. About 90 minutes later Robin Harris and I took on Susan and Shannon Carney in the doubles final. Three hours later Susan and Shannon came away with a well deserved 57 63 62 win.
  • Shannon won the 3/4 playoff over Cindy Johnson in a match tiebreak 14-12. Their tiebreak (they were playing next to us) seemed to go on forever, though I think their match was shorter than ours. Erin Boynton/Abbi Neuthaler won the bronze over Una Davis/Tracey Thompson. Kathy Vick took 5th and Erin Boynton took 7th. (The tournament had a quarterfinal playoff and then a 7/8 playoff for the quarterfinal losers who lost their first match in the playoff, a first.
  • Jen Dawson was the only double gold winner of the week, edging top seeded Andrea Rice in a grueling 75 75 win. I saw a little of the beginning of the match and it was fantastic tennis. Jen is a rock at the baseline and Andrea played athletic all court tennis. You won’t find two nicer competitors anywhere (Shelly Works, you have competition for this title in these two!). Dawson teamed with Jenny Rens Keller to win the doubles over Rice/Anna Zimmermann 62 62. It was Jenny Keller’s first gold ball.
    • Conan Lorenzo, Andrea Rice and Jen Dawson with TD Bill Kellogg, photo courtesy of Mary Johnson
  • Kristen Kepler won the 50 singles bronze over Keller; Deb Higa/Jennifer Lyons took the bronze over Kepler/Neuthaler.
  • Judy Dixon won the 70 singles with an emphatic 63 60 win over #2 seeded Molly Hahn. I believe it was her first singles gold ball. Liane Bryson/Kathy Bennett won the doubles over Dixon/Vicky McEvoy 64 63. Sue Kimball edged Carol Gay in three sets for the singles bronze but Carol Gay/Sheila Johnson came away with the doubles win against Hahn/Kimball to win the doubles bronze.
  • Lorna Brooks, unseeded, won the 80 singles 62 64 over top seeded Dorothy Wasser. She did it the hard way too, beating the #3, #2 and #1 seeds en route to the title. Brooks is from Wyoming now but used to live in Exeter, in the Central Valley of California and we used to practice together about 35 years ago… I knew how good she was then and so wasn’t too surprised when she won. She was one of the top 2 juniors in SoCal as a youngster (Sally Huss was the top junior). She played with her hair down, which amazed some of the spectators (it doesn’t move). Lola O’Sullivan/Barbara Oldfield were the surprise doubles winner. For Barbara it was her first USTA ball of any color! They beat Claudia Giacommini/Dorothy Matthiessen 76(4) 63 for the gold.
  • Burnett Herrick won the 80 singles bronze by default (injury) over Carol Wood; Herrick/Wasser beat Lynn Tietz/Wood for the 80 doubles bronze.
  • The 90s final is this morning at 9am between Rita Price and Jane Lutz, followed by the de facto doubles final (it’s a three team round robin between the two undefeated teams) scheduled for 1pm.
  • Draws are here.
  • Day 1 Blog
  • Day 2 Blog
  • Day 3 Blog
  • Day 4 Blog
  • Photos (more will be added).

    • 📂This entry was posted in Category I Nationals Grade A Tournaments ITF ITF Tournaments La Jolla Tennis Travel USTA 📎and tagged

  • National Clay Courts: Drama Free Thursday

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

    Draws are here.

    Day 1 blog

    Day 2 blog

    The 40-80 Clay Courts continued at the Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center Thursday. It was warm, breezy and SUNNY…no clouds at all for the afternoon matches, which made serving a challenge at times.

    In the 60s, the seeds all prevailed. I played Sally Smith from Charleston and won 62 62, but the second set in particular was much closer, just a couple of points and in the last game, just a couple of shots out and in by inches, in my favor. The sun was tough on one side for serving too. Diane Barker, Susan Wright and Kathy Vick all won in straight sets. I play Susan, my doubles partner, tomorrow and Diane plays Kathy.

    There were only consolation doubles matches today in all but the 80s (which is a round robin).

    In the 50s, the top four seeds all advanced to the semis in straight sets; Vesna McKenna will face Jenny Klitch while Julie Cass takes on Andrea Rice.

    Gwenda Ward continued her fine play in the 70s, upsetting another seed, Sue Kimball, in a tightly contested three-setter. She faces Toni Novack who bested Betty Wachob; Wachob commented that Toni played great and had improved her play…and of course, that dropshot… Judy Dixon faces Brenda Winstead in the other semi.

    In the 80s, Dori DeVries blew past Burnett Herrick and Inge Weber also won easily; Lola O’Sullivan won by default over Roz King (leg injury); the match of the day was between Carol Wood and Dorothy Wasser. Carol is from Maryland and Wasser from Palm Beach Gardens…which may have been the difference, because it was hot! Carol won the first set and had a match point or two according to O’Sullivan; once Wasser fended those off, Carol wilted, Wasser didn’t and she won in three sets; she takes on her doubles partner Weber in the semis while DeVries plays O’Sullivan.

    In doubles, Herrick/Wood ousted DeVries/King…

    Draws are here.

    Day 1 blog

    Day 2 blog


    📂This entry was posted in Category I Nationals ITF Tournaments Palm Beach Gardens, FL Tennis USTA 📎and tagged

  • National Clay Courts Day 2: Never in Doubt

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    It was a long day on the courts in Palm Beach Gardens today at the USTA National Clay Courts/ITF Grade A.

    Day 1 Blog

    Draws/results are here:

    I played Carolyn Franca…we knew going in both that Carolyn would win and Carolyn would lose today. I was the victor, rallying from 1-3 in the first to win 63 60. The result first posted online showed Franca winning which resulted in a number texts to one of the other Carolyn’s of “what happened” or “congratulations, great win” till it was sorted out. However, our match was still in the first set when Susan Wright had already finished, even though she played only one more game than us, winning 60 62. The tightest match played in the round of 16 was that between Kim Dean and Bunnie Allare, which went three sets. Allare prevailed. I play Sally Smith tomorrow at 12:30pm EDT.

    Our doubles prompted the second part of the headline…we played Vicky and Mary and were winning comfortably, up 5-2, 15-0, serving when it poured for a short while. We resumed 30 or so minutes later and everything changed. We did serve out the set ok, but that was the last bit of comfort we had till the last game of the match…in between…well we went down 4-1, leveled at 4-4, then lost 64…then it was tight in the third till 3-3, when they pulled ahead 5-3. We won the next game at love, then it was my serve…and we went down 15-40. We had a crazy point and Vicky had a chance to put away an overhead (though it was about her 7th one in the point…she was pooped!). Mary missed her return off my serve which could have been outpaced by a balloon punched over the net…then we won the next nine points, and I hit an overhead to finish off the match. Susan held us in…and an “Alexa” tennis joke loosened it up. We play the semis on Friday afternoon.

    In the 50s there were a couple of upsets of the #5 seeds; Kristen Kepler beat #5 Daniela Esswein, though since Kepler won the indoors last year it wasn’t a huge upset. Sandy Mills upended #5 Andrea Wohlschlager. Mills takes on #4 Vesna McKenna and Kepler faces #1 Julie Cass.

    In the 70s, Gwenda Ward upset #3 Molly Hahn and Barbara Hubbard took out #5 Leslie Pixley.

    Roz King withdrew from the women’s 80s with a leg injury allowing Lola O’Sullivan (who won her first round match) to advance to the semis.

    In 70 doubles, Vicky McEvoy and Judy Dixon survived the decimation of the seeds; Top seeds Liane Bryson/Kathy Bennett fell to Ann Loose/Gwenda Ward (having an awfully good tournament!); Donna Fales/Betty Wachob upset #4 Goodman/Winstead; and Hahn/Kimball edged Hubbard/Watanabe.

    Addendum: Bennett and Bryson retired mid-match vs Loose/Ward; Bennett fell and hurt her right hand/fingers, we wish her a speedy recovery.

    The 80 doubles is a round robin…Dori Devries/King barely avoided an upset, edging Sheila Palmer/Ingrid Rehwinkle 64 in the third.


    📂This entry was posted in Category I Nationals ITF NEWS ITF Tournaments Tennis 📎and tagged

  • DeVries Wins 80s Battle; Lutz Takes 90 Crown at National Hard Courts

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols 1 Comment

    Dori DeVries won a long battle against her friend and doubles partner Roz King to win the gold ball at the USTA National 80 Hard Courts Sunday. She battled back after dropping the first set 61 to win the final sets 64 76(5). The two played a month ago at the National Clay Courts where King won with the loss of only two games. Dori looked pretty down after that match and a bit perplexed, but obviously found another gear today. The duo won the doubles, beating Burnett Herrick/Dorothy Wasser to claim the title.

    Jane Lutz won her final round robin match to clinch the 90s title. Her toughest match was the first one, against Rita Price, which she won 75 in the third.

    In women’s 70s, there was another battle from behind to win. Carter/Wachob, the #2 seeds, lost to Bennett/Bryson 64 64 at the Clay. Here the second seeds reversed the outcome, winning 06 75 62.

    In 60 doubles, Robin Harris and I were up a set against Susan Wright/Tracey Thompson when it rained last night. Today we started at 9am and it was still a bit drizzly. We got started after a slight mist delay around 9:30 and won the 2nd set 63, even though I never held served the entire match! Robin though was only broken once today…no one else held serve. The conditions were heavy and slow. That and apparently we had stellar service returns! Robin played great and was everywhere on the court.

    There were quite a few consolation matches today and there are a few tomorrow in the 80s, but for me, that’s a wrap on this year’s national hard courts.

    Again, a sincere thank you to Bill Kellogg, Conan, Pierrette, Marilyn, Bob and the entire staff of the LJBTC, and to the Beach Club members for allowing this tournament to use all the courts.

    ◦ Court 1 matches are streamed here: https://www.ipcamlive.com/ljbtc

    ◦ Results can be found here: https://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=205807#&&s=7Draws21

    ◦ Photos are here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xE8s7qfPu3d6au33A

    ◦ Fans can tune-in to RadioTennis.com on Friday, May 11 at 9 a.m. to listen to live audio play-by-play of the day’s matches on Court No. 1. Tennis broadcaster Ken Thomas will provide the live web cast commentary at https://radiotennis.com/.


    📂This entry was posted in Category I Nationals ITF Tournaments La Jolla National Women’s Hard Courts, La Jolla Beach and Tennis Clubn Travel USTA 📎and tagged

  • Finals Set for Women’s 50/60/70 Singles & Doubles

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    It was another gorgeous La Jolla day full of lots of great tennis from 8am to after 8pm. The finals are now set for most of the women’s divisions.

    In the 50s, Andrea Rice ended unseeded Michelle Saunders’ run and Ros Nideffer beat Shelly Works to book a date with Rice in the final tomorrow. In doubles, #2 seeds Debbie Higa/Jami Jones overcame a slow start to beat #3 seeded Ellie Hammargren/Jennifer Lyons 60 in the third. Debbie Spence Nasim/Ros Nideffer’s slow start consisted of dropping 2 games in the first set vs zero in the second against Paulson/Rice. It will be a rematch of the 40 Hard Court final from last December in the final. As I left, Newman/Prejeen were playing Works Zimmermann in a 5-8 playoff match at a little after 8:30. Works/Zimmermann finally won it 63 in the third. They face Lane/Karwasky who beat Oconnor/Traylor in three sets, finishing around 8:30.

    Susan Wright continued her stellar play in the 60s, beating #3 seeded Leslie Airola Murveit without dropping a game, while Shannon Gordon Carney showed no ill effects from her 7 hours on court yesterday, beaing #2 seeded Tracey Thompson 75 61 to reach her first national singles final. Thompson/Wright advanced to the doubles final, edging Una Davis/Colleen Clery Ferrell 75 64. Robin Harris and I beat Tina Karwasky/Carolyn Lane 63 62. Robin played terrific tennis (to the surprise of no one). The marathon match of the day in this division was in the quarterfinal playoff between Andrea Barnes and Sherri Bronson, finally won 76 in the third by Bronson.

    In the 70s Brenda Carter won the battle of the Brendas, beating Brenda Winstead to advance to the final. Molly Hahn finally ended Betty Wachob’s marathon run, beating her 75 75. This final will be a repeat of the clay final from three weeks ago in Naples, Florida. The doubles final will be a repeat of the semis at that event. Leona Bryson/Kathy Bennett beat Elizabeth Barnhill/Barbara Hubbard and Carter/Wachob showed no mercy on Carol Gay/Sheila Johnson.

    The 80s moved into the semis without upsets, other than that #4 Carol Wood defaulted her quarterfinal singles match due to injury and Dorothy Matthiessen retired up a set and down 43 to Burnette Herrick.

    Next report will probably be on Saturday morning. We play at 2:30. If on Court 1 you can stream it online.


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  • National Hard Courts Day 3: Long Matches, Great Tennis

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Wednesday May 9, 2018

    La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, La Jolla, CA

    The National Women’s Hard Courts continued on Wednesday, which was quarterfinal day for the women’s 50 & 60s. There were lots of long matches, great matches and a few upsets too.

    Betty Wachob won another grueling match today over Gwenda Ward, 61 57 76 (5)…the same score by which she beat Carolann Castell the day before. Luckily though her doubles was shorter…she combined with Brenda Carter to advance quickly to the semis.

    Shannon Gordon-Carney also won a three+ hour singles, upsetting #4 seeded Colleen Clery Ferrell, a local tennis director and fan favorite, 46 62 64. Her doubles though was also long and grueling, lasting over three hours against Clery Ferrell and Beach Club member Una Davis. Colleen and Una won it 67 (6) 63 64, finishing around 8:30 pm under lights. Colleen/Una had multiple set points in the first set before succumbing in the tiebreak and fought hard to win the second…points were lasting 10, 20, 30 shots even though Una and Colleen were at the net more often than not. Cindy Abel, Shannon’s partner, was just returning to national play after a long absence but was lobbing and moving as well as ever and Shannon, who played at UCLA, is a fine doubles player. The match was played in great spirit before an engaged crowd on Court 1.

     

    Shannon Cindy

    Colleen Una

    Joy

    Shannon

    Colleen

    Una Davis

    In the 50s, Michele Saunders caused her second upset in a row, beating #4 seeded Alicia Rowley 76 57 63. With such long matches, it’s understandable why matches were backed up so long today! Saunders takes on Andrea Rice next while Shelly Works will face Ros Nideffer. Rice beat another Beach Club member and fan favorite, Jenny Rens in an entertaining match 64 64. Rice teamed with Paulson to upset the #4 seeds, Works/Anna Zimmermann in three sets to advance to the semis.

     

    Jenny Rens

    Jenny Rens

    Robin Harris and I beat Donna Drosner/Debbie Burgess 61 61 and take on Tina Karwasky/Carolyn Lane, who upset #4 seeds Andrea Barnes/Leslie Airola-Murveit 60 63. Colleen/Una face Tracey Thompson/Susan Wright on the other side of the draw.

    In the 70s, Brenda Winstead upset Mary Alice Pisani, the 4th seed 75 36 64. In doubles Carol Gay/Sheila Johnson ousted Molly Hahn/Suella Steel, the #3 seeds.

     


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  • Keller, Saunders Cause Upsets in 50 Singles

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    On the second day of play at the National Hard Courts at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club (lbjtc.com), there were some close escapes by seeded players but only two upsets, both in the 50 singles. Michele Saunders took out Anna Zimmermann, a 5-8 seed, 61 64 to advance to the quarters. Jenny Rens Keller, a La Jolla dentist and Beach Club member, played before a packed crowd on Court 8 against Ellie Hammargren. Keller, better known for her doubles prowess, proved equally adept at singles, taking out the #5 seed 46 62 64 in a grinding battle that lasted well over three hours. Hammargren had bloodied knees by the end….and a doubles match to play (which she and her partner Jennifer Lyons won handily).

    All seeds in the 60s advanced in straight sets, though Sherri Bronson had to work hard in the second set against Cindy Abel…she won 61 76.

    Betty Wachob, third seeded in the 70s, narrowly avoided an upset, edging Carolann Castell 61 57 76 to advance to the semis.

    Most impressive was the stamina of the top 90s players, Jane Lutz and Rita Price. Lutz is new to the age division and Price is the defending champion, and they are doubles partners. They battled each other for three sets before Lutz prevailed 61 26 75 in what may have been the defacto final of the round robin draw. They then teamed up to win their doubles match. All this tennis didn’t seem to slow down Price a bit as she was walking a talking a mile a minute after her matches!

    There was only one doubles upset: Andi Polisky/Leslie Zauher upset Cathie Anderson/Mary Alice Pisani, the 4th seeds, 62 62.

    Tomorrow is quarterfinal day in all divisions and there should be a ton of good singles and doubles matches.

    My doubles partner, Robin Harris and I won 61 60 today and play a 5-8 seed, Burgess/Drosner, tomorrow at 3pm. Most players seem to have gone to the barbecue on the beach this evening…burgers (meat and veggie), hot dogs, salads and deserts were on the menu…it was all very good and the setting was perfect.

    Robin Harris & Carolyn Nichols

    Tuesday Night Barbecue on the Beach

     

     


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  • National Women’s Hard Court Nationals, La Jolla: Day 1

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    The USTA National Women’s 50-90 Hard Courts are underway at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. For the first time, this tournament’s matches played on Court 1 will be streamed LIVE by going to https://www.ipcamlive.com/ljbtc. You won’t be able to smell the sea air but you will be able to see some great senior women’s (and later in the week, men’s) tennis.

    There were 30 teams in the women’s 50 doubles, and that division featured the match of the day: Carolyn Lane, returning to national play after a long hiatus/Tina Karwasky (who has never had a hiatus since hitting her first ball!) against Karen Ann Broe/Rainy Miller, two strong local players. Lane, from Arizona, adapted quickly to the much heavier sea air, and imposed herself on the match at critical times in each set, never allowing Broe/Miller to stretch a lead. Karwasky drilled returns to set up Lane; Miller was a wall especially on her returns and Broe served and volleyed beautifully. In the end Lane/Karwasky’s greater experience ruled, and they won 75 46 64 in a highly entertaining match on Court 3.

    Una Davis/Prentiss Van Den Berg a 5-8 seed, were upset by San Diegans Shelley Goodson/Karyn McCartney in 50 doubles. Una was happy to have made it to the courts at all because she thought her first match wasn’t till Tuesday.

    All draws and results can be found here.

    Below are some photos of a first round 50s match featuring club member Lucia Romanov Stark. You can see the court one camera (white) above the LJBTC logo.


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  • Klitch, Rice, Barker, Hahn Claim National Singles Titles Saturday in Naples

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols 1 Comment

    There were four singles finals on Saturday (Roz King claimed the 80s title on Friday). One match stood out though, which was the nearly two and a half hour battle between Susan Wright the #2 seed, and top seeded Diane Barker. It was a reprisal of the final of the world championships last year, and was another tight battle. Diane won the first set 64 but not before Susan rallied from 35 15-40. The second set went on serve (unusual in general in women’s tennis, let alone in the 60+ division) for the entire set with very few break points, though Susan did have a break point with Diane serving at 5-6, so also a set point. Diane played a brave point and eventually forced a tiebreak which she won 7-3, and with it another gold ball and national clay title.

    The 40s final was between Jenny Klitch and Lizl Kotz. Klitch had too much variety for Kotz, winning 61 61. The 50s final between Shelly Works and Andrea Rice was won 60 61 by Rice who played brilliantly. the 70s final was also one sided with Molly Hahn putting on a great display, slicing deep and attacking throughout to win 61 61 in her first national 70s final.

    There was no 40s doubles. The 50s doubles title was won by Klitch/Vesna McKenna 61 46 retired over Mary Dailey/Rice. (Rice had to catch a plane….matches started late on Saturday.)The 60s doubles was finished yesterday, won by Nichols/Wright. The 4th seeds, Kathy Bennett/Liane Bryson beat Hubbard/Watanabe to take the 70s 60 61. And the 80s finished yesterday, won by DeVries/King.

    There were also a lot of bronze ball matches. In 50 singles, Alicia Rowley edged McKenna 63 76. Rowley/Works won the doubles bronze too with a straight set win over Kruger/Waterlek. The 60s 3/4 playoff was won by Bunny Allare in three sets over Frances O’Sullivan. Jones/Neuthaler won the doubles bronze yesterday. Betty Wachob took bronze in 70 singles with a 63 60 win over Lesley Pixley and she took the 70 doubles bronze too with Carter over Carol Clay/Ellen Goodman in 3 sets. This match pretty much was the last of the tournament…it was nearly 3 hours long and ended around dinner time Saturday.

    The other interesting result was that between Toni Novack and Ellen Goodman who were playing for 5th in the 70s. Novack led 60 50 40-0, and made a wrong move, tried to stretch it out…and couldn’t so had to retire, leaving Goodman with the win. Never give up!

    Draws are here.

    Photos are here.


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  • King Crowned 80s Champ; Nichols/Wright Win 60 Doubles in Naples

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols 1 Comment

    Roz King is peaking at age 80. The San Diegan easily beat a former nemesis, and good friend, Dori DeVries to win the 80 national clay courts and then teamed up with DeVries to beat the #2 seeds, Dorothy Wasser/Inge Weber in the doubles final. DeVries said she had no answers today, that King is moving great and just playing really well. Weber took the bronze in 80 singles while Carol Wood/Burnett Herrick won the doubles bronze.

    In the 70s, Brenda Carter had to go to a tiebreak for the second straight day, this time in the first set, against Leslie Pixley. She won the match 76 64 to advance to the final, where she’ll meet the “new kid on the block”, Molly Hahn. Hahn ousted Betty Wachob in the semis. In doubles, Hubbard/Watanabe continued their fine play, beating Carol Clay/Ellen Goodman in straight sets to advance to the final. There they will face Californians Kathy Bennett/Liane Bryson, who took out top seeded Carter/Wachob in the other semi.

    Susan Wright and I played very well to beat Pat Purcell/Bunny Allare 75 60. We didn’t drop serve the entire match (probably a first for me on clay…well on any surface!). The first set was very tight, with several deuce games…we won the set when I poached on set point (not our first one) after Susan hit a nice set up shot. We won the big points in the second set, as Bunny and Pat had game points in at least three of the games we won. Abbi Neuthaler/Kim Jones won the bronze with a tough 3-set win over Sherri Bronson (who was playing her third match in 6 hours!) and Kathy Foulk.

    In the 50s, Shelly Works worked hard (and hit many many high moon balls) to oust top-seeded Alicia Rowley 63 57 63. The moon balls got under Alicia’s skin…I saw her break her racquet after losing one point, but the two had a nice handshake and hug at the net after the match. Andrea Rice beat Vesna McKenna 64 64 in a well played match to advance to the final against Shelly. In doubles, Rice/Mary Dailey will take on McKenna/Jenny Klitch.

    The 40s final will be Klitch vs Lizl Kotz.

    And finally, thanks to the tournament volunteers!

    Photos are here.

    Draws are here: http://m.tennislink.usta.com/tournamenthome?T=212073


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  • Carter, O’Sullivan Win Marathon Matches in Naples

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Frances O’Sullivan upset #4 seeded Pat Purcell in a very very long match today at the National Clay Courts in Naples. This is not the first time the two have played a long three setter, as the two bring out the best in each other. After splitting sets, O’Sullivan forged a 4-1 lead before Purcell rallied and the set fittingly ended in a tiebreak, won by O’Sullivan 9-7 (I think that’s the correct score).

    Purcell though rallied to combine with Bunny Allare to play a beautiful doubles match against Sherri Bronson and Kathy Foulk. They are now in the final against Susan Wright and me. We bet Abbi Neuthaler/Kim Jones in our semi.

    Susan Wright plays O’Sullivan next and Diane Barker plays Allare. Barker and Allare will be rekindling a rivalry which began as juniors in Florida.

    Toni Novack had three match points today against Brenda Carter, one in the second set and two in the third, before Carter prevailed in a third set tiebreak. These courts are soft, even for clay and Toni has a wicket dropshot which repeatedly nestled into the court for a winner. Carter said she didn’t know how she won, she was just trying to hang in there! Lesley Pixley beat Carol Clay in the quarters, which on the face wasn’t an upset (though Clay hadn’t lost previously to Pixley). Clay said Pixley played a fabulous match. Betty Wachob and Molly Hahn complete the final four in the 70s.

    Toni Novack

    Brenda Carter

    There was a marathon doubles match as well, won by Carol Clay/Ellen Goodman 76 in the third (of course)…they rallied from 2-5 down in the third to beat unseeded Ann Loose and Andi Polisky.

    The seeding committee did a great job too in the 50s, as the top four seeds advanced to the semi i singles and doubles. Andrea Rice, Vesna McKenna, Shelly Works and Alicia Rowley are in the semis; Works plays Rowley and Rice faces McKenna. Dailey Rice, Kruger/Wauterlek, Rowley Works and Klitch McKenna are in the semis. None lost a set though Dailey/Rice had to go to a tiebreak to beat Dybendahl/Esswein.

    Lizl Kotz and Jenny Klitch are in the finals of the 40s. Kotz beat Renee Alexis and Klitch beat Tangerine Manning 62 61.

    Roz King and Dori DeVries are in the final of the 80s with straight set wins over Inge Weber and Burnett Herrick respectively. DeVries/King upset #1 seeded Carol Wood/Burnett Herrick in straight sets and play Wasser/Weber in the final.

    There was an NSWTA (National Senior Women’s Tennis Assn) social today and player dinner. Photos are in the album linked below.

    And an update on Carol Gay…she was looking much better at the player dinner.

    Carol Gay

    Photos are here.

    Draws are here: http://m.tennislink.usta.com/tournamenthome?T=212073

     


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  • Naples Day 1: HOT!

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols 3 Comments

    I know those of you reading this from northern climes may not sympathize, but heat that sent at least one player to the hospital is nothing to take lightly. Carol Gay from San Diego ended up retiring against Mary Alice Pisani  (NorCal) down 2/0 in the deciding set. It was shortly after noon when the ambulance and paramedics arrived and took Carol away on a stretcher. She was suffering from the heat and cramping. . However, she’s much better now and back from the hospital after IVs. Carol Gay shown below in cooler conditions.

    Another very long match took place between Carolann Castell from Seattle and Rosi Fortna from Florida. It was a morning match (someone said 9:30 but I’m not sure), and they just split after 1pm! Castell finally won 26 75 62. Match of the day.

    All of the seeds are in action in singles and doubles tomorrow in the 60/70/80 and most of the seeds are in action in the 50s.

    The weather now is looking pretty windy and stormy out but the rest of the week looks warm but not too wet.

    We play tomorrow (finally!) at 4:30 pm EDT. I tuned up with a short but excellent massage from Joann (pink shirt). Carol Clay and Susan Wright are all smiles…Carol won her match today!

    Photos are here.

    Draws are here: http://m.tennislink.usta.com/tournamenthome?T=212073


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