• Tag Archives gold ball

  • Fritz-Krakow, Lao, Newman, Barnes, Carter Win Singles Titles at Women’s Hard Court Nationals

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    The USTA National Women’s 35-85 Hard Courts were scheduled for October 11-17 (the same week the Super Senior World Team Championships were to be held) in Rancho Mirage, CA (Mission Hills CC). Draws are here.

    The turnout as usual was much lower than that of the other nationals (including the national 50-90 hard courts held in May in San Diego) due to the time of year, location, and conflict with the world championships.

    Mariko Fritz-Krakow won the four-player 35 singles, with Mariel Tinnirello and Rema Thyagarajan playing for second and third on Saturday (no score reported).

    The 35 doubles was won by Lauren Lancaster/Julianna Gates in another round robin. Lancaster/Gates had a great tussle with Fritz-Krakow/Francesca La O, winning 46 64 1/0 (9). Though finals are supposed to be a full two out of three sets, there were only four teams so none of the matches used a full format. The results aren’t posted for the other matches.

    Simmons/Lancaster

    The 45 singles was won by La O, who was unseeded (but not unknown). Unfortunately for top seeded Mariko Atoji, she played La O) first round and lost 64 64; La O won her semis and final with the loss of only three games a match. She beat unseeded Farrah Northcott in the final; Northcott took out #2 seeded Alissa Yee in the first round. Jennifer Beindorf ousted the #3 and #4 seeds to place third.

    In contrast to the upsets in singles, Debbie Spence Nasim/Tracie Currie navigated the 45s without problem, dropping one game in winning the gold ball. The won the final over Adrienne Simmons/Jill Gardner 60 61. The 3/4 playoff result is not posted.

    Judy Newman won the 55 singles over Jenny Rens Keller. Keller, the third seed, took out Shelly Works in a 3.5 hour match the day before.

    Simmons/Gardner won the 55 doubles over Keller/Newman and Works/Rainy Miller took the bronze.

    Judy Newman/Jenny Rens

    Andrea Barnes won the 65 singles and doubles (with Leslie Murveit). Barnes beat Pat Purcell in the semis and top seeded Lisa (Culp) Musgrave in the final. Murveit took third by default over Purcell (ill). Barnes/Murveit beat Musgrave/Kandy Chain 64 46 64 to win the title; Betsy Kuhle/Sherri Bronson placed third.

    Murveit/Barnes

    The 75 singles was won by Brenda Carter over Carolann Castell in a repeat of the 75 clay final. (Does this mean Brenda won the “gold slam” since she won all the national level 1 tournaments offered for women in 2021?) Susan Kimball beat Cathie Anderson in the 3/4 26 62 76 (12) [Not sure if a match tb was played here…not supposed to be one).

    Brenda Carter

    Castell/Kimball won their second gold ball of the year over Carter/Anderson 63 63 and had a tussle in the semis with Judie Louie and TD Andi Polisky, winning that one 57 75 1/0 (5). Heather Fiscalini/Brenda Winstead won the bronze over Louie/Polisky 36 61 1/0 (5).

    The 85s didn’t travel to play the event.


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

  • Chandler, Smashey, Fales Win Singles at National Women’s 40-89 Clay: Palm Beach Gardens Day 5, The End

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Draws are here

    Fran Chandler won another marathon battle today, this against Vicky Buholz, 57 61 75, rallying from 0-3 down in the third to win the 3-hour match. In the bronze medal match, I lost to Diane Barker 61 64 in 1:45 hour. Susan Wright, who drew Chandler in the round of 16, won the consolation over Terri Thyssen, her first round opponent.

    Vicky Buholz and Fran Chandler
    Carolyn Nichols and Diane Barker

    This tournament was unfortunately only an ITF 700, not 1000, despite having over 10 world titles in the draw! The downgrade is due to Europeans not being able to freely enter the USA for tourism.

    Kaysie Smashey beat Yulia Bolotova 62 62 to win the 40 singles. She combined with Nancy Hilliard to beat Boltova/Mamie Inoue 41 ret inj. Christen Barrett won the consolation.. receiving three straight defaults. Barnes/Chaplin, the #2 seeds took bronze.

    Donna Fales cruised to the 80s singles gold, and teamed with Dorothy Wasser to win the doubles. Next stop for Fales Wasser is the Individual Worlds in Mallorca in about two weeks.

    Many thanks to Trish Faulkner, Bill, Wendy, Andi and the staff and volunteers for the tournament for having us as guests this week.

    Next stop for me is Mallorca…very soon.


    📂This entry was posted in Gold Balls ITF ITF Seniors 1000 ITF Seniors 700 Level 1 Tournaments Palm Beach Gardens 40-80 Women's Clay 2021 Palm Beach Gardens, FL Tennis Travel Trish Faulkner USTA 📎and tagged

  • National 40-80 Clay: Practice Day

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

    Draws are here.

    The women’s tournament season in the USA basically skipped most of the summer for higher level tournaments (only 2 from June-mid-September), but now is packed! I flew from Houston on Friday night. It was an uneventful flight but I did leave my phone in the rental (I realized it pretty quickly…before I got on the shuttle), then went through security before remembering to do my “Clear’ biometrics…which had to be done in a different terminal. I had arrived nice and early though and was still early to the gate.

    Yesterday I had a tennis rest day but a busy one…laundry, packing for my international trip next weekend, flu shot, grocery shopping (always hard to dash in and out of Costco or even Trader Joe’s for that matter) for next week (three house guests)…plus getting ready for one guest who came in last night.

    Today I practiced with Erin Nevin from Palm Beach Gardens who also practices with Jenny Klitch. We practiced a lot during lockdown and it paid off for all of us. The courts at the Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center are really nice…new, hydro-courts and the clubhouse is also new and quite nice and beautiful to look at. Two years ago the clubhouse was a couple of temporary trailers, so this is quite an upgrade. There are two more stadium courts as well. It was breezy and warm but not too oppressive and the weather forecast for the week is mostly dry.

    I don’t play till Wednesday but then the tournament starts with a bang, singles and doubles.

    Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center (A public facility! 20 green clay courts plus some hard courts and pickle ball. )

    📂This entry was posted in ITF ITF Seniors 700 ITF Tournaments Level 1 Tournaments Palm Beach Gardens 40-80 Women's Clay 2021 Tennis 📎and tagged

  • Houston Day 7: Smashey Wins 35 Singles; Morris/Toney Win 45 Doubles

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Click here to see the draws and results. 

    Click here to see photos.

    Sunday was the final day of the 2021 Clay Courts in Houston, which was the 50th anniversary of this tournament. It’s always a great event but this year’s edition seemed better than every. Many thanks to everyone who made the tournament great, especially Sue Bramlette and the very supportive Bob Bramlette. It was fun and see you next year!

    Kaysey Smashey beat Alina Mihailescu in three sets to win the 35 clay singles.

    Jennifer Toney/Tammy Morris won the 45 doubles over unseeded Corrine Loeffler/Kristin Warren 76 60. Brandi Bratek, the third seed won the bronze.

    And that’s a wrap on the 2021 Clay Courts in Houston…coming up, the 40-80 Clay in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida!


    📂This entry was posted in Houston Houston National Clay Courts Houston National Women's Clay Courts ITF ITF Seniors 1000 ITF Seniors 700 Level 1 Tournaments Travel 📎and tagged

  • Houston Day 6: Julie Thu Blanks Field to Win 45 Clay; Kaysie Smashey/Thu Win 35 Doubles

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols 2 Comments

    Click here to see the draws and results. 

    Click here to see photos.

    Last night I flew to Florida for the 60 national clay but the Houston tournament is still going. The tournament was scheduled so the older divisions started on Monday, the 45s on Wednesday and the 35s on Thursday.

    Julie Thu won the 45 singles title without dropping a set. She beat #2 seed Luciana Roldan in the final. She’s an amazing player, lefty with double handed groundies. She pummels the ball after angling opponents off the court. Leslie Wargo mount an impressive comeback to take the bronze over #3 Dianne Lee 06 62 63.

    Julie Thu

    In the 35s, Kaysie Smashey and Alina Mihailescu are in the final which will be held tomorrow (Sunday) morning. Smashey and Thu won the 35 doubles over unseeded Linda Sheldon/Megan Wnuk 62 60. Brandi Bratek (3) will face Chiara Combs for the bronze.

    In the 45 doubles, the top seeds, Anne Frautschi/Susanne Zuniga defaulted to Jennifer Toney/Tamy Morris, the 3rd seeds; they play Corrine Loeffler/Kristin Warren who took out the #2 seeds Stacey Williams/Mariana Hollman and the #3 seeds, Rainy Miller/Vikki Dudley to reach the final which is Sunday. Miller/Dudley won the bronze by default over Frautschi/Zuniga.

    In 55 consolation singles, Tracey Thompson beat Paulson by default over Christine Paulson.

    In 65 consolation singles, Pat Purcell beat Frances O’Sullivan 60 60.


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  • Houston Clay Nationals Day 5: Klitch, Nichols, DeVries, Price Win Singles Titles; Buholz/Prejean Take 55 Doubles

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols 3 Comments

    National Women’s Clay Courts, Houston, Day 5

    Click here to see the draws and results. 

    Click here to see photos.

    It was another beautiful, sunny warm (but not humid) day in Houston Friday, and there were a lot of matches both in the main draw and consolation draws. 

    As usual there was a delicious lunch and breakfast for the players…on the menu for lunch were make your own burger (using hamburger, barbecued chicken or portabella mushrooms), various salads, green, coleslaw, potato, house made potato chips, sweet potato fries and the club’s awesome cookies. Again, I cannot say enough thanks to Sue Bramlette for directing the best senior tournament, full stop. 

    I had a 9am match, and Jenny K and I warmed up as usual at 7:30. I played Tina Karwasky, the 2017-9 champion in the 65s and won 62 63. Tina slipped during the second set and skinned her knee…she was icing it, her other knee and right shoulder after the match. The conditions weather wise were perfect..70s and no wind, but the extreme contrast between sun and shadow made play tricky at times. Bunnie Jackson beat Sherri Bronson in three sets to take the 65 bronze. Lisa Musgrave beat Andrea Barnes in three sets to place fifth. In the consolation to determine 9th place, Pat Purcell beat Leslie Murveit in three sets and takes on Frances O’Sullivan next. 

    After I finished, we took some photos and I watched Jenny Klitch, (#1 in the world in 55s) play Renee Saheim, an energetic lefty who is an excellent player. Klitch though played a terrific match, smacking winners left and right (no Renee hit seemed safe from Jenny’s returns) and making Renee run a lot. The points were great but Klitch won 62 62. Gayle Prejean took third. In consolation, beating Laurie Capra 62 ret. (Capra had a loooong match two days earlier, with kathy Vick, plus doubles), Tracey Thompson won a marathon with Heidi Gerger 67 76 (12) 63! She faces Paulson in the 9-10 playoff. Vicki Buholz won the 5-8 playoff over McWilliams (winner of the 5 hour 15 minute match against Kathy Vick yesterday) 61, ret. McWilliams was pulling up after every point. Winning a match against Kathy Vick this tournament was a pyrrhic victory. After singles Renee had the doubles final with Lori Gonzalez against Buholz/Prejean, the 55 world doubles champions. Buholz/Prejean dropped the first set but rallied to win and take the gold in three sets.

    Dori Devries won the Women’s 85s when Carol Wood had to retire after dropping the first set 64 with hamstring and arm injuries. Sheila Palmer took the bronze over Burnett Herrick 64 64. Laurie Leach was 5th.

    Julie Thu took very little time in beating Dianne Lee Friday..Lee didn’t play badly but Thu just kept hitting winners at the end of points, angles then line shots. She plays Luciana Roldan in the 45s final this morning. In 45 doubles, the 1, 3 and 4 seeds survived but the #2 seeds, Stacey Williams/Mariana Hollman lost to Loeffler/Warren.

    Kaysie Smashey started her tournament with a win in the 35s and faces #3 Brandi Bratek in the semis. Alina Mihailescu (2) faces unseeded Chiara Combs who beat the 4th seed when she had to retire at 1-1 in the third set.

    Rita Price won the 90 singles despite not having played singles for two years and being 95! She attributed her wins to Tai Chi and dancing…and she is a very good dancer. If you are on Facebook check out the video from the player party of Rita dancing to New York New York.


    📂This entry was posted in Houston Houston National Clay Courts Houston National Women's Clay Courts ITF ITF Seniors 1000 ITF Tournaments Level 1 Tournaments Travel USTA 📎and tagged

  • National Women’s Clay Courts: Torrid Tuesday in Houston

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Houston, Texas, USA

    Click here to see the draws and results.

    Click here to see photos.

    It was sweltering, torrid, hot, humid, oppressive, sultry…air temps around 100 with high humidity in Houston today. Not everyone survived the heat (to finish her match…no one keeled over). I warmed up again at 7:30 with Jenny Klitch and was soaked after just over 30 minutes of warm up. I played Debbie Burgess and was soaked again after about an hour of play. Jenny was less soaked but her match was shorter.

    There were a few upsets and some very good matches today. And as usual the club put on a great buffet breakfast (same options as yesterday, why change a good thing?) and today a very nice lunch (salad with the fixings of nuts, fruit, cheese and dressing), bread, butter, crackers, baked sweet potatoes, baked potatoes, all the fixings (sour cream, butter, green onions, bacon, cheese) and pulled pork, shredded beef and shredded chicken…and barbecue sauce (it is Texas)…plus lemon cupcakes and chocolate chip blondies for desert.

    The 55s had no upsets today other than Anna Zimmermann who had to withdraw due to illness. In doubles, Rainy Miller was able to get a replacement in doubles (Renee Heckler), thanks to the efforts of tournament director extraordinaire Sue Bramlette) and they won today. Most winning players were efficient in their matches today.

    In the 65s, Lisa (Cup) Musgrave took out #5 seed Leslie Murveit 61 76. The biggest upset though was that of energizer bunny Ginny Beneke (who played a long 3-setter yesterday) over Pat Purcell…actually it was 5-5 in the first set when Pat had to retire due to injury. And it was very hot. Tomorrow I play Andrea Barnes, a 62 63 winner over Frances O’Sullivan; Beneke takes on Sherri Bronson; Bunny Jackson plays Kathy Foulk and Tina Karwasky plays Musgrave. Musgrave and Kandy Chain, the #2 seeds, had a tough match today with Bronson/Foulk. The latter team was up 5-2 in the first set and had several set points at 53 and 54 before falling 76 63. There were some stellar lobs by Sherri Bronson but Musgrave added some nice volleys and drops of her own…it was a good match.

    Ginny Beneke, Brenda Carter

    In the 75s, doubles partners Cathie Anderson and Brenda Winstead had to play each other in the quarters and had a long, hot, very good battle. Cathie took the first set; Brenda blitzed Cathie in the second but Cathie has unbelievably good anticipation (and a killer backhand)…she sliced and dropped her way to a third set win. Anderson plays Castell next (who took a direct, efficient path to the semis); Brenda Carter faces Sue Kimball on the other half. Anderson/Winstead won their doubles match in straight sets to reach the final against Kimball/Castell.

    Cathie Anderson and Brenda Winstead right after their match, which was really a great match. They combined to reach the doubles final later in the day.

    The 85s and 90s began today too. They have four doubles teams and are playing a round robin; Carol Wood/Dori DeVries and Burnett Herrick/Sheila Palmer both won. Wood beat Herrick in singles and Devries beat Laurie Leach (there are two groups of 3 players; the winners of each group play for gold; the second place finishers play for bronze).

    Rita Price, Joyce Jones and Sally Fuller are playing a round robin in the 90s; Fuller is 97, Rita 96; Janet Hubbard got sick.

    Rita Price and Kathy Langer

    Kathy Langer came by today to visit friends and watch players…it was great to see her, it’s been years.


    📂This entry was posted in Houston Houston National Clay Courts Houston National Women's Clay Courts ITF ITF Seniors 1000 ITF Seniors 700 Level 1 Tournaments Travel 📎and tagged

  • Houston, National Clay Courts, Practice Day

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols Comment

    Houston, Texas (yes I AM in Houston),Sunday September 20, 2021

    Link to draws and results (once tournament begins); seeds are posted in “overview”.

    Link to photos album.

    This tournament was initially scheduled to be played in April but was postponed till now due to Covid. There are definitely a lot of restrictions to keep members and players safe: masks indoors, no use of gym (some bikes are outside), no congregation inside (even though it’s humid and in the 90s for the first couple of days), no use of lockers etc. All quite reasonable.

    Today I practiced early with Tracey Thompson, then watched others practicing and caught up with a lot of people I haven’t seen for a couple of years. That was fun! I also checked into the tournament where everyone was given a nice had, t-shirt and other fun gifts. The courts were in great shape today…they had lines which were not raised (so bounces off of them were playable as opposed to bounces which make the ball either roll on the ground, bounce at 90 degrees or bounce up over one’s head). It was warm and humid, even at 9am.

    Tomorrow I have a bye, will practice some and scout my potential first opponent (I play the winner of a match).

    The NWTO (National Women’s Tennis Organization) had a booth to try and get new members to join (for more information click here).


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  • 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.


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  • 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


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  • 2021 Gold Ball Champions

    Posted on by Carolyn Nichols 3 Comments

    This will be updated periodically during the year.

    Mixed 40-70 Clay

    • 40: William Bull/Marissa Chapin
    • 50: Mariana Hollman/Mario Tabares
    • 60: Kurt Chan/Susan Wright
    • 70: Susie Peiffer/ Andy Steingold
    • Men’s 55 Clay
    • Singles: Alfredo Rivera or Oliver Lorin (final seems to have been unplayed)
    • Doubles: Rivera/Scott Works

    30 Hard Courts

    • Men’s Singles: Philip Eilers (lost 2 games in tournament)
    • Men’s Doubles: Carl Clark/Anthony Perkins
    • Women’s Singles: Thresa Lampe (lost 0 games in tournament; played three 3.5 players; she is a 5.0)
    • Women’s Doubles: Lorie Zacharias-Verde/Fiona Rey
    • Mixed: Ryan/Christie Ward
    • Men’s 75/80 Clay
    • 75 Singles: Michael Beautyman
    • 75 Doubles: Donald Long/Geoff Moore
    • 80 Singles: Ivo Barbic
    • 80 Doubles: L Richard Fried/Arlie Eddins
    • Women’s 40/5060/70/80 Clay
    • 40 Singles/Doubles: Kaysie Smashey (with Nancy Hilliard)
    • 50 Singles: Julie Cass
    • 50 Doubles: V Barni/D Alvarez
    • 60 Singles: Fran Chandler
    • 60 Doubles: Vicki Buholz/Cindy Johnson
    • 70 Singles: Toni Novack
    • 70 Doubles: Cindy Babb/Sue Bramlette
    • 80 Singles/Doubles: Donna Fales (with Dorothy Wasser)

    Women’s 35/45/55/65/75/85/90 Clay

    • 35 S: Kaysie Smashey
    • 35D: Smashey/Julie Thu
    • 45S: Julie Thu
    • 45D: Jennifer Toney/Tammi Morris
    • 55S: Jenny Klitch
    • 55D: Vicki Buholz/Gayle Prejean
    • 65S: Carolyn Nichols
    • 65D: Bunnie Jackson/Betsy Savitt
    • 75S: Brenda Carter
    • 75D: Carolann Castell/Sue Kimball
    • 85S/D: Dori DeVries (with Carol Wood)
    • 90S: Rita Price
    • 90D: Joyce Jones/Trudy Kuckhahn
    • Husband Wife Hard Courts
    • 100: Altamirano/Barber
    • 120: Larry/Renee Saheim
    • 140: Results not posted
    • 150: Karol/Robert Beverley
    • Open: Results not posted
    • Men’s 75-90 Hard
    • 75S: Michael Beautyman
    • 75D: Dean Corley/Michael Stewart
    • 80S: L. Richard Fried
    • 80D: Not posted
    • 85S: Lester Sack
    • 85D: J Sanders/Jerald Hayes
    • 90S: Michael Claffey
    • Men’s 55/60 Grass
    • 55S: Alfredo Rivera
    • 55D: Andy Stoner/David Box
    • 60S: Mike Tammen
    • 60D: Richard Jordan/Tim Keegan
    • Men’s 70/85/90 Clay
    • 70S: Marc Mazo
    • 70D: Paul Wulf/Len Wofford (COMPLETE GOLD SLAM!) *******
    • 85S: Lester Sack
    • 85D: Gordon Nichol/Oz Winters
    • 90S: George McCabe
    • Mother/Daughter Grass
    • Open: Maddie/Katrina Driscoll
    • 60+: Felicia Hutnick/Teresa Kaisser
    • 70+: Eleanor Ford/Mary Mayotte
    • Father/Daughter Grass
    • Open: Andy/Evan Lake
    • 60+Addison/Lars Ahlstrom
    • 70+: Paul/Julie Cass
    • 80+ Paul Sullivan/Alina Murray
    • Men’s 75/80 Grass & Mother/Son
    • 75 Singles/Doubles: Michael Beautyman (with Les Buck)
    • 80 Singles: Bob Quall
    • 80 Doubles: William Wolff/Wilbur Jones
    • M/S: Kathy/Christian Settles
    • Men’s 30/35 Grass
    • 30 Singles: Christian Guevara
    • 30 D: Philip Myers/Matthew Taylor
    • 35 S: Nichols Bruner/Tyler Browne were in the final
    • 35 D: Bruner/Browne
    • Men’s 70 Grass
    • Singles: Dave Sivertson
    • Doubles: Paul Wulf/Len Wofford
    • 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 23 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    		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

    		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
    50Nov. 15-20
    Boynton Beach, FL    		 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
    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
    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

    📂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.


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

  • 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.