Tennis Talk
By Betty Olsen
(continued from February 6 Villager)
Second day of competition at Nationals was Saturday, January 25 with first match at 9:00am against Midwest. Villagers have 1 win, 1 loss from Friday. We needed 2 wins to be in the running for Sunday semi-finals. #1 doubles (Helen Varenkamp/Gail Tuft) won, but #3 doubles lost in 2 sets. #2 doubles were putting up a fight. We lost the 1st set, won the 2nd set which already took 2 hours. The 3rd set match tiebreak was a nail biter. We have our very own Sabalenka team member, but instead of a screech, she has a grunt, Mitzi Macon. We were ahead, then behind, then ahead, but finally lost 10-8. It was a thrilling match with great sportsmanship.
We made sure everyone got a chance to play with new pairings for our 1:00pm match was against Southwest (North Carolina) which we lost 0-3. By winning all 3 matches, Southwest qualified for the semi-finals with a record of 3-1. No team won all 4 of their matches.
Our final team dinner at the team house was a takeout Mexican chicken casserole dinner with rice, beans, tortillas, with lots of wine and beer, since there was no Sunday tennis. Sherry Benz shared her rap poetry with us after dinner which summarizes our National’s weekend.
“It would be easy to say we didn’t win, but look at the pool we were in.
They are the best of the best which makes us the best of the best.
Hard fought battles, some won and some lost, but in every one, we gave it our all, so we’ll boast!!!!
Kudos to all: Helen & Gail our work horses! Mariana and Mitzi for the entertainment! Julie and Cheryl for an amazing 3rd set victory. Could we bow a knee? Supreme efforts from Peggy, Sharon, Liz, Elaine, Pong, Sherry and Joy. Everyone contributed, atta Boy/or girl!! Regardless of the score, there was comradery, encouragement, love and more! Our fans to the east and the west affirm we are the best!
Our fearless leader, Betty, juggled 13 personalities with agility. No small task! Brett gave us primo coaching tips and we didn’t even have to ask! Betty’s Airb&b was party central, a place for us gather one and all. The Olsen daughters know hospitality and made our gatherings fit for the champions we are…so put a feather in your cap…we are Awesome and have made the Villages proud!”
