Summer 2011: The Quest for Nationals

I really don't care what you were told when you agreed to join Kristine Sheehan's team.  She probably used words like "fun" and "girlfriends" and maybe even things like, "we just like to play...it doesn't even matter what the scores are."  Kristine is like that. The fact of the matter is that you were recruited for a singular reason: to secure a National Championship. Under the coaching of Sharon Kamens, who is so formidable she only types in caps, we begin the journey together.  Hailing from the Northeast and representing Cedardale Blue are Leslie I-live-for-youth-hockey Bisson, Lisa Brennan, Thong Pritchard, Ginger yeah, I own my own tennis court Gatewood, Ann get-yer-own-accent Tavener, Susan justouttaSPARKrehab Dwyer, Sarah Cutts, Jeannie I was NOT a sister in The Fighter DeLuca, Betsey Guest-Natale, Nancy Greeley, Dorian Tiny Dancer Brown, the wolf in sheep's clothing Captain Kristine Sheehan, and your blogger at large.  So, clear the schedules, hydrate, stretch with or without a pole, and get your game face on:  the time is NOW.

Fake, Stay, or Go

Those are your choices, Ladies.  What do you say we mix it up at the Willows this Friday and pull out a few hand signals?  I'm personally fond of Evan's "yack, yack, yack" quacking duck sign over the simpler peace or V sign for FAKE, but that's up to you.  Dorian and I played against a pair last year who yelled out codes like they were about to snap a football, which was mildly amusing.  Not as amusing as mid-set underskirt spritzing, but we'll take the humor where we can find it.  We've dominated and been dominated by the Willows in the past, so let's decide now that we're going to bring our game to them...

Cedardale vs. Northeastern

The warm torrential rain created some pretty sticky indoor conditions at chez Cedardale this week, which may have contributed to a host of early-season, blogworthy antics. You see, I have discovered that indoor humidity makes everyone, well, just a little bit edgy.  Bad hair and excessive perspiration aside, it seems that the ordinary stuff, the more mundane behaviors, tend to make people lose all sense of reason.  Here's what I learned today during our friendly, suburban competition: 1) drinking too much water can irritate people; 2) it does not matter if you are legally allowed 90 seconds to do whatever floats your boat between sets *refer again to 1; 3) if you choose to consume more water owing to the humidity or for personal health reasons, do not expect tolerance for a between game bathroom break even if you can be back in 90 seconds; 4) if your glasses fog up during match play, too damn bad; 5) if you lose the match, shaking hands is optional; 6) you can make an outrageous line call that baffles four onlooking players and a coach and still feel your call was "spot on"; and 7) you think you can smart off to DeLuca and get away with it. Now, that'll do!

At the end of the day, we added three of the eight possible points to our team standing. Dorian and I pulled in a 4-6, 6-3, 2-1 victory from the top four courts, while Margaret and Suzanne secured a 6-2, 3-6, 3-0 win. Chris and Vicki kept their cool amidst tough conditions and played an impressive match with a 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 winning drive. Well done, everyone!!

Non sequitur alert:  I have discovered that our unassuming Margaret is well-known in these parts, so don't let her humility fool you.  Not only is she a world-class backboard like Fran, but I've heard several people refer to her in amazement and appreciation as a miracle worker who truly possesses healing hands.  So, whatever ails ye, we've got it covered. Know that Dorian's essential oils, Margaret's healing specialty, Kristine's pharmaceuticals, and my rhetorical savvy and comic relief remain ever at your service.  And if you need to kick someone's a$$ when the humidity overtakes reason and accountability, I know who I'd call (hint: rhymes with PeLuca).

Cedardale vs. Cedardale

There's always a little buzz in the air when we play our fellow club members in a match. Remember, though, it's the pros and not the Cedardale tennis women who kick-start the inter club rivalry (yeah, New Andrew, you were talkin' smack at our Monday practice!). Why, then are we subjected to the finger-wagging eyeball from Adam when we act on it?  Apparently, it's institutionally frowned upon or "not ladylike" to clap too loud, flash your teammates, or challenge the line calls of same-club opponents.  I just don't get it.  Evan has been complaining about Ryan's foot faulting for years, and the guys routinely fist pump, argue, grunt, brag, and saunter on and off the court like middle-aged Bryan brothers and not one word is said.  Newsflash, people: women want to win, too.  Why should we suppress all emotion and enthusiasm while playing or spectating?  Like my partner says, "If ya see something, say something!"  And so I will.

Congratulations to each and every one of us for taking four courts plus one set for the team win! Our top four courts struggled to take the relief off the rest of the team bringing in only one match point.  Dorian and I pulled in a 6-4, 6-1 straight set victory, leaving it up to courts five through eight to win every court for a team win. And win they did. Ginger and Laura N., Chris and Vicky, and our fabulous subs Erin and Steph secured three match points to tie up the score.  Props to all of us for keeping our numbers up along the way because at a four/four tie, it came down to counting overall sets.  We rocked the W by only one set, ladies, improved our team record, and (more importantly!!!) saved ourselves and Coach Evan from New Andrew's anemic smirking come Monday morning.  Thank god (or someone).

And, about this playah spotlight thing.

Several of you have asked me about the USTA Player Spotlight since my partner, the Divine Ms. D, released it to the bloody universe. In fact, last Friday at the club I had one woman congratulate me on the honor and then ask in a sideways manner, "What did you do to get that?"  Now, I'm not one to take offense to much, but I can tell you this, Dorian (who is current in her knowledge of all things related to brazen hussies) would never partner with anyone of ill-repute, much less someone from the "common element." It was Tom Flanagan from USTA who contacted me asking if I'd answer a few questions and send him a few tennis shots for the profile.   I complied.  That's all I did.  I would have appreciated him not cropping out the racket that was in my hand in the original shot considering how the photo makes me look like a total nitwit without it! And so it goes...Damn paparazzi.

http://www.newengland.usta.com/kathy_nielsen-dube-league_tennis_spotlight/

**PS If you'd like to nominate someone you know for the Player Spotlight, just visit the USTA New England site.

Our captain has spoken...

It matters not if your opponent at this weeks' interclub match is your friend, neighbor, masseuse, drug dealer, or the keeper of your "it's just the girls" vacation secrets.  We want a team W and the more points we take the better.  Bring your A game, your winning attitude, and, for the love of all that's sacred, do not give "new" Andrew any material for next Monday's practice. Further,  if you happen to hear anything about their line-up, consider yourself a mandated reporter to either Captain or Coach Evan. Period.

We're presently holding a 1 - 1 league record.  Our six court (7 point) team victory against Woburn was an impressive and commanding opening to the season, especially with so many new partnerships. Last weeks' tie necessitated the counting of sets, and we lost by only one. ONE!  So, keep those numbers and "rackets up" (Deluca, 2010, p. 666) and put on a little lipstick!! We're well-positioned to secure the win...

Public Apology

I would like to publicly apologize to teammate Nancy Greeley who I hit not once but five times during practice today.  And to her partner and brand new team member, Joanne Heim (who I tagged once), please accept my apology.  If there is an upside to your receiving some tennis ink today it is this:  You are now much better prepared to play across the net from DAAAHLUCA.  Be certain to note the significant difference between the two court experiences.  I apologize. Jeannie, on the other hand, will tell you to get your racket up!

Welcome and Welcome Back!

Greetings to all the new and returning members of Cedardale's A1 Women's Northshore League.  We've got one strong roster of players this run.  Under the leadership of Captain Tiny Dancer, we're set to play some hot and fierce, tranny-mess tennis! Not to mention we're going to look great dominating the courts in our Bolle Power Surge tennis togs. Welcome to our new teammates Joanne Heim, Margaret Chojin, Suzanne McCormick, Laura Harley, Sandy Wellman, Laura Naismith, Ginger Gatewood, Chris Juergens and Vicki Lewis. And shouts out to returning members Jeannie the Hammah DeLuca, Kristine the Ringah Sheehan, Hockeymom Leslie Bisson,  Fran the Backboard Howley, Nancy Makers Mark Greeley, Captain TD, and your Blogger-at-Large. We. Are. Ready.

How Power Has Transformed Women's Tennis

As you're watching the early rounds at the US Open, check out this NY Times article on women's tennis.  Kimmelman writes comprehensively on the game while asking some good questions about the transformation of the sport.  He also goes to those gendered topics that can make us cringe about our culture: emotions, outfits, race, the sisterhood, and lack of consistency among female competitors. Go to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/magazine/29Tennis-t.html?_r=1

Cedardale vs. Latitude

Maybe we were Sparkin'. Or maybe it was the pressure of an open building and overhead track where spectators could view court play sans walls or curtains. Either way we swept the doubles courts for the team W on our final match of the USTA season.  The lineup placed two of the A1 doubles teams back together, which may have contributed to the straight set dominations. Personally, it felt good to have the band back together.  Jeannie and Kristine put their match in the win column in record time with Jeannie poaching, slamming, and tagging her opponents (final hit count at four?) in a tour de force not seen since the July 8, 2010 running of the bulls in Pamplona. Dorian and I won in straight sets and took the match with Dorian's stunning overhead put away down the middle. 'Twas one commanding, non-refundable shot.  Leslie and Lisa B played another straight set winning match on Doubles 1, which took the pressure off the singles ladies who walked onto the courts at 8:00.
Taking on two undefeated players, Marybeth and Betsy played hard and they played well. Marybeth hit across from a seasoned singles player who is a veritable backboard.  I know her game well having lost a singles match to her earlier in the run.  Watching the sets I was infinitely impressed with Marybeth's patience and strategic adjustments to a player who had a seemingly endless capacity to return and endure. Betsy played a strong match next door, holding her own against one tough opponent.
What impresses me most about this group of women is not necessarily our team numbers, individual rankings, or national standing. It's how we continue through the years to support each other week after week on the court and off with laughter, praise, and, perhaps most importantly, through sharing and providing accoutrement (Jeannie, ask Dorian what this means). Bottom line is we show up for each other.  In emails, text messages, phone calls, on Facebook, at matches, restaurants, homes, beach homes, and tennis "holidays" we are there and we know others will be, too.  I don't have to tell you.  That just matters.