USTA League
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Team Stories
Issue 14: Spring, 2005
The Foster City Tennis Club sponsors many teams and we have written many stories to share our team experiences with the club. For prior issues, please check out our archive.
- 2004 Mixed 7.0 Team - A Giant Killer Season
- Men's 4.5 Team
- Women's 3.5A Team
- Super Senior Women's 65 Team
2004 Mixed 7.0 Team -- A Giant Killer Season
by Jake Karmendy, Captain
Unranked and respected only as an "also-ran", one of the Club's Mixed 7.0 teams fought its way to the Norcal Sectionals, humbling the giants of the 7.0 category along the way. Captained by Jake Karmendy and Ashley [Nguyen] Chen, the Bowditch A team finished behind the Club's other 7.0 team led by Mark Wong and Vikki Mion, but was able to turn the regular season upside down with a hard-fought win in the Mid-Peninsula Playoffs.
The team had improved dramatically along the way. Late season additions Ray Jeung and Kieu-Nhi Le helped, but steadily improving players like Peilun Shan, Jason Yang, Yukon Lam, Haruko Kurata, Lisa Hing, Allison Don and Conrad Dias formed the nucleus of the team. Fueled by late season success the team powered through the Districts in Alameda winning all 3 matches and dispatching two Top-10 ranked clubs.
The Sectionals in Pleasanton proved to be an uphill climb, having to face the #1 and #2 ranked teams on the first day. The team shocked #1 ranked Clubsport-Fremont 2-1 and then took #2 Las Animas to 3 Super-Tiebreakers. Literally points away from heading to Hawaii for Nationals our pairs heartbreakingly lost all 3 Super-Ties to the eventual Norcal Champs. We had to console ourselves with a #3 finish to this remarkable season.
Many thanks to all the players who contributed: Jennifer Burgos, Fred De Sauvage, Betsy Holak, Nancy Kane, Edward Lee, Lisa-Marie Namphy and Kevin Pratesa. And special thanks to the "brain trust": Chief Scout Jeff Burgos and Wil Dang.
by Justin Lu, Captain
The Men's 4.5 team is heading to districts for the 2nd year in a row. We had a very strong start to the season, slumped a bit in the middle, then came on
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strong at the end to capture first place at the end of the regular season. We were undefeated at home and we capitalized on our home court advantage for the playoffs to emerge with another trip to districts. We hope to benefit from our experience at last year's districts and take the next step to sectionals. All
in all, it's been a very enjoyable season and a real team effort.by Lisa Chang, Captain
The Women's 3.5A Team is heading back to Districts for another try with a new team this year. We had a great season with everyone getting to know each other with practices, coaching, and matches. Although we had a couple of bumps along the way (like injuries, moves, special events), we managed to prevail when we needed it most.
Many thanks to my co-captain and advisor, Naomi Bigliardi, who was always there to support me and keep me up. The team has proven that it has depth, resiliency, and the tenacity to welcome challenge at its best. Hats off to my wonderful team who helped made us the Local League Champions for Upper Peninsula!!!! Your hard work, dedication, and patience have earned you a chance at District Championships!!! GO TEAM!
My lovely teammates are: Naomi Bigliardi, Catherine Chang, Allison Collins, Linda Difuntorum, Nina Detoth, Allison Don, Wendy Wei Dong, Lisa Hing, Lori Horn, Jackie James, Nancy Kane, Lee Ann Kehaul, Betty Lam, Pearl Leung, Eileen Lewis, Lynda McAdams, Jessie McElroy, Judy Olson, Elaine Eigenmann, Ashley Nguyen Chen, Mieko Oiwa, Doris Rudolph, Kathy Rudovsky, Cecilia Sharer, Louise Tierney.
Back to topby Liz Titus, Captain
Well, our season was over before the heat wave hit so that was good. We are still getting our act together but thanks to Madelon Deys, Marcia Eisner, Ruth Haynes, Mary Henderson, Donna Myers, Maggy Prost, Marianne Siegmund, Joanie Sullivan, Marcella Vann, Phyllis Wong and Astrid Worley we completed all our matches. We all learned (I hope) that you can take a bathroom break at any time during a match, preferably during a change over or between sets. We also learned that travelling to Ross was not as bad as we had thought and that the wind is not really our friend!
We are already gearing up for next year and have high hopes for an even better season!
Updated 8/15/05
© 2005 Foster City Tennis Club