USTA League
More Pictures...
Team Stories
Issue 4: Spring, 2002
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.
by Richard Olson, Captain 8.0 Mixed Doubles Team
Coming soon to a theater near you...FCTC MX8.0s have concluded the first leg of their once unthinkable quest -a trip to the Nationals! The team that went 0-9 two years ago, a credible 8-5 last year, finished the 2002 season at an incredible 13-2, good for first place in the very competitive mid-peninsula league.
Our season got off to a bad start and then things got worse as half the squad was eventually lost to injuries and job transfers. Season-long regrouping and recruiting were necessary just to keep pace. Week after week schedules were juggled, couples were mixed and matched in order for us to compete.
And, compete we did. Weekend wildness in the form of come-from-behind, gut-check victories were the order of the day. This team, often down and almost out, re-wrote the book on comebacks.
The regular season ended in an exciting three-set tie-breaking victory over Woodside B earning the FCTC team top seed in the playoffs. The first round playoffs (versus surging Mitchell Park) found us down 0-1 and on the ropes in the other two matches -again three-set comeback victories in matches two and three propelled FCTC in to the finals.
The finals, right to Districts, was almost identical to the previous playoff match. Down 0-1 (to powerhouse PAC-A) we hung on for two three-set comeback victories over our opponents. And, for the third consecutive time the FCTC team, joined by supporting spectators and fans, held a screaming, jumping, hugging, kissing, center-court party of their very own.
Heroes? We had a whole team of heroes. Our married couples led the way: The Nelsons (Clarke and Larissa) went a combined 27-4. The Nakatas (Hiro & Ryoko) were 23-1, a perfect 8-0 when they played together as Hiro went undefeated for the year 9-0.
There were down-to-the-wire key victories scored by Penny Wilson, Linda Burke, Barbara Ramo, Ajay John, John Kanlaurie, Joe Paredes, Stephanie Perry, and the team's super Mr. Clutch, Maddy "Ever" Reddy. There was great team support from Tony "What Am I Doing In Arizona?" Durfor, Anne & Rob Wild (3-1), Barbara Ramo, (3-1), Richard Chang, Judy Olson, and Jane Reynolds.
Bottom line is we are heading for the Districts. And guess what? We think we can win -just as long as we're down, really down and need multiple, back-to-back, three-set, tie-breaker victories to pull it off. If we can get into that situation we'll have our opponents just where we want them!
by Ed Weiss, Captain Men's 3.0 Senior Team
The Senior 3.0 team finished the regular season with a record of 10-2. We had a four team local playoff. Our first opponent was Highlands - six sets TOTAL! We waited for two weeks and had a match with our favorite competitor - Peninsula Golf & Country Club. Again, the take-no-prisoners attitude prevailed and we won all three matches in straight sets. With the playoffs, we ended the Local League play with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses.
Carmel Valley can be a beautiful place around the middle of April and the Carmel Valley Ranch is also very nice if you have the time to relax and enjoy both of them. However, this was a business trip - the Sectional playoffs.
The first match was at 8:00 AM on Friday and most of us left Foster City around 5:00 AM (it was still dark out). We got there a little after 7, had some more coffee and discussed our strategy for the day. The lineup was Ken Mentzer & Lou Roth in the number 1 position, Wil Dang & Jin Jue in the number 2 spot and Ray Wong & Kay Lee playing number 3. Since we were first on the courts, all three matches on time. Wil & Jin finished off their opponent quickly and in straight sets. Ray & Kay were next, again another two set match. Ken (not a morning person) & Lou ran into some problems. From the team's perspective - not a problem - we won the match. The first day was a success and we went home.
We returned on Saturday for a 2 o'clock match with Terra Nova, we kept the same lineup. The temperature was in the mid to high 80's and there was no breeze. Again, Wil & Jin were off the court fairly quickly with another win in their pocket. Ken & Lou ran into some difficulty and lost a close two setter. We were at 1-1 for the day. Ray was playing opposite his former partner (and former friend - bring a couple of 6-packs and Ray might tell you the story) and he and Kay fought a long and hard battle, which they won 7-5, 6-4. Two down, one to go!
Day three - Sunday. One captain, six players, four friends and three cheerleaders - we are ready, we control our own destiny. The USTA people call for the first team - Lou & Ken - to take the court, they start their warm-up. The second team is called - Wil & Jin - they head for their assigned court and start warming up. Ray & Kay stand around and wait, and wait, and wait, they are finally assigned a court - Center Court - a beautiful sunken court with seating on the patio at one end, bleacher seats, seating on the lawn on one side and some seating under some big shade trees.
Wil & Jin settled into their usual game (Jin yelling at Wil) and they finished off the opponent in two quick sets - 6-3, 6-3.
Ken & Lou announced to all that this was the time to change their ways. Their first set was long and it was a hard fight, but the friends and one of the cheerleaders boosted their morale and the set belonged to Lou & Ken after a 7-2 tiebreaker. Time for the Captain to make a quick 40-yard dash to Center Court - 3-2 on serve.
Back to the outer courts, Lou & Ken are up 2-1; back to Center Court, Ray & Kay are down a break at 4-5; back to the outer courts, Lou & Ken are at 30-all, 3-1; (I'm getting tired of this 40-yard dash) sit, watch, now Lou & Ken are 4-1; back to Center Court, Ray & Kay tie it up and it is tie-break time. They decide this is a good time to stop the scrimmage and to play tennis - so they take the tiebreaker 7-2. Back at the Lou & Ken match it is 5-1, love-30 (the other guys are serving), 15-30, 30-all, 30-40, GAME, SET AND MATCH! Lou & Ken win 7-6, 6-1.
We are the winner of our flight; it's all over except the celebrating. Wait a minute, someone should tell Ray & Kay; another 40-yard dash, wait for them to change ends and tell them to do whatever they want, we are 2-0 for the day. The answer, "OK, Ed, thanks".
Ray & Kay are very even in the second set, the lead goes back and forth. A break by one team was promptly repaid by the other team breaking back. Finally, the score is 6-all in the second set - tiebreak time, again. Ray & Kay got a little behind in the tiebreaker and had to come back, but they did and did it very well - the result was 7-4.
All that work in beautiful Carmel Valley - seven out of nine matches, all of the driving back and forth, all of the worry and anxiety - for what: A Trip To Fresno! Yes, beeeoootifulll downtown Fresno on May 4th and 5th. Our opponents will be (in order of appearance): Fremont Hills (Saturday, May 4th at 8:00 AM), Carmel Valley Ranch (our previous host at 2:00 Saturday afternoon) and Auburn (11:00 AM on Sunday the 5th).
If I didn't already have gray hair, I would blame it on the captain's job. First Fresno, then Tucson!
by Peggy Cartwright, Captain Mariners Team
Peggy Cartwright (Captain) and Dena Fisher (Co-Captain), were successful in taking first place in the Peninsula Tennis League's Wimbledon Division. The Foster City Tennis Club congratulates the team members, listed below, for a job well done. Janet Adams, Kathleen Cammarata, Peggy Cartwright, Suzanne Chow, Christina Cooper, Kerry Edwards, Nancy Farrell, Dena Fisher, Amy Fung, Bobbi Guidicelli, Jane Hall, Hiroko Harrison, Beverley Hayes, Rumiko Nishikawa, Maya Oda, Judy Olson, Ellen Peters, Sue Ping, Jane Reynolds, Judy Weinbaum, Lynne Williams, Marie Williams, and Scarlett Wood.
The team will be recognized at the PTL's Awards Luncheon, to be held on May 23rd at the Pacific Athletic Club, at which time they will receive their winner's trophy. Foster City's Director of Parks & Recreation, Kevin Miller, has promised to display the trophy prominently in the Recreation Center.
Again, congratulations, ladies for a great achievement!
by Lisa Chang, Captain Women's 3.5A Team
The season started with a win in foggy, San Francisco early in the morning at Golden Gate Park. Betty, Cheryl, Kerry, Josephine, and Sheryl, in their usual manner, won their matches.... Jenny and Cathy, our
newcomers did awesome in conquering their first matches.....The next match was a close win in windy Foster City against last year's District-bound team, Golden Gateway. We were presented with a strong line-up and young people!! Our team stood up to the challenge and managed to win three matches . Three matches went to 3 sets and it was like sitting on pins and needles, as we watched the 3rd sets as they determined our fate. Fortunately, we prevailed.
Our third match was at the San Francisco Tennis Club where we played indoors. Although our team was not use to the indoor atmosphere with the lighting, echo'd sounds, and our bodies overheating, the team did awesome winning 4-1. We enjoyed watching the last two matches as the dramatic tie-breaker between Stella/Wendy was exciting and the steady team of Rosemary and Jessie played good tennis. Spectators could tell that they had good teamwork and played like a team should.
Our spirits are high and the team is working on staying in the top 4 of our flight. The team recruited new blood this year and the newcomers are gelling with our team, pulling off crucial wins in their initial matches. GO TEAM! As of this writing, we are currently at 3-0.
Members of our winning team are: Rosemary Bardi, Kerry Carranza, Janet Chan, Catherine Chang, Cheryl Chang, Lisa Chang, Karolyn Cheng, Josephine Chew, Lois Glover, Lisa Hing, Jacquelyn Hirvela, Mikiko Izumi, Jackie James, Betty Lam, Wendy Leung, Jessie McElroy, Stella Mutya, Mieko Oiwa, Judy Olson, Jane Reynolds, Mona Simpson, Sheryl Thirlwall, Jennifer Weber, and Penny Wilson.
by Lisa Chang, Captain Women's 4.0A Team
The season started with beautiful weather at the Bowditch Courts in Foster City. What nice weather to enjoy and sit and watch good tennis. Peninsula Covenant Church brought in a nice team. At the end of the day, we lost all matches, but managed to go 3 sets in 4 of the matches. Also, imagine... out of 7 sets, 4 were 7-5 and 3 were tie-breakers. It was an awesome match.
We travelled to Hillsdale High for our next match and lost the match 3-2, winning one singles and one doubles match in time for the sun to go down.
Our last match was again at Bowditch Courts against the College of San Mateo, but we had a cold, overcast day with slight wind. Spectators started getting cold and we either wrapped ourselves up in blankets or clothing or we started munching on the snacks. The team fought but came away with another loss at 1-4.
Although we are at 0-3, the team spirit is up... As in tennis, our heads are up and looking for ways to improve the situation. As a new and developing team, we are being very conscientious at practicing two times a week and learning about each other's games. We are on an adventure and are taking measures to improve our games and playing better. We had a fun get-together to discuss how we can build on tactical/strategic skills during match play, and it was good to see that team members are getting involved in helping out. This is a true sign of teamwork (thanks, team). I am very fortunate to have such a nice and supportive team. GO TEAM!!
Members of our team are: Ana Akin, Naomi Bigliardi, Jan Buchwald, Cheryl Chang, Lisa Chang, Allison Collins, Nina de Toth, Jennifer Gurevitz, Hiroko Harrison, Lisa Hing, Laura Howells, Mikiko Izumi, Betty Lam, Ryoko Nakata Larissa Nelson, Ashley Nguyen, Mieko Oiwa, Judy Olson, Sue Sen Ping, Jane Reynolds, Jennifer Weber, Debra Weingarten, and Penny Wilson.
Updated 5/7/02
© 2002 Foster City Tennis Club