Spinderellas Awards Dinner

Thursday, September 30th, our team gathered for our end of the season awards dinner at Village Social in Mt. Kisco. Beautifully organized by Kat Gilston, we had a convenient table, (near the bar), fantastic food, and great company. We even had a last minute surprise - Jacques joined us! Once the group was all there, I proceeded to hand out the awards, and for those of you who could not be there, (or couldn't hear), I will now recap the winners....drum roll please.....

For "Best Sportsmanship", the award went to Ann Leathers. We could always count on Ann being at every match, home or away, whether she was in the line-up or not. She always brought wine, food, encouragement and positive vibes. She was willing to play singles or doubles with any partner, and showed us all how to gracefully perform for a crowd. A true lady, we are grateful she retired and chose to spend her free time with our team!

The "Comeback of the Season" award went to Tanya Schwarz. An amazing player with a bullet serve, an impossible to return slice forehand, and great poaching skills, she won her first singles match with no trouble at all. Then she was stuck playing doubles with me and we lost three games in a row....we weren't in Kansas anymore. After never losing together last year at 3.0, it was quite humbling for both of us. Switching her to singles, she came back with a vengeance to win 4 out of 4 singles matches and one more doubles match (with me!), to end her season with an impressive 5 game winning streak. She even beat the #1 singles player on the #1 team in our division; The Proform Ninjas!

The next award goes to the person who imbued our team with energy, fun and passion. Being a captain was a bit distracting and stressful for me, but this person was always positive and supportive when I needed it most. Always available to play, she has a passion for the game of tennis like no one else I know. Emotional on the court, (but in a goofy, fun way), Kathleen Gilston gets the "Most Passionate Player" award. Thank you so much for helping me to co-captain the Spinderellas, and for setting up our awards dinner!

We could not have chosen a more opposite personality to partner with Kathleen than Amy Baker, but Jacques assured me they would be good together. Calm, cool and collected, Amy is a steady, reliable partner with a Zen-like demeanor, a strategic mental game, freakishly accurate placement and the warmest of hearts. So to Amy I give the "Zen Master of the Tennis Court" award. I also want to thank you for your all your level-headed practical advice when I was dealing with drama, and all the yummy food you brought to the matches. It sure beat my Costco bags of M&M's.....

The next two awards went to a doubles team who won an impressive 4 matches out of 6 at the 3.5 level whenever they played together. Rated at 3.0, these ladies gave an equally impressive performance on their 3.0 team, Rhythm and Hues, winning all 7 of their regular season matches, winning in the first round of the district championship, then sadly losing in the 2nd round. They have a big tennis future ahead of them; Joy Casciano and Malyn Sheridan get the award for "Best Rookie Doubles Team". Thank you both for always being available when I needed players and for supporting the team even when you weren't in the line-up. And thanks again to Jacques for knowing these two would make good partners.....

"The Best Doubles Team" award goes to Karen Piazza and Gale Ritterhoff with an impressive 6 out of 6 wins. These two ladies were the most consistent players this season. Karen, with her powerful forehand, set Gale up for poach after poach, served bullets, overpowered her opponents with her forehand and looked like a movie star in our turquoise uniform. Gale; consistent, consistent, consistent. Fabulous poacher, great ground strokes and perfect placement made her the player that everyone wanted to partner with. Karen was the lucky one most of the time, but I got to enjoy her as a partner a few times myself. We were lucky to have these two great players on our team this year, and I hope you both come back to us next year!

The final award goes to Gale Ritterhoff. Awarded "The Best Record of The Season"; she won 8 out of 8 games played, to garner the title. Gale's game always amazes me; it's not with brute power that she wins, but with mental toughness, aggressiveness at net and a laser-like focus. She is one with the yellow ball. She tracks it, then attacks it. Kind, smart and generous, she was a great asset to our team this year. Thank you Gale for being such an important member of the Spinderellas!

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I want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to my wonderful captains' gifts. I can't wait to go shopping at Pedigree! I'm saving the wine until I can snag a bag of M&M's to go with it......

Watch for my emails later in the year. I'm hoping we can start team practices in February so we will be ready for the 2011 USTA season. I am also trying to arrange a round robin with the Fly Girls and our team, which I will let you know about as soon as we have chosen a date.

See you on the courts!!

XOXO Cathleen

Attack of the Ninjas!

Yes, I said Ninjas! Last night we took on the #1 ranked team in our division, the Ryebrook Proformers, in 99 degree heat, with planes flying overhead and a generator next to the courts that made it difficult to hear the scores, and impossible to hear the F-bombs that Karen was dropping. The Proformers have won all their matches 5-0 or 4-1, but we were able to squeak out a 3-2 loss, which their coach told me was a first this season. So ladies, be proud of our loss!

In first singles, Tanya took on a woman who has not lost a match all season. So congrats on your 7-5, 1-6, 1-0 win! You beat the #1 singles player on the #1 team in our division! Take that you Ryebrook Ninjas!! Too bad, (not really), her mom was there from Italy to see her defeat!

In second singles, Ann was defeated 6-0, 6-0 by one of the a-fore mentioned Ninjas who made her think of her Japanese ex-husband the whole match, (not something I want to be reminded of without a drink in my hand!). A "human backboard" as Ann described her, the woman only made 2 unforced errors in the entire match. Maybe she's not human....

Their captain told me they recruited several Japanese women from another club that had a Japanese coach and they don't even practice with their team. At first doubles, Karen and Bea had to battle it out with two of the Japanese Ninjas who communicated with each other in their native lingo, while moving our ladies all over the court and placing the ball exactly where they wanted. Ryebrook took the match 6-4, 6-1. F-Bomb, f-bomb, f-bomb!!

At second doubles, I felt like Amy and I were little girls playing against our big sisters. They were scary! I knew when I saw them jumping rope before the match we were in big trouble, and sure enough, the duo proceeded to attack us in the first point of the match. Smashing our lobs at our faces, arms, legs, I kept backing up farther and farther until I was almost hugging the fence. They were both tall so we couldn't get diddly over their heads, and anything else just came back as a blur. We got 2 games in the first set, (take that!!), but couldn't get a game in the second, (f-bomb). The final score was 6-2, 6-0. I am icing my bruises and ego today.......

At third doubles, our steadfast team of Joy and Malyn lost the first set 2-6, but pushed hard in the second set to win 7-6. At that point, we were all watching, and even though the other team called several of our girls' balls out that were clearly in, they persevered without cheating and won the super-tie break to win the match! As of today, "Team Joy & Malyn" are undefeated at the 3.0 and 3.5 level! Wow! Truly a match made in Heaven!
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I didn't' have time to blog about our match last week, but here's a quick run-down of our 4-1 win over Chestnut Ridge:

At first singles Orna won easily over her very pretty, very nice opponent, Susan Duffy (a Saw Mill gal who some of us know), 6-2, 6-1. Yeah Orna!!

At second singles Joanna lost 6-1, 6-3 in a tough battle, (f-bomb!)

At first doubles Karen and Gale won 7-6, 6-2 over a nasty duo who smashed overheads right at them and then had the nerve to ask Kathleen after the match if she thought it was bad sportsmanship. If you have to ask the question, then F-you!

At second doubles, Amy and Kathleen went up against a passive-aggressive duo who dubbed Kathleen "The Brat", and kept saying things to mess with their heads. Well, their heads cannot be messed with! We won 6-3, 1-6, 1-0. Na, na, na, na, na!

At third doubles Tanya and I join together again to win 7-6, 6-2 against a team that appeared to be beginners in the warm-up, but who curiously played very well once the game started. Lesson: don't judge a player by the way they warm-up!

Spinderella's Sweep The Courts!

Two blogs in one week....I don't know if I can do it. I'm just glad this entry is all good news. Just a warning; there are no "R" rated scenes, no cat fights, no temper tantrums, no clothing mishaps and no losses!

Thursday night we had to make up our match against the Solaris Hotshots that has been rained out twice. The team captain and I have been emailing each other for weeks trying to get this match played, so I was really glad to finally meet her. It was also good to know her cat was out of ICU and her mother-in-law was going back to Iowa next week and getting out of her hair! (I told you, we have been emailing each other A LOT....) Anyhow, they were a very nice group of ladies, and we had some great games, but we prevailed in all 5 matches.

Orna took first singles with a 6-3, 1-6, 1-0 win. Not sure what happened in that second set (I know, she hypnotized you, right?)

Tanya continued her singles winning streak with a 6-0, 6-2 win over a very nice woman named Nicole. Way to go!

After a very difficult first set where I was trying to poach balls that were clearly not mine, returning every serve into the net, and missing every overhead, Gale and I decided that our best strategy would be for me not to touch the ball unless it landed right on my racket. That worked and we won 7-6. In the second set I regained my eyesight, Gale continued to poach like a pro and rush the net, and we were able to jump ahead 4-1. Our opponents were seasoned doubles players and fought hard, but we were able to keep the pressure on, and prevailed with a 6-4 win.

At second singles, the happily married couple, Kat and Amy, took on a what appeared to be Annie Oakley and her side-kick. Was that woman wearing a prairie skirt? Ok, that was mean...our dynamic duo won their match 6-3, 7-5, and lived happily ever after....

Our newly married couple, Joy and Malyn also defeated their opponenets 6-4, 7-5, but they were on court 10 and I didn't see any of the match. Really - I have no idea what happened! I'm sorry you guys! I know you are upset, but I can't be in two places at once! Now go finish your homework and clean your room!

Bad Sportsmanship or Taking Control?

Listening to soothing spa music on my way back from Brooklyn yesterday, I felt like I was in total control. I had a good day at work; my client liked my website design, told me how great I was, finally paid me, and for a change, the traffic on the BQE was actually moving! And that forecast of rain; also not happening. Not a drop of rain in sight. Nothing but beautiful blue sky and sunshine. Yeah, this is a good day to play a tennis match!

I got home at 4:30, got in the shower, and then I heard the phone ring.........I jumped out, dripping wet, and answered the phone. It was Lisa. Her daughter is sick; throwing up. She thinks she has Coxsackie. Ok, ok, let me see if I can find someone else to play for you. As I'm hanging up the phone my 12 year old daughter walks into my bedroom with her girl friend (who I have never met), and they both scream in unison when they see my 48 year old NAKED dripping wet body. Poor girl, she's going to have nightmares. I'm losing that sense of control.....

I quickly get dressed, send out an email to the team looking for a warm body with a tennis racket, then make a few calls. I finally get Joy to sign on, call Kathleen to talk about who should play with who and we come up with a line-up. I quickly put together my tennis bag with all my various splints, wraps, braces and ointments, then head out the door.

I get to Saw Mill and see a friend who stops me to comment on the cute skirt I have on. But it looks backwards....crap! No wonder I felt uncomfortable! I run into the bathroom and yes, this pleated, tiered, layered, over-designed piece of junk Nike has produced is backward. Jeez, it's already 5:45. At least I remembered the beer - but then realize I have forgotten the guacamole. At this point, I know I've lost control, but just don't want to admit it. I tell myself it's no big deal. Cathleen, you got a team together, the opponents are in last place, how hard could it be?

We start the warm-up, the other captain tells me one of her players is stuck in traffic, and will be a "little" late. Ok, not problem. At 6:15, I tell the other captain we want to default the match if she's not here in 5 minutes. They tell me she is here, she's just changing. It's 6:25, and Joanna wants to take the default. The other team calls the player, she's not answering. I tell them we are defaulting the match. They tell me I am a bad sportsman. Ouch!

We start our matches, and sure enough, "late girl" walks around the corner ready to play. I stop playing my match, walk over and tell her the match is defaulted that she was supposed to be here at 6:00. Ok, she and Joanna are going to go hit anyway. The girls we are playing are mad at me and are giving me the evil eye. I don't care, I'm in control!

Then my match starts and I realize, these ladies are pretty good. Even though they are in last place, this game is not going to be a walk in the park. Ann and I haven't played a match together before, but we do our best. As she told me later, Ann plays a steady game and I make the impressive shots. But I also hit a lot into the net. And out. I can't stop thinking about them calling me a bad sport....did I do the right thing? Should I have let them play the match late? Last time I did that we lost the match. But am I a bad sport? I don't want to be a bad sport....I want people to think I'm a good sport....I hope my daughter's friend isn't permanently damaged.....I hit another ball into the net. We lose the first set 6-4.

The second set I tell myself to stop thinking about all this stuff and just hit the yellow ball! I charge the net, smash overheads and Ann is working so hard she's grunting. Yes, I said grunting.....she's a tough cookie when she's mad. We were up 4-1, but kept the pressure on, and eventually win the set 6-3. Ok, now I'm in control! We start the super-tie break, and are up, down, up, down, up, then they pull ahead and beat us 10-7. Now I have to admit to myself I am definitely NOT in control......

I find out our first doubles duo, Gale and Karen have won their match 6-3, 6-3. That makes them 5-0 for the season! Wow, they are a really good team. But Gale is leaving in a week.....what are we going to do? I really do have NO control at all!!!!!

After some self-doubt in her second set, Tanya wins her match (YES!!!) 6-2, 5-7, 1-0. I knew she could do it! With that serve, that blistering forehand, (and no partner to get in her way), how could she not? Congrats Tanya! You, my dear, are in control!

I purposely did not look at what was going in beside me at second doubles, but it appeared that Kathleen and Joy were struggling against a tough team. Last night, last place did not mean a sure win, and the other team proved that by defeating, Kat at Joy 6-2, 6-0. A big thank you to Joy for coming in at the last minute to play! Tonight you both get to play with your regular partners, and I'm sure things will go much better.

So after all the mishaps, changes, name calling and misunderstandings, our team pulled out a 3-2 win over the NYAC Junos. Maybe I do have some control over life after all!

A Bad Hair Day = A Bad Tennis Day

I watched the sky all day and thought rain was inevitable by the way my hair kept getting wilder and curlier by the hour. So I ate a bad lunch, munched on too many mm's from my giant Costco bag while sitting in traffic, and wouldn't you know it - it never rained! So out I trudged to play my match at 6:00, and my feet felt like cement! Footwork? What's that? Never heard of it. Overheads are meant to go over the net? Come on! I have to keep the ball inside the green box? Well, I hope the rest of you had a good time, (not that it wasn't fun to be outside playing tennis instead of doing dishes), but I'm going to finish off that bottle of wine and hit the pillow right after I tell you what else happened tonight.

First of all, our wonderful 1st doubles team of Gale Ritterhoff and Karen Piazza had a tough time in the first set, (1-6), but Gale tells me that Karen used the U.S. Marines method of partnership to get her back in the game. "You are Gale Ritterhoff. You don't lose tennis matches!" Gale said Karen's attitude not only helped them win the 2nd set, 6-2, but pushed them to a win the tie-break. So congrats ladies on your 3rd win together!

At second singles, Tanya and I struggled in the first set. Unable to pull my head out of my ass, I spent the first three games returning serves into the net, hitting everything out and wondering when Steve would leave so I could look him in the eye again....Thank goodness Tanya was awake and poached like a champ and served up bullets, but alas....we lost the first set 6-3. We switched sides in the 2nd set which seemed to help, but as hard as we fought, the Rye ladies made very few mistakes and just outplayed us. At one point I think we hit about 10 overheads in a row, all of which came right back at us. I got impatient several times and slammed the ball into the net. I had to END THE POINT!! Patience is supposed to come as you get older, right? Well, the second set went to Rye, the more mature, more patient team, 6-4. After the match I went right to my bottle....wahhhhh

Gee, it's 12:15 and I'm pretty sure my 12 year old is still up and watching tv. I should probably go tell her to go to bed, but what the hell.....I'm such a bad tennis mother....

Okay, we are at 3rd doubles now...Amy Baker and Kathleen Gilston. I was trying really hard to concentrate on my game and not get distracted, but I did peep a few times. It looked like a tough match. Lots of good shots by both teams. Our girls blew them away in the first set 6-2. Then some astral phenomenon happened and they lost the second set 6-4. WTF!! Ok, it's the tie break and now I've finished my game and am watching Kat and Amy. It looks close, then someone offers me a giant bag of mm's and a glass of wine- I turn around - and the match is over! What happened??? They lost the tie-break and now I have heart-burn.....

This night just keeps getting better and better.....

Richard! Why are you messing with Joanna's racket?? And where were you during our match?? Joanna needed you!!! And so did the team! What if there was an argument? What if someone screamed osbscenities during the match?? You are our good luck charm! Please don't leave us again? Ok? Pretty please?? Not that it was your fault or anything, but Joanna lost 6-0, 6-2. I hope you gave her a back rub, at least....

And last but not least, our first singles player, Lesley Kalenson (tall, white headband, very good tan, big smile), lost a tough one, 6-4, 6-3. But here's the thing; every time I looked over at her court during my match, I thought she was winning because she was smiling so much! I was shocked when she told me she had lost. When I'm losing I think I must look like a deranged hyena, but there's Lesley, looking like she just won the lottery! Now that is a skill!

4-1 Victory in Bardonia!

The West Rock Starz didn't shine very brightly tonight against the Saw Mill Spinderellas!

I'm too wound up to sleep after such a great team win, so here it is, 1:00 in the morning, and with it so fresh in my mind, I need to tell you right now what went down across the river tonight:

At 1st doubles, Gale and Karen kicked butt again and won 6-2, 6-3. The other team could not believe this was their first year to play 3.5!

At 2nd doubles, Cathleen and Tanya lost 7-5, 6-4 against a very tough pair that seemed more like a 1st doubles team......

At 3rd doubles, Joy and Malyn won their first 3.5 USTA match, 7-6, 7-5! Congrats ladies, you were awesome!

At 1st singles Cindy won the first set 6-3, but was down 5-2 in the second set when her opponent had to retire with a foot injury. We'll take it!

At 2nd singles Joanna shined for hubby Rich, and won 6-2, 7-5. It was also Joanna's first 3.5 USTA victory, and I'm sure it won't be her last!

I want you all to know that the team we played tonight has been together for 15 years! They even have a book club together! Their captain was very impressed and commented on what a strong team we have, and was surprised when I told her that almost all of us had been 3.0 players last year. So you should all be very proud of yourselves for playing so well against such a seasoned group of players!

I want to say a special thanks to Rich Callwell for helping negotiate a truce between Cindy and her opponent. We miss you at SMC!!

Bugs, Sweat and Tears

Last night, after a tough battle against the Dellwood Country Club Aces, the Saw Mill Spinderellas lost their second match of the season, 3-2. Having to fight off starving mosquitoes, 90 degree wilting heat and waning sunlight, the conditions made it difficult for both teams to play their best, but it sure beats another rain-out!

In first singles, Cindy Palmeri pulled off an impressive (and entertaining) win. Palmeri lost the first set 6-4, so took a little break to re-make her skirt and grab a drink, causing the other player to wonder "Does anyone know what happened to Cindy?" After waiting a few minutes for her return, Ann Leathers went looking for her elusive team-mate who reappeared with a newly designed skirt and a burst of energy. Playing on the court nearest to the food tables, the distractions and constant chatter must have been trying for Palmeri, but she continued to play her heart out, and went on to beat her opponent in the second set 7-6. It was nearly 8:00pm at that point, and getting very dark, but they began the tie break anyway. With only a few points completed, and Palmeri in the lead, an indoor court became available, so the match was moved, with Palmeri vehemently protesting, (is anyone surprised about this??). Once inside, it only took a few minutes for Palmeri to defeat her opponent, and even less time to find the wine....by the way, did anyone pick up her bottle of champagne?

In first doubles, Gale Ritterhoff and Karen Piazza, (looking very fetching in her head to toe turquoise uniform-she gets the award for best dressed), played a very unconventional Dellwood pair who quickly discovered Gale's punishing net game, so switched to a different tactic: both players back at the baseline and lob every ball. As you might guess, that strategy didn't work; Gale and Karen went on to defeat the team 7-5, 6-3.

In second singles, Lisa Cardille, after waiting a half hour for her tardy opponent to arrive, fought hard against the relentless Dellwood player. Dressed in a long-sleeved hooded shirt (made you hot just to look at her!), Cardille's opponent was like a back-board. Nothing went past her, and she eventually wore Cardille out with a 6-2, 6-2 win. We give the award for the largest quantity of sweat produced to Cardille, who appeared to have swam a marathon when leaving the court.

In second doubles, Cathleen Newsham and Tanya Schwarz, having never lost a match together, were coming off a big win yesterday morning over the Fly Girls' Leslie deSimone and Christine Leibowitz. Feeling confident, they began last night's match with very little warm-up, and proceeded to get a lesson in humility. The Spinderella team could not get into a rhythm in the first set, and lost in a frustrating 7-6 tie-break. Switching sides for the second set did not give the team the edge they needed, and after many balls into the net, and many service returns out of the court, they lost the second set 6-3.

In third doubles, Amy Baker and Kathleen Gilston also struggled to find their groove. Winning 6-4 in the first set, the pair battled it out in the second set, but lost 6-3, which brought about the match tie-break, which ended in a loss for the Spinderella team. After the match, Gilston wasted no time finding the margarita table, and if you were lucky you got a taste of the salad that Baker whipped up for the team...mango, hearts of palm, avacado.....yum! They get the award for best food and drink!

The Spinderella's were cheered on by their loyal team mates, Joy Casciano, Malyn Sheridan and Ann Leathers. Supplying food, libations and bug spray, they sat through the entire match, darkness and all. They all get the Good Sportsman award!

After their match, the Spinderellas proceeded to the upstairs lounge to join the Fly Girls crowd and cheer them on. After a few margaritas, a few Fly Girls and Spinderellas attempted to play tennis.....I said attempted! It was truly pitiful to watch.....Gigi got tangled in the court divider net , and Cathleen was giggling too much at Gigi's antics to properly hit the little yellow ball!
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Next week the Spinderellas take on West Rock tennis at West Rock at 7:00pm. Yes, it's away, and I mean "Away". The club lies about 20 minutes west of the Tappan Zee Bridge, so what do you say we all pitch in and rent a limo? If you are interested, get back with me asap and I'll see what it costs. I did it last year with The Fly Girls and I think we each paid about $25. No one except the limo driver had to fight the bridge traffic, so we were all very relaxed when we arrived at the club. Everyone is invited to join us, even if you aren't playing! Have a good weekend, but get back with me asap on your availability to play next week as well as your interest in the limo.

Cathleen