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
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Spinderellas Speed Past Ridgeway Country Club!
Last night the newest USTA 3.5 team coming out of the Saw Mill Club, the Spinderellas, won an impressive 4 out of 5 matches against the Ridgeway Country Club. Coached by Jacques duToit, the Spinderellas have only practiced together a mere 5 weeks, so it will be exciting to see how the team progresses in their upcoming matches. Here's a recap of last nights wins:
In first singles, Tanya Schwarz blew past her opponent to win 6-3, 6-1. Even with a pulled leg muscle, Tanya was able to pull through for the win. Way to tough it out Ms. Schwarz!
In second singles, Orna Nahor, (looking quite fetching in that turquoise blue skirt!), duplicated Tanya's score with a 6-3, 6-1 win, and by the big smile she wore throughout the match, appeared to be having a great time!
In first doubles, first-time partners, Gale Ritterhoff and Cathleen Newsham rolled past Ridgeway to win 6-2, 6-2. As usual, Ms. Ritterhoff punished her opponents at the net, with well placed overheads and impressive poaching. Ms. Newsham, on the other hand, appeared to be watching the other matches too much, so it's a good thing Ms. Ritterhoff was on her game!
At second doubles, Amy Baker and Kathleen Gilston battled their way to an impressive tie-break win. Losing the first set 6-4, they came back in the second to win a tough 7-6 set, then win the match tie-break 10-8. That was a close one! The team had a rough start, but with some goofy noises and gestures, Ms. Gilston was able to calm the nerves of her partner, Ms. Baker, who applied pressure with her steady baseline shots and consistent net game. Ms. Gilston's powerful overheads and laser fast serves gave the Saw Mill team the edge to pull ahead and defeat their opponents in a real nail-biter!
At third doubles, Sherry Kandel and Ann Leathers lost their match in a tough battle. Winning the first set 6-3, the pair struggled in the second set and lost 6-4, forcing a tie-break that ended in a 10-5 loss for the Spinderellas. After the match Ms. Kandel praised her partner's consistency, and blamed herself for the disappointing loss. Her fear of the Har-Tru surface kept the usually speedy Kandel from playing her best game, but judging by the score, the Saw Mill duo fought valiantly.
Congradulations to all the Spinderellas for a great start to the 2010 season!
In first singles, Tanya Schwarz blew past her opponent to win 6-3, 6-1. Even with a pulled leg muscle, Tanya was able to pull through for the win. Way to tough it out Ms. Schwarz!
In second singles, Orna Nahor, (looking quite fetching in that turquoise blue skirt!), duplicated Tanya's score with a 6-3, 6-1 win, and by the big smile she wore throughout the match, appeared to be having a great time!
In first doubles, first-time partners, Gale Ritterhoff and Cathleen Newsham rolled past Ridgeway to win 6-2, 6-2. As usual, Ms. Ritterhoff punished her opponents at the net, with well placed overheads and impressive poaching. Ms. Newsham, on the other hand, appeared to be watching the other matches too much, so it's a good thing Ms. Ritterhoff was on her game!
At second doubles, Amy Baker and Kathleen Gilston battled their way to an impressive tie-break win. Losing the first set 6-4, they came back in the second to win a tough 7-6 set, then win the match tie-break 10-8. That was a close one! The team had a rough start, but with some goofy noises and gestures, Ms. Gilston was able to calm the nerves of her partner, Ms. Baker, who applied pressure with her steady baseline shots and consistent net game. Ms. Gilston's powerful overheads and laser fast serves gave the Saw Mill team the edge to pull ahead and defeat their opponents in a real nail-biter!
At third doubles, Sherry Kandel and Ann Leathers lost their match in a tough battle. Winning the first set 6-3, the pair struggled in the second set and lost 6-4, forcing a tie-break that ended in a 10-5 loss for the Spinderellas. After the match Ms. Kandel praised her partner's consistency, and blamed herself for the disappointing loss. Her fear of the Har-Tru surface kept the usually speedy Kandel from playing her best game, but judging by the score, the Saw Mill duo fought valiantly.
Congradulations to all the Spinderellas for a great start to the 2010 season!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Rain, Rain, Go Away!
Well, after last week's rain-out, I'm getting a little antsy to get on the court and play some tennis! I know a lot of you are feeling the same way, so after lots of back and forth with the Solaris team captain, we finally agreed on a make-up date, which will be tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18th at Saw Mill Club. Warm-ups begin at 5:30 on Ct. 6, 7, 8 & 9, with all 5 matches starting at 6:00 sharp on Ct. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. It is an outdoor match, so lets cross our fingers that the sun will shine upon us and let us play our #$&!!#!! matches! Below is the line-up. If there is anyone who cannot play, please contact me immediately at 917-796-6086 or 914-763-6614.
Tuesday, May 18th Sprinderella's vs. Solaris Hotshots
1st doubles - Gale R. & Karen P.
2nd doubles -Kathleen G. & Amy B.
3rd doubles-Cathleen N. & Tanya S.
1st singles-Cindy P.
2nd singles-Lesley K.
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This Wednesday, May 19th is our match against Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains. It is also an outdoor match. If you are scheduled to play, please go to this link and print out directions: http://www.ridgewaycc.com/. You need to arrive for warm-ups at 5:30, and match play begins at 6:00 sharp. We may have a few indoor courts, so even if it rains, we may be able to get some matches played. Below is the line-up for Wednesday night. If there is anyone who cannot play, please contact me immediately at 917-796-6086 or 914-763-6614.
Wednesday, May 19th Sprinderella's vs. Ridgeway Country Club
1st doubles - Gale R. & Tanya S.
2nd doubles -Kathleen G. & Amy B.
3rd doubles-Sherry K. & Ann L.
1st singles-Lisa C.
2nd singles-Orna N.
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Uniforms
So, as I'm sure you have all discovered by now, the skirts are a very weird fit. So.....you may want to have them altered so you don't appear to have recently given birth, but you can also wear white bottoms with one of the tops. Just try to get a little of that Turquoise color somewhere on your bodacious body!
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Additional Practice Times
In addition to our Monday morning practices from 11:00-12:30 and our Monday evening practices, Jacques will be working on doubles strategy on Fridays from 11:00-12:30. Right now we just reserve one court, so if you are interested in an additional practice time with your partner, let me know and we will try to get you into the lesson.
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Saturday Challenge matches
Leslie deSimone, (captain of the Fly Girls, one of the other USTA 3.5 teams), and I have set up outdoor court time this Saturday, May 22,11:00am -12:30 pm so we can have a challenge match against one of their doubles teams. If you are interested in playing, please let me know. We will be trying to do this on one or two courts every Saturday, which Jacques and I feel would be a good way for you to play a USTA match without it actually counting. The outdoor courts are free, so there is no charge to you.
Well, after last week's rain-out, I'm getting a little antsy to get on the court and play some tennis! I know a lot of you are feeling the same way, so after lots of back and forth with the Solaris team captain, we finally agreed on a make-up date, which will be tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18th at Saw Mill Club. Warm-ups begin at 5:30 on Ct. 6, 7, 8 & 9, with all 5 matches starting at 6:00 sharp on Ct. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. It is an outdoor match, so lets cross our fingers that the sun will shine upon us and let us play our #$&!!#!! matches! Below is the line-up. If there is anyone who cannot play, please contact me immediately at 917-796-6086 or 914-763-6614.
Tuesday, May 18th Sprinderella's vs. Solaris Hotshots
1st doubles - Gale R. & Karen P.
2nd doubles -Kathleen G. & Amy B.
3rd doubles-Cathleen N. & Tanya S.
1st singles-Cindy P.
2nd singles-Lesley K.
______________________________________________________
This Wednesday, May 19th is our match against Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains. It is also an outdoor match. If you are scheduled to play, please go to this link and print out directions: http://www.ridgewaycc.com/. You need to arrive for warm-ups at 5:30, and match play begins at 6:00 sharp. We may have a few indoor courts, so even if it rains, we may be able to get some matches played. Below is the line-up for Wednesday night. If there is anyone who cannot play, please contact me immediately at 917-796-6086 or 914-763-6614.
Wednesday, May 19th Sprinderella's vs. Ridgeway Country Club
1st doubles - Gale R. & Tanya S.
2nd doubles -Kathleen G. & Amy B.
3rd doubles-Sherry K. & Ann L.
1st singles-Lisa C.
2nd singles-Orna N.
______________________________________________________
Uniforms
So, as I'm sure you have all discovered by now, the skirts are a very weird fit. So.....you may want to have them altered so you don't appear to have recently given birth, but you can also wear white bottoms with one of the tops. Just try to get a little of that Turquoise color somewhere on your bodacious body!
_______________________________________________
Additional Practice Times
In addition to our Monday morning practices from 11:00-12:30 and our Monday evening practices, Jacques will be working on doubles strategy on Fridays from 11:00-12:30. Right now we just reserve one court, so if you are interested in an additional practice time with your partner, let me know and we will try to get you into the lesson.
______________________________________________________
Saturday Challenge matches
Leslie deSimone, (captain of the Fly Girls, one of the other USTA 3.5 teams), and I have set up outdoor court time this Saturday, May 22,11:00am -12:30 pm so we can have a challenge match against one of their doubles teams. If you are interested in playing, please let me know. We will be trying to do this on one or two courts every Saturday, which Jacques and I feel would be a good way for you to play a USTA match without it actually counting. The outdoor courts are free, so there is no charge to you.
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