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Phoenix Teams Dominate 55 & Over

September 22, 2014 07:59 PM

League SouthwestSect_2c_H

2014 USTA Southwest Adult 55 & Over League Championships
Sept 19-21, 2014
Jerry Cline Tennis Center - Albuquerque, NM


Handshake1The USTA Southwest Adult 55 & Over League Championships in Albuquerque went off quite smooth, as six teams not only proved to be the cream of the Southwest crop, but punched their tickets to national championship events later this year.

This year's Adult 55 & Over - the second year in existence since the revision of age groups in the league program - seems to be growing in quality and participants, as this year's event featured just over 300 participants in the six divisions of play.

When the last ball was struck, it was the Central Arizona district that showed the best, capturing three of the six division crowns, including both the 7.0 Women and Men's titles as well as the 9.0 men.

An ominous mid-week forecast looked to throw a serious wrench in the weekend plans for our 2014 USTA Southwest Adult 55 & Over League Championships in Albuquerque, but the weather held, and the tournament was never seriously threatened.

A special thanks goes out to all the players and teams who attended, as well as to Jerry Cline Tennis Center in Albuquerque for their hospitality and for allowing us the use of their courts.

PinkFHAlso, another note of thanks goes out to tournament director Bill Lucero for filling in at a late hour for us.

Winning teams now move on to the USTA 55 & OVer League National Championships held later this year. For a full schedule, click here.  

A quick recap of each division's results from last week's championships is below:

In 6.0 women, El Paso Tennis Club's team captained by Lesvia Diaz, finished a perfect 3-0 in the division, including a pivotal 2-1 victory on the opening day over fellow Greater El Paso team (wildcard).

In 7.0 women, the Central Arizona club out of Sun Lakes Country Club captained by John Radcliffe, went 5-0, besting all comers, to win the division. Two years ago, a team from Sun Lakes won the Section crown and, eventually, the national championship in the 7.0 division, so let's hope our team can make another run at a title!

In 7.0 men, Charles Simmons' squad out of Phoenix Tennis Center had a spotless 3-0 record, winning eight of nine total matches, to best the second-place Northern New Mexico squad. Simmons also captained an 18 & Over team that made their way to Nationals this year as well.

In 8.0 women, Carol Bandy's team out of Himmel Park in Tucson (Southern Arizona) went 4-1, edging out Northern New Mexico (Gloria Killin - Highpoint Sports & Wellness) by a single match. Both teams finished with the same record, but the SAZ team moved on by virtue of one more line won (10-9).

McDowell389In 8.0 men, Northern New Mexico's wildcard squad out of Highpoint Sports & Wellness, came back to not only down their local league foe (JP Barbarre - Jerry Cline Tennis Center), but four others in the six-team division.

Three teams finished with 3-1 records (NNM -Martello, CAZ-Jay Hearshman, NNM - Barbarre), but the Martello squad advanced on more individual match wins (9) than the other two tied squads.

In 9.0 men, after a first-day 2-1 loss to Northern New Mexico's wildcard team (Mark Wallenbrock - Highpoint Sports & Wellness), CAZ's team out of Gainey Ranch Estates Club captained by Theo Mandel, would have been a longshot bet to pull out the crown. But going 2-0 in their last two matches, and winning five of six lines was enough to just edge them past the second-place Northern New Mexico squad out of Santa Fe (El Gancho Fitness Swim and Racquet Club).

 

TennisBallSMALL 2014 USTA Southwest 55 & Over League Champions

6.0 Women - Greater El Paso (Lesvia Diaz, captain - El Paso Tennis Club)
7.0 Women - Central Arizona (John Radcliffe, captain - Sun Lakes Country Club)
7.0 Men - Central Arizona (Charles Simmons, captain - Phoenix Tennis Center)
8.0 Women - Southern Arizona (Carol Bandy, captain - Himmel Park)
8.0 Men - Northern New Mexico (Ty Martello, captain - High Point Sports & Wellness)
9.0 Men - Central Arizona (Theo Mandel, captain -  Gainey Ranch Estates Club)

TennisBallSMALL SOCIAL MEDIA - Get to the Net
Players and teams are encouraged to interact with us on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram platforms all year long at your local levels, district championship and Section League Championship tournaments. The Twitter and Instagram hashtags will be "SWLEAGUE14". 

Search us on these platforms at "USTA Southwest" and you'll find us. We want to see you guys get to the net in a different way as well.  

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TennisBallSMALL  SPONSORS

HeadPennSpecial thanks goes out to  Head/Penn Racquet Sports for being the official ball sponsor of USTA Leagues.

They have been a longtime sponsor of the USTA League Program.

Their home base is in Phoenix, and we truly appreciate their terrific support, which also includes gifts and lots of fabulous prizes and great items at our Player Party! 

 

 

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