NRC NCW Open Red Champions – Standing L-R:  Jim Doessel (coach), Ann Taylor, Sujin Kim, Alison Morgan, Audrey Koopsen, Terrie Bennett, Jill Werner, Audrey Cohen, Anne Suszko, Marco Ciotti (coach); 2nd row:   Martha Lloyd, Terri Gordon, Mimi Paffrath;  kneeling:  Liesel Jankelowitz, Sue Teper

The last time the NC Women’s Open Red team from Northbrook Racquet Club was able to hold up the trophy was in 2011. After that year and before that year North Shore Racquet Club repeatedly brought the trophy back to their club. This year, Northbrook was able to move past North Shore in the playoffs to make it to the finals against Glenbrook Racquet Club. GRC was tied for 1st place along with NSRC during the regular season but pulled ahead the last match of the regular season.   GRC beat College Park in the playoffs.  So while College Park’s Open Red team was not playing in the finals, their club hosted the Open Red Finals.  On court 1, NRC’s Alison Morgan and Audrey Koopsen (formerly known as the Koopsen sisters until Alison got married) played against GRC’s Christi Turdo and Beth Druffel. Christi and Beth are both experienced doubles players able to weave different strategies into their game as needed. But Alison and Audrey have been gaining ground in that department as well and with their quickness and steady shots, they were able to win their match in 2 sets 6-2, 6-4. On court 2, NRC’s Sujin Kim and Ann Taylor roller coasted to a win against GRC’s Natalie Diorio and former Division 1 player Martina Wodzinski 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. Check-in, check-out, check-in. On court 3, and the last court to finish, Terri Gordon and Liesel Jankelowitz also roller coasted their way to a win against GRC’s Julie Hood and Suzanne Pfeiffer 6-2, 3-6, 7-5. On court 4, GRC’s Jenny Park and Lauren Gallagher was able to overcome the slices and lobs of NRC’s Sue Teper and Audrey Cohen 6-3, 6-3. On court 5, NRC’s Jill Werner and Martha Lloyd turned up the heat against GRC’s Joyce Salsburg and Katherine Glattard and won 6-0, 6-2. On court 6, NRC’s Mimi Paffrath and Anne Suszko made GRC’s Laura Frankiewicz and Kristen Lamarca work for every point (I know…I’ve played them) and NRC won 6-2, 6-4. NRC won 5-1 over GRC.  (Not shown in picture above:  Chris Harris, Faye Levy, Olga Ovnanyan, Laury Scheyer, Linda Traeger, Pam Leichtling)