RC Lake Bluff – NCW4.0 Red Fri Champions; Standing L-R Lisette Dailey, Terri Karst, Kim Robb, Kelli Ventling, Midge Nelson, Sharon Deram, Lyla Chandy, Donna Oldenburg, Debbie Marcussen; Kneeling-Susan Moorman, Zoya Mirza, Monica Riley, Sarah Long, Sarah Boyd

The NC Women’s 4.0 Red Friday league has a few teams that are not in the NC Women’s 4.0 Wednesday league. The Racquet Club is one such club. Midtown-Chicago, on the other hand, plays in both. MTC just came off a win against Lakeshore in the 4.0 Wed finals and was looking to repeat their success in the 4.0 Friday finals. But the Racquet Club of Lake Bluff got in their way. In their only encounter during the regular season back in December, RCLB won 9.5-8.5 against MTC with a couple of tied matches. So both teams knew they had to bring their best game. On court 1, RCLB’s Zoya Mirza and Monica Riley played an epically close match against MTC’s Kim Rizzo and Sandy Cuprisin. Those are the fun and heart-breaking matches because both teams are so evenly matched. It could go either way. RCLB won 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. On court 2, MTC’s Cheryl Cutinho and Kathy Nulton was able to in win 2 sets against RCLB’s Iyla Chandy and Sharon Deram 6-3, 6-4. On court 3, RCLB’s Donna Oldenburg and Debbie Marcusson was also able to win in 2 sets against MTC’s Marcia Florence and Jodi Brewer 6-4, 6-2. On court 4, RCLB’s Kelli Ventling and Midge Nelson paired up to win against MTC’s Karen Chandler and Stephanie Perlmutter 6-3, 6-1. On court 5, in another epically close match, MTC’s Leslie Antunovich and Cathy Grodzins stepped up their game after losing the 1st set against RCLB’s Sarah Long and Sarah Boyd to win 5-7, 6-3, 7-5. On court 6, RCLB’s Susan Moorman and Kim Robb took on MTC’s Silvia Cantwell and Cheryl Reid and won 6-1, 6-4. The Racquet Club of Lake Bluff won 4-2 against Midtown-Chicago.

NRC 4.5-Open Singles Finalists; L-R Audrey Koopsen, Terri Gordon, Liesel Jankelowitz, Chris Harris

When you play against a former Division 1 player, you hope they’re having an off day and that you’re having a stellar day.  You don’t want to downgrade your abilities but you also know who you are up against.  This wasn’t the first time NRC’s Audrey Koopsen had to play GRC’s Martina Wodzinski and try as she might, Audrey fell to Martina 6-0, 6-2.  On court 2 GRC’s Natalie Diorio had trouble with NRC’s Terri Gordon’s game but found some needed shots and got some breaks from Terri to win 3-6, 7-6(1), 1-0 (10-7).  On court 3, GRC’s Lynn Mueller had a close match against NRC’s Chris Harris 4-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-6).  On court 4, NRC’s Liesel Jankelowitz gave NRC their only win against GRC’s Joyce Salsburg 6-1, 6-3.  GRC wins 3-1 against NRC.

CPAC-West NCW3.0 Champions

College Park Athletic Club West was one of the new teams to this league. As with any new team and most especially with the 3.0 league, there is a lot to think about. Do I have enough players? Will they get discouraged if they lose? Or will they use the loss as an opportunity to keep improving their game. This league is unique because we have 2 sets of playoffs/finals. One is for the trophy and one is for the experience of playing in the playoffs and finals (backdraw playoffs). To get to the finals, CPAC-W had to move past their sister club, CPAC-E 2. I think I heard Ben and Jill had a friendly trash-talking exchange going. But I digress….CPAC-W played against North Shore Racquet Club at The Libertyville Club and won 3-1. On court 1, CPAC-W’s Kirsten Surber and Chris Bunning got off to a slow start but eventually prevailed against NSRC’s Kerry Melzl and Monica Morales 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. On court 2 NSRC’s Carmen Reihm and Deborah Hogan was able to move past CPAC-W’s Cissy Balut and Laura Warren 6-4, 6-2. On court 3, CPAC-W’s Lynda Forier and Linda Cardella kept the momentum up after winning the 1st set tie-breaker against NSRC’s Anne Crowley and Dee Fortson 7-6(6), 6-2. On court 4, CPAC-W’s Jacqui Nquyen and Linda Shoup were too much for NSRC’s Bobbi Rowe and Elizabeth Ciccolini 6-0, 6-1.

At Glenbrook Racquet Club, Midtown-Palatine played against Libertyville. While Midtown-Palatine swept all 4 courts, the players from Libertyville tried their best to keep the pace up. On court 1, MTP’s Wendy Rowden and Kelly Thut beat LIB’s Maria Bozinis and Ava Dechter. On court 2, MTP’s Karen Johnston and Dina Skinner delivered a 6-4, 6-1 win over LIB’s Tara McDonnell and Kirstin Griffith. On court 3 MTP’s Lara Berry and Kim Lee lost the first set to LIB’s Sandy Rogalski and Ginger Wang but was able to eek out 6-4, 6-4 win in sets 2 and 3. On court 4, MTP’s Marilyn Friel and Nancy Lagowski won against Karin Valenti and Gina Esperson.

Midtown-Palatine NCW4.0-4.5 Singles Champions L-R: Jennifer Lenahan, Sue Levy (captain), Sylvia Nelson, Kristin Lueken

You can never count out a team who is in …6th place? With two more matches before the playoffs, Midtown-Palatine was in 6th place. But the lineup they used in their last 2 matches prior to the playoffs, and into the playoffs and into the finals was the lineup they needed to edge out their sister club Midtown-Bannockburn 2. On court 1 MTB’s Karyn Sardar played against MTP’s Kristin Lueken and won the 1st set in a tie-breaker 7-6(2), lost some momentum in the 2nd set 2-6, but regrouped to win the match tie-breaker 10-8. MTP’s Jennifer Lenahan didn’t let up on MTB’s Narissa Breger and won 6-1, 6-2. On court 3, MTP’s Sylvia Nelson took on MTB’s Lisa Aronson. Lisa was up in the 1st set but Sylvia found a way to get past her and won 6-4, 6-0. On court 4, MTB’s Deann Zoghlin won 6-1, 6-3 against MTP’s Sue Levy. It was the 3 set match on court 1 which gave the win to Midtown-Palatine who won 5-4 in sets. (Not pictured in the photo above from Midtown-Palatine: Donna Beechick, Allison Biergans, Eileen Felicelli, Debbie Lancaster, Carrie Lynch, Karen Majerczak, Basia Mielnik, Jodie Shield, Kitty Swanson, Shelley Szela)

RCLB – NCW3.0-3.5 Champions; L-R Susan Moorman, Vanessa O’Kelly, Lyla Chandy, Sarah Boyd, Tara Martin, Lisette Dailey

The NC Women’s 3.0-3.5 Singles League finals took place on a different day than was scheduled due to the fact that several of the women from North Shore’s team was also scheduled to play in the 3.0 doubles finals. Next year the finals will be scheduled on a Tuesday. Three of the matches were played on Tuesday, May 6th and one of the matches was played on Wednesday, May 14th. On court 1 RCLB’s Iyla Chanda played against NSRC’s Linda Genty and won 6-2, 6-3. On court 2, the match had just started, NSRC’s Carmen Relhm was up 2-1, when RCLB’s Lisette Dailey felt something pull in her calf. She knew she could not go on and retired the match 6-1, 6-0. On court 3, Sarah Boyd took on NSRC’s Candice Stepan and won 6-2, 6-1. On court 4, RCLB’s Tara Martin played against NSRC’s Heather Martin and won 6-3, 6-1.

Midtown-Chicago NCW4.0Wed Champions Front row: Karen Chandler, Maura Starshuk, Kim Rizzo, Sandy Cuprisin, Cheryl Cutinho Back row: Cheryl Grodzins, Stephanie Perlmutter, Amanda Shaw, Kathy Nulton, Marcia Florence, Allison DeCastro

The NC Women’s 4.0 Wednesday finals took place at Midtown-Bannockburn.  Midtown-Chicago and Lakeshore Sports and Fitness, two clubs in Chicago less than a mile from one another, took the trek up to the North Shore to decide which team would have their name on the trophy.  What we do know is that Midtown-Chicago got off to a strong start and won courts 1,2, and 3 in 2 sets.  Those wins did not come without a lot of pushback from Lakeshore with close sets on all 3 courts. On court 1, MTC’s Maura Starshak and Cheryl Cutinho won against LSSF’s Erin Malley and Janine Sheridan 6-2, 7-5. On court 2 MTC’s Sandy Cuprisin and Kim Rizzo pulled out a close win over LSSF’s Jocelyn Durels and Sylvie Pichon 6-4, 7-5. On court 3 MTC’s Alison De Castro and Amanda Shaw took on LSSF’s Melanie Liss and Rachel Ellis and won 7-5, 6-2. LSSF’s Tracey Sartino and Penny Trowbridge won court 4 in 2 sets over MTC’s Marcia Florence and Kathy Nulton 6-1, 6-3.  It was Lakeshore’s only win.  On court 5, the last to get off the court Karen Chandler and Stephanie Perlmutter won in 3 sets over Adrienne Eybergen and Laura Keener.  They won 6-3, 6-7(0), 6-4. Close match!!  On court 6, MTC’s Leslie Antunovich and Cathy Grodzins won the first set 6-4, lost the second set 3-6 and won the third set 6-2 over LSSF’s Jennifer Roche and Annette Pruss.  Midtown-Chicago takes home the trophy for the NC Women’s 4.0 Wednesday league 2014.

Midtown-Palatine NCW3.5 Champions          Standing L-R Amanda Patten, Susie Kilayko, Beth Zawilenski, Gina Quatrochi, Lisa Nora, Sue Levy, Anne Feely; kneeling L-R Jessica Trzop, Robin Mussar, Bonnie Kipperman, Alaina Murawski (captain), Kitty Skor

The finals of the NC Women’s 3.5 league took place at Glenbrook Racquet Club with The Racquet Club of Lake Bluff (RCLB) competing against Midtown Athletic Club-Palatine (MTP).  Midtown-Palatine had on their team tennis outfits of purple and black making it easy to identify them on the court.  The Racquet Club of Lake Bluff came with a group of supporters including Lisette Daily who was supposed to play but injured herself playing in the 3.0-3.5 singles finals.  On court 1, MTP’s Anne Feely and Sue Levy won against RCLB’s Midge Nelson and Susan Moorman 6-4, 6-3.  On court 2, RCLB’s Tara Martin and Sarah Boyd won against MTP’s Bonnie Kipperman and Beth Zawilenski 6-2, 6-2.  On court 3, MTP’s Lisa Nora and Robin Mussar won against RCLB’s Georgene Loos and Alison Tompkins 6-1, 6-2.  On court 4 RCLB’s Donna Mazur and Proachie Mehta won against MTP’s  Kitty Skor and Amanda Patten 6-4, 6-3.  Are you detecting a pattern?  On court 5, MTP’s Alaina Murawski and Gina Quatrochi won against RCLB’s Lisa Hunt and Vanessa O’Kelly 6-1, 6-3.  And on court 6, RCLB’s Cecile Schoenhelder and Terri Karst won against MTP’s Susie Kilayko and Jessica Trzop 7-5, 6-3.  Matches were tied; sets were tied; but Midtown-Palatine came out ahead in games and won 55 games to 51 games. (Not pictured in photo above from Midtown-Palatine: Kirsten Ball, Elizabeth Jiminez, Davida Kozlowski, Patrice Lindbert, Amanda McWhorter, Susanne Nagel, Alicia Tisbo and Lisa Warren)

RCLB – Men”s Singles Champions L-R Nick Andres, Jared Suttles, Enoch Leung, Mike Raymond

It was a repeat for the team from The Racquet Club of Lake Bluff who took on the team from the Libertyville Club at the hosting site The Lincolnshire Club on May 4th.  The 3rd set match tie-breaker on court 1 was the deciding factor.  But  first, on court 4 LIB’s Matt Deans won against RCLB’s Jared Suttles 6-2, 6-1.  Soon after, on court 2, RCLB’s Nick Andres won against LIB’s David Sitko 6-3, 6-3.  Matches tied, sets tied, but games in favor of Libertyville.  Courts 1 and 3 are still on the court and feeling the pressure.  On court 3, RCLB’s Mike Raymond had to play a 3rd set match tie-breaker against LIB’s David Currie  and won 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7).  That match put RCLB ahead in matches.  On court 1, the 2nd set was still being played out.  After losing the 1st set, LIB’s Dennis Dobrin was able to change the momentum and win the 2nd set against RCLB’s Enoch Leung.  All the players from courts 2-4 were on the court watching the outcome adding to the pressure.  Dennis Dobrin took the lead in the match tie-breaker, but Enoch Leung kept his cool and played steady, penetrating points to even it out and then win the match 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (11-9).    RCLB wins 3-1 over LIB.  Excellent tennis all around!!

The High School leagues are the only leagues where coaching is allowed.  Some coaches can be overly enthusiastic and some more subdued,but in the end,the players hopefully benefit from getting some strategic pointers on the game we love.  Glenbrook’s weapon are the Mella sisters who won their matches against North Shore 2’s team.  North Shore, on court 2, turned around a 1st set 6-0 loss to win the 2nd and 3rd sets 7-6 (7), 6-2.  Glenbrook won 2-1.  Lincolnshire played against the Racquet Club of Lake Bluff.  Lincolnshire won their matches on courts 1 and 2 and RC Lake Bluff won on court 3.  Glenbrook will play against Lincolnshire at The Lincolnshire Club on May 10th at 6pm.

College Park East and Midtown-Chicago are in the finals again.  Last year College Park took the trophy home but three years prior to that Midtown-Chicago did the same.  But in order to get to the finals they had to get past North Shore and River Trails.  CPAC-E’s won the top 4 courts but all the matches were close.  River Trails took the bottom 2 courts.  Midtown-Chicago won 4 of the 6 matches against North Shore with a nail-biter on court 1 which was won by North Shore in a 3rd set tie-breaker.  The Men’s Open finals will take place at College Park East on May 10th at 4pm.

River Trails and Midtown-Palatine came into the Men’s 4.5 playoffs as the #1 and 2 team respectively and both of their Men’s 4.0 teams were headed to the finals.  So one might assume the same would happen to their Men’s 4.5 teams but in both cases their dominance was cut short.  River Trails played against North Shore and were tied in matches (3-3), but having North Shore win two of their matches in 2 sets and one match in 3 sets gave them a one set lead over River Trails to get them to the finals.  Midtown-Palatine had the benefit of receiving a default from The Racquet Club of Lake Bluff so they already were ahead 1-0 at the start of the match but RCLB wasn’t about to make it easy for Midtown-Palatine.  Court 5 gave MTP another 2 set win but RCLB countered with a 2 set win on court 2.  Then one by one on courts 1,3 and 4, each of the 3 set matches came off the court as a win for RCLB who won 4-2.  RCLB will play NSRC in the finals at College Park Athletic Club on May 10th at 2pm.

Two years ago River Trails and Midtown-Palatine met in the finals and Midtown-Palatine took all 6 courts.  Last year Midtown-Palatine met River Trails in the playoffs and took 4 out of the 6 courts.  This year, RTTC and MTP meet again in the finals and we shall see which team will hoist up the trophy.  In order to get to the finals though, River Trails played against College Park East 2.  It was because two of their court wins were 2 set matches that they edged out CPAC-E 2.  Midtown-Palatine played against Libertyville with 4 of the 6 matches going to 3 sets.  Unfortunately for Libertyville, 2 of the matches MTP won were 2 set wins which gave them the edge in sets.  River Trails and Midtown-Palatine will play at College Park East on May 10th at 12pm.

River Trails shared the travails of getting players to the right location and on time.  RTTC played against RC Lake Bluff with players from both sides just managing to get there on time or being late.  Talk about anxiety.  RTTC won 3-1 over RCLB and will play against North Shore Racquet Club.  In North Shore’s match up against Midtown-Palatine, all the matches were 2 setters.  Both matches took place at 10am.  NSRC won courts 1 and 2 and MTP won courts 3 and 4.  In games, NSRC won 37-33 over MTP.  RTTC will play NSRC at College Park Athletic Club on May 10th at 10 am.  Hopefully everyone will get there on time.

The top three courts of Glenbrook’s team won decisively with the bottom three courts up for grabs.  Glenbrook was able to pull out one more win at court 4 with a 3 set win over College Park East’s team.  GRC won 4-2 against CPAC-E.  North Shore, who has repeatedly been champions in the Open Red league, played against Northbrook.  Northbrook’s matches started first.  NRC won courts 4-6.  Court 3 clinched it for NRC 4-2.  On court 1, if they hadn’t replaced the balls in the 3rd set, the fuzz on them would have been gone.   Great playing!!  The finals will take place at College Park Athletic Club on May 9th at 10:30am.

Sometimes you make it to the playoffs and your key players can’t play.  You hope for the best with the players you have.  River Trails came up short and had to default 2 courts which put them in the hole 0-2 at the start.  Midtown-Palatine with 23 qualified players drew on their strength and won 6-0 against River Trails.  Midtown-Bannockburn 2 (they have 2 teams in this league) played against RC Lake Bluff and won 4-2. The finals for the Open Green will take place at Five Seasons Family Sports Club on May 9th at 11am.

Lakeshore Sports and Fitness and Mdtown-Chicago were tightly matched.  Three out of the six matches went to a 3rd set and the 2 set matches were very close.  In the end, LSSF won 4-2 over Midtown-Chicago.  North Shore played against River Trails and won 4-2.  Lakeshore will play against North Shore at Glenbrook Racquet Club on May 9th at 12pm.

The NC Women’s Green Playoffs will pit Midtown-Palatine against Lincolnshire.  Midtown-Palatine won by 2 sets against RC Lake Bluff.  The matches were tied 3-3 but Midtown-Palatine won 8-6 in sets.  Lincolnshire thought they had lost but unfortunately for North Shore, an ineligible player was played on court 1.  A player must play 3 times during the regular season to qualify for the playoffs.  As a result all points from court 1 down to court 6 went to Lincolnshire.  The NCW4.5 Green finals will take place at Glenbrook Racquet Club on May 9th at 10am.

It is fitting that the two teams who were tied for first place should play against each other.  The Racquet Club of Lake Bluff played against Midtown-Palatine and won 4-2.  Midtown-Chicago played against River Trail and won 4-2.  The finals take place at Northbrook Racquet Club on May 9th at 12pm.

College Park West will go up against North Shore in the trophy finals on May 8th at The Libertyville Club at 11:30am.  Midtown-Palatine will go up against Libertyville in the experience finals on May 8th at Glenbrook Racquet Club at 10am.

The NCW3.0-3.5 Singles Finalists are RCLB and NSRC. RCLB had a 3-1 win over GRC and NSRC had a 3-1 win over CPAC-W. Courts 3 and 4 had to go to a match tie-breaker which ended up favoring NSRC.
The NCW 4.0-4.5 Singles Finalists are MTP and MTB 2. #4 MTP ousted #1 RCLB winning 35-29 in games.
The NCW 4.5-Open Singles Finalists are NRC and GRC.  GRC won the top 2 courts.  MTB 2 the bottom 2 courts but the number of games made the difference.  GRC won 38 games to MTB 2’s 32 games.