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Monday, July 30, 2012

News Flash.....

Just a quick update.  First I'd like to mention the name of Natalie's singles opponent,  Romana Tedjakusma.  She is a fine young lady and competitor!

Well today was supposed to start with me completing the Grouse Grind.  Otherwise known as nature's stair master.  It is 2,830 stairs up a mountain.  I think at something like 56% grade.  But those plans changed to tomorrow....why.....well cuz Natalie and Jackie were to play the qualifier for doubles. 

And play they did, for the first time together they sure clicked well.  Now granted the other team were younger up coming home town gals....but our team played very solid dubs for sure.   A we bit of "treeing" if you know what I mean....at times.  Fun to watch.  With that win, they move onto the dubs main draw tomorrow....5th on.  So, that's code for maybe around 4 or 5 p.m. 

I will keep watching the bouncing ball and reporting back to you.  Love and Blessings!  Sherry

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Bonjour from Canada!

Bonjour from Canada!

Well, that didn't go so well.  Natalie started out nervous....not sure why....maybe all the hype.  She lost in two straight sets to a very nice gal in the top 500.  Too many errors, oooo well back to the drawing board.  Much to take away from the experience that is for sure!  We are the learners today and learn we will.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

aaaahhhhhh yea......she's in....

Our leap of faith worked out....Thank you Lord!   Natalie has gotten into the qualifier draw....she plays in the morning at 10.  Woot!
After a beautiful drive from Seattle to Vancouver, we found our way through the traffic and detours of the city to our awesome hotel.  Currently, we find ourselves at the Hollybury Country Club for practice.  And of course to eagerly await for the news on entry into the tournament.  

Friday, July 27, 2012

Check this out! Big event coming up! Come out and support!!

http://www.facebook.com/events/404199769628501/

On the road again

Waking up in Seattle, getting ready to head to Vancouver.  Currently the 6th alternate, come on! Need to get in!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Catching Ya'll Up.....

Welcome,

Thought I would post review of Natalie's on court experience for the last couple of months.  The last tournament of her college career would also be her last appearance in the NCAAs.  Natalie made it through the singles draw to lose in the round of 16, earning the All American title for singles.  She and her partner Kata worked their way through the doubles draw to lose in the semi finals.  Both of these Lady Volunteers earned the All American title for doubles.  Very exciting indeed and a wonderful way for Natalie to end a wonder career at UT.  Becoming a 4x All American was one of her goals going into her freshman year, so she was very excited to have accomplished it.

A few days after the NCAAs, we found ourselves flying to El Paso's 25K for Natalie's first tourney as a professional player.  She had a solid start, winning a her way through the qualifying tourney to move into the main draw.  We had a great time with some of the friends we met last year, Charlie, Donna, Tessa and Nicole to mention a few.  We have grown to love El Paso and the folks there.

Upon our return Natalie headed to Florida to train, preparing for the US Open Series tourney here in the ATL.  Unfortunately, this tourney started the hottest weekend we have had this summer.  Natalie played singles and mixed doubles (partner: Hunter Reese - UT men's team).  She played nine matches in four days, in temps of 102, 106, 101, 100 with 100 percent humidity.  It was insane!  She was in a battle during the final of singles when she hit the brick wall of heat distress.  Going down in the 3rd set 4-0.....when I guess the pedilyte kicked in and she won 6 games in a roll and the title.  Crazy comeback for sure!  Two hours later, she found herself back on the court in the mixed dubs finals.  She and Hunter played well but came up a little short.  They had a great time on the court together, hopefully they will play again soon.  Winning this title gives Natalie a bid into a wild card tournament in August. We will head to New Haven, CT, where she will be one of thirteen playing for the WC into the qualifier draw of the US Open.  Exciting Indeed!

A few days later, we headed to Yakima, Washington.  This would be Natalie's first 50K tourney.  Exhausted from the nine matches played a few days earlier, Natalie had to get it together.  And she did, starting in the qualifier draw and winning her way into the main.  She beat the #257 player in the world and was excited, a good win for sure.  Natalie teamed up with Elizabeth Lumpkin to play doubles.  They played very well together, losing in the semi final match.  Another solid tournament for Natalie and a good start to her career and the building of her rankings.  The wins from this tourney moved her up in rankings considerably.  Must say we were lucky to meet Chuck and Lisa while sharing nachos.  What lovely folks, they had us over for a home cooked meal and to pick cherries in their yard.  It was cherry time in Washington St, OMG fabulous....I've .....we've never eaten sooooo many cherries in our lives.  Cherries in Washington State is like peaches in July to us in Georgia.

Natalie flew red eye directly to the 10K Evansville, Indiana....while I flew home.  I drove to Indiana the next day to meet her.  She was feeling the road beat from two straight weeks and what 16 matches.  Not to mention the time and weather changes.  She lost in the first round of singles to the 6th seed.  However, she and Mallory Burdette played doubles together.  They beat the #1 seeded team on their way to the finals.  Losing in the finals, but a great tournament for sure.  A great doubles team.  It was nice for Natalie to still be playing but able to rest because she was out of singles.  We were pleasantly surprised with Evansville, it has sooo much to offer.  Our friend Joe Punke drove over from Louisville to watch Natalie in the semi final and final of dubs.  Was good to spend time with Joe, he has watched Natalie in high school sports, college sports and now on the tour.

Well, with a few days at home running around like nuts.  We find ourselves ALMOST prepared to leave tomorrow for the 100K Vancouver tourney.  As of now, Natalie isn't "in" the tourney yet.  But, as we take the leap of faith, we feel she has a very good chance to get in for both singles and dubs.  I will continue to update.

I'll keep following the bouncing ball and reporting back to you!  Love and Blessings.....Sherry