After teetering between the main and qualifying draws for most of the day, Natalie was finally told she made it into the main. Delighted, she has a few more days to recover from yesterday's long travel day and adjust to the time change.
Nat was able to spend some time with her best friend Carly last night and today. Carly played high school basketball with Nat and then went onto play college softball at FSU. She is currently an assistant coach at Fresno State. I'm sure Natalie and Carly had a great time catching up with each other.
Tomorrow and Sunday will be a practice days. The singles main draw and the dubs main draw will be released on Sunday. After which, we will know if Natalie will play on Monday or Tuesday.
At the risk of a jinx if I don't do this.....I must give a shout out to Riskey (Nat's nickname for her), for another "W" at "W". Beating Poland's Radwanska today. Huge win! Way to go Allie.....soooo proud of you! Good luck in the next round!
Until the schedule of lil yellow ball is released.....Love and Blessings.....Sherry!
Friday, June 28, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Heading West
After six hours of running around the Atlanta airport today, Natalie is finally on her way to San Francisco. Not Sacramento, as originally planned ....guess mother nature had other plans. The good news, she was put in first class, so right bout now she should be enjoying a cool glass of water and a treat. Meanwhile, I contacted her best friend Carly who has graciously agreed to pick Nat up and drive her to Sacramento tomorrow. Then contacted Jackie so that she can call their host and inform her as to Nat's whereabouts. Followed by throwing away all my notes identifying today's flights to several different cities and shuttle service info. Wew, glad that is over and she is in the air!
Currently, Natalie is three out of the main draw in Sacramento. Hopefully, she will make it in, if not....good match play and start to this tour of tourneys. Looking at Yakima, she has moved to one out of the qualifying draw, a huge jump from yesterday. Portland's lists were released and she is the 37th alternate to the qualifying draw, hopefully she will move in.
The qualifying draw will start on Saturday in Sacramento. Natalie will check in tomorrow and find out if she will get into the main or qualifier. If she gets into the main, she will not play until Monday or Tuesday. She and Jackie will play doubles, which will also begin on Monday or Tuesday.
Time to log off, and try to get something other then tennis done today. Until the lil yellow ball bounces....Love and Blessings....Sherry!
Currently, Natalie is three out of the main draw in Sacramento. Hopefully, she will make it in, if not....good match play and start to this tour of tourneys. Looking at Yakima, she has moved to one out of the qualifying draw, a huge jump from yesterday. Portland's lists were released and she is the 37th alternate to the qualifying draw, hopefully she will move in.
The qualifying draw will start on Saturday in Sacramento. Natalie will check in tomorrow and find out if she will get into the main or qualifier. If she gets into the main, she will not play until Monday or Tuesday. She and Jackie will play doubles, which will also begin on Monday or Tuesday.
Time to log off, and try to get something other then tennis done today. Until the lil yellow ball bounces....Love and Blessings....Sherry!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Heading to Gold River
At the practice court, Natalie is readying herself to leave for Cali on Thursday. Many Thanks to Anne for a buddy pass. We def couldn't be doing all this without all the wonderful help that we are receiving. Maybe one day soon, we can stop begging because some sponsors will fall from the sky. And ...Or....Natalie will be well on her way up the rankings ladder and to the WTAs.
Currently, Nat is fourth out of the main for the FSP Gold River Women's 50K Challenger. She has a really good chance of making the main for she is the second American out. Which means a possible wild card into the main.
The main's makeup of talent ranges from 130th in the world to 441. With the qualifying draw's range being 443 through non ranked. Natalie's highest ranking thus far is her current ranking of 484 in the world.
Following the Gold River tourney, Natalie will meet me in Seattle on July 5th. We will drive over to Yakima, Washington, where she will hopefully participate in their second annual Yakima Regional Hospital 50K Challenger. We loved it there last year and are looking forward to the cherry harvest.
However, the make up of the draws is crazy tough. As of yesterday, Natalie was 31 spots out of the qualifying draw, today she is 24 out. Guess some players are coming back from grass season in England. The main's makeup of talent ranges from 90th in the world to 207th. With the qualifying draw's range being 214 through 344. A vast difference then the draw make up of the Sacramento tourney.
Another bit of interesting info would be that Yakima is the first of three tourneys involved with a US Open Wildcard bid. The American player, that gathers the most main draw ranking points at the three tourneys will secure a wild card. The tournaments are Yakima, Portland and Lexington. Last year, Burdette won the wildcard with her great run at the third tourney in that year's trifecta. BTW...Burdette will be someone you will get to know more, watch for her at the US Open.
As for doubles, Natalie will play with Jackie Cako. You may remember their success last year. Winning the 25K at Rock Hill and the 75K in Phoenix. Not to mention a finals appearance at the Vancouver 100K, their first outing together. Jackie graduated in May and is now free to play with Natalie on a full time basis. Fingers crossed for their future successes!
I have to give a few shout outs....first to Emily Harman for her first 10K doubles title, second to Sanaz Marand for her 25K win in El Paso and her great run at the tourneys before that, Allison Riske who is doing well on the grass courts of England and won her first round of Wimbledon. (yes the opponent stopped match due to injury, but because Allie has done well at tourneys prior to it, she was given a wild card....and.....hey....its her first "W" at "W".....woot!) These three American players are friends of Natalie and def make hers and my tourney travels fun! So Congrats Ladies!
There's the lil yellow ball's update for now, so until it commences.....Love and Blessings...Sherry
Currently, Nat is fourth out of the main for the FSP Gold River Women's 50K Challenger. She has a really good chance of making the main for she is the second American out. Which means a possible wild card into the main.
The main's makeup of talent ranges from 130th in the world to 441. With the qualifying draw's range being 443 through non ranked. Natalie's highest ranking thus far is her current ranking of 484 in the world.
Following the Gold River tourney, Natalie will meet me in Seattle on July 5th. We will drive over to Yakima, Washington, where she will hopefully participate in their second annual Yakima Regional Hospital 50K Challenger. We loved it there last year and are looking forward to the cherry harvest.
However, the make up of the draws is crazy tough. As of yesterday, Natalie was 31 spots out of the qualifying draw, today she is 24 out. Guess some players are coming back from grass season in England. The main's makeup of talent ranges from 90th in the world to 207th. With the qualifying draw's range being 214 through 344. A vast difference then the draw make up of the Sacramento tourney.
Another bit of interesting info would be that Yakima is the first of three tourneys involved with a US Open Wildcard bid. The American player, that gathers the most main draw ranking points at the three tourneys will secure a wild card. The tournaments are Yakima, Portland and Lexington. Last year, Burdette won the wildcard with her great run at the third tourney in that year's trifecta. BTW...Burdette will be someone you will get to know more, watch for her at the US Open.
As for doubles, Natalie will play with Jackie Cako. You may remember their success last year. Winning the 25K at Rock Hill and the 75K in Phoenix. Not to mention a finals appearance at the Vancouver 100K, their first outing together. Jackie graduated in May and is now free to play with Natalie on a full time basis. Fingers crossed for their future successes!
I have to give a few shout outs....first to Emily Harman for her first 10K doubles title, second to Sanaz Marand for her 25K win in El Paso and her great run at the tourneys before that, Allison Riske who is doing well on the grass courts of England and won her first round of Wimbledon. (yes the opponent stopped match due to injury, but because Allie has done well at tourneys prior to it, she was given a wild card....and.....hey....its her first "W" at "W".....woot!) These three American players are friends of Natalie and def make hers and my tourney travels fun! So Congrats Ladies!
There's the lil yellow ball's update for now, so until it commences.....Love and Blessings...Sherry
Friday, June 21, 2013
Peaches and racquets
Peaches, peaches.... and more peaches. Let's not forget the peach salsa and jam too! That's what the Pluskotas having been doing for most of June...selling those items at our stands. Life's a beach eat a peach!
Natalie has been helping at the stands and giving lessons when not at practice. She is preparing for a five week outing. Starting next week at a 50k in Sacremento. Then to Yakima, Washington, then back to Cali, then to Vancouver. Well that's the plan as of today anyway.
The hunt for a new racquet is finally over, she has settle on Head. Unfortunately at this stage of the game, no racquet sponsor yet. Amazing how much is spent on sports in the US and still it's hard for our American players to get a piece of the pie. Maybe one day!
That's about it for now, the Lil yellow ball will bounce next week ... until then.... Love and Blessings...Sherry!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Pluskota's Rankings on the Rise
Rankings on the Rise.....Congrats Natalie!
New Rankings:
Singles: 484
Doubles: 165
Natalie broke into the four hundreds in singles for the first time. Also, moved up a few spots in doubles. She has had good results, therefore she moves up! Congrats Nat!
New Rankings:
Singles: 484
Doubles: 165
Natalie broke into the four hundreds in singles for the first time. Also, moved up a few spots in doubles. She has had good results, therefore she moves up! Congrats Nat!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Pro Am Las Cruces....video
Pro Am at the Las Cruces Tourney at New Mexico State University
What a wonderful group of people and tennis fans!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Las Cruces dubs update, video highlights of EP semi final dubs
Sorry for the lack of updates the last few days, but we have been tied up with trying to get home via stand by airline tickets. In Las Cruces, Natalie and Jackie lost in the round of 16 of doubles to Harmon/Lumpkin in a breaker in lieu of a third set.
The Pluskota's peach stand is OPEN! We have a stand at Hall's on Raymond Hill and Fischer Road, Friday-Sunday. The Shell gas station near Texas Roadhouse, Saturday-Sunday. We have peaches straight from the tree, peach salsa and peach preserves. Come and see us or call us!
Here is the video highlights of the El Paso, Hunts USTA 25K Women's Pro Tennis Classic semi final dubs match.
The Pluskota's peach stand is OPEN! We have a stand at Hall's on Raymond Hill and Fischer Road, Friday-Sunday. The Shell gas station near Texas Roadhouse, Saturday-Sunday. We have peaches straight from the tree, peach salsa and peach preserves. Come and see us or call us!
Here is the video highlights of the El Paso, Hunts USTA 25K Women's Pro Tennis Classic semi final dubs match.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Played like a fiddle....
Yesterday's singles match definitely proved that an older seasoned player can play the chair umpire like a fiddle. It was unreal to say the least. Unfortunately, his ego is not going to allow himself to grow from the experience.....hasn't a clue!
An example of the shenanigans would be, Natalie just serves and wins a great point. Then goes to the line to serve ....opponent begins to walk to line to receive and decides she needs to get a drink. Walks off the court to her stuff and grabs a bottle of water takes a drink. Then walks to back corner of the court sets the drink down then walks to the line to receive. All the while Natalie is waiting at the line to serve and asks the chair umpire if that should be going on in the middle of her service game. No real response from the chair. Unfortunate that a match was not allowed to be played with fairness to both sides of the net so that we could witness tennis at its best. Instead we witness a match destroyed by a chair empire and newly trained line judges. What an embarrassment and disgrace to the others that represent the official uniform in the best ways possible.....unfortunate indeed.
That was just the first bar of music on the fiddle. The rest of the bars are not worth writing about, would hate to give other players ideas to use on the court. Considering this chair umpire is still around....I would hate for others to be treated as Natalie was yesterday. Besides when this type of player gets to the big concerts, their strums will fall on the deaf ears of seasoned fiddlers.
Happy to say that Natalie is playing very good tennis and the best is yet to come! I know she will be happy to be back on sea level courts that are absent of 50 m.p.h. winds. And I even think she will begin to love humidity....hahahahah ....not me!
Although Nat's singles tourney ended yesterday, today is doubles day. She and Jackie will play 4th on after 10....which of course is code for 3ish. The opponents are Lumpkin and Harmon. Should be a great match of doubles between four great non fiddle player ladies. Hopefully, we will NOT have the same chair umpire....but I'm predicting we will.
Time to get busy and ready to follow that lil yellow bouncing ball....until then...Love and Blessings....Sherry!
An example of the shenanigans would be, Natalie just serves and wins a great point. Then goes to the line to serve ....opponent begins to walk to line to receive and decides she needs to get a drink. Walks off the court to her stuff and grabs a bottle of water takes a drink. Then walks to back corner of the court sets the drink down then walks to the line to receive. All the while Natalie is waiting at the line to serve and asks the chair umpire if that should be going on in the middle of her service game. No real response from the chair. Unfortunate that a match was not allowed to be played with fairness to both sides of the net so that we could witness tennis at its best. Instead we witness a match destroyed by a chair empire and newly trained line judges. What an embarrassment and disgrace to the others that represent the official uniform in the best ways possible.....unfortunate indeed.
That was just the first bar of music on the fiddle. The rest of the bars are not worth writing about, would hate to give other players ideas to use on the court. Considering this chair umpire is still around....I would hate for others to be treated as Natalie was yesterday. Besides when this type of player gets to the big concerts, their strums will fall on the deaf ears of seasoned fiddlers.
Happy to say that Natalie is playing very good tennis and the best is yet to come! I know she will be happy to be back on sea level courts that are absent of 50 m.p.h. winds. And I even think she will begin to love humidity....hahahahah ....not me!
Although Nat's singles tourney ended yesterday, today is doubles day. She and Jackie will play 4th on after 10....which of course is code for 3ish. The opponents are Lumpkin and Harmon. Should be a great match of doubles between four great non fiddle player ladies. Hopefully, we will NOT have the same chair umpire....but I'm predicting we will.
Time to get busy and ready to follow that lil yellow bouncing ball....until then...Love and Blessings....Sherry!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Will the lessons learned, help?
A late afternoon practice followed by the Pro Am and we were on the way home bout 8 p.m. For some reason the heat was getting the best of the both of yesterday. We seemed to have hit the ceiling of tolerance, hopefully today will be better.
Our gal is fourth on after 10....which of course is code for 4ish. Natalie will be facing Jelena Pandzic (CRO) (344), a very nice player and person. They have been on opposite sides of the net last fall, in Rock Hill. Nat lost to her 5-7, 3-6. One hopes that the lessons learned that day will help Nat become the winner today.
Our number 1 seeded team will not play doubles until tomorrow. Their opponents will be fellow Americans, Elizabeth Lumpken and Emily Harmon. Who are tourney ranked 606. You may remember these names, for Natalie has played dub against and with these two fine ladies. The last time being in Indian Harbour, when Nat fell on the first point. Although injured and bleeding from eight different sites, Natalie and her partner went on to be the victors.
Since the match is so late today, Natalie is still sleeping. Not accustom to having time in the morning, I will make the best of it and do some errands. Then we will be off to chase and watch the lil yellow ball ....until then....Love and Blessings....Sherry!
Our gal is fourth on after 10....which of course is code for 4ish. Natalie will be facing Jelena Pandzic (CRO) (344), a very nice player and person. They have been on opposite sides of the net last fall, in Rock Hill. Nat lost to her 5-7, 3-6. One hopes that the lessons learned that day will help Nat become the winner today.
Our number 1 seeded team will not play doubles until tomorrow. Their opponents will be fellow Americans, Elizabeth Lumpken and Emily Harmon. Who are tourney ranked 606. You may remember these names, for Natalie has played dub against and with these two fine ladies. The last time being in Indian Harbour, when Nat fell on the first point. Although injured and bleeding from eight different sites, Natalie and her partner went on to be the victors.
Since the match is so late today, Natalie is still sleeping. Not accustom to having time in the morning, I will make the best of it and do some errands. Then we will be off to chase and watch the lil yellow ball ....until then....Love and Blessings....Sherry!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Today, Tomorrow and Peaches
Hello from El Paso! Natalie is still sleeping, an added bonus when you don't have to play in the qualifier of a tournament. We drove the 35 miles to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to "check in" for the next one. After a productive practice we headed back to our host's home for a great dinner. We thank Donna for being a wonderful hostess and for the delicious dinner.
We will continue to house in El Paso for the Las Cruces tournament. Making the short trek everyday for practice and or matches. Tomorrow evening there will be a Pro Am. Nat will participate as long as she doesn't have an early match the next day. We will find out late tomorrow if she will play her first main draw rounds on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Today will be a practice day, she has three hitting partners lined up. Then a trip to the awesome outlet mall to see if we can luck into some cheap tennis clothes. Hopefully, someday soon a sponsor will be knocking on her door and we can end the hunt.
Just a reminder.....our Peach Stands have opened. Will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Hall's parking lot. Open on Saturday and Sunday at the Shell near Texas Roadhouse. We are selling Peach Salsa and jellies too. Let any Pluskota know what your needs are and we will take care of them and you!
Off to get ready, hopefully without poking the sleeping bear! Have a great Sunday....Love and Blessings....Sherry!
We will continue to house in El Paso for the Las Cruces tournament. Making the short trek everyday for practice and or matches. Tomorrow evening there will be a Pro Am. Nat will participate as long as she doesn't have an early match the next day. We will find out late tomorrow if she will play her first main draw rounds on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Today will be a practice day, she has three hitting partners lined up. Then a trip to the awesome outlet mall to see if we can luck into some cheap tennis clothes. Hopefully, someday soon a sponsor will be knocking on her door and we can end the hunt.
Just a reminder.....our Peach Stands have opened. Will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Hall's parking lot. Open on Saturday and Sunday at the Shell near Texas Roadhouse. We are selling Peach Salsa and jellies too. Let any Pluskota know what your needs are and we will take care of them and you!
Off to get ready, hopefully without poking the sleeping bear! Have a great Sunday....Love and Blessings....Sherry!
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