Today and Tomorrow....live video feed link too

Wew....just got home from a very long day.  Natalie played very good tennis during her singles match but just did not allow herself to win.  She was up in score almost every game and would lose em.  It is the craziest thing to witness....she needs to believe.  Her point of view after the match is so skewed, like she is talking about an entirely different match then what I'm watching.  Just a matter of time, before it will all fall into place mentally, she just has to allow herself to win!  She lost 1,2.

A few hours after singles our team took to the doubles court.  Winning the first set 6-3 was impressive.  However the second set....aahhhh....not so much.  Too many simple unforced errors cost us the set, losing it 3-6.  So onto a breaker in lieu of a third set.  We played well taking control and the lead to 8-5.  Then a bit of a struggle to finally win the breaker 10-8. 

Tomorrow Natalie and Jac will play a featured match on center court.  It will be on the live video feed, the link is below.  They should begin around 8 p.m. our time, which is 11 p.m. Georgia time.  The opponents are Naomi Brody and Emily Webly-Smith both of (GRB), who are tourney ranked 450.   Our team has not played this team in the past.  They have played Brody with a different partner.

Live video feed link:

http://www.vanopen.com/live-streaming.html

I've been up since 4 a.m......not by choice.....eyes just popped open.....sooooo time to close em!  Until the lil yellow ball finds its way to center court tomorrow....Love and Blessings.....Sherry!

Times for matches

Natalie will be first on tomorrow at 10 a.m. our time.....1 p.m. Georgia time.  She will play dubs fourth on after 10 which is code for 4ish.  No live video feed that I know of.....but there is live scoring either on the WTA phone application or on the tourney web page.  Link to web page can be found in one of my previous blogs.

Until the little yellow ball begins to bounce tomorrow....Love and Blessings EH.....Sherry!

Today, tomorrow....Yakima Video

Good day from the cool north, Canada.  We are totally enjoying the weather here, a wonderful change from the rain of Georgia and the heat of Cali.  Was able to take a great hike near Cleveland Dam with Katie yesterday, was great to get to know her better.  What an amazing young lady!

For the past few days Natalie has been on the practice courts, waiting for the main draw to begin.  Which it did today, but not her.  She will begin play in both the singles and dubs main draws tomorrow.  In singles she will face Yureka Sema (JPN), who is currently ranked 202 in the world.  Nat has not faced this opponent in the past.  However, Natalie has faced her sister in dubs in Portland.  Speaking of dubs,  Yureka and her sister Ereka will face our team tomorrow.  They are tourney ranked 345.  Our team is tourney ranked 335.  I'm sure it will be good dubs, although after what I witnessed in Portland, will probably be drama driven.

Don't forget that I posted the link to the tourney site in a previous blog entry.  Please feel free to follow the live scores and or video feed.  Not sure at this point if our matches will be on video feed, but may know that today.

Below is the video I put together of some of the memories of the tournament and people of Yakima, Washington.  They are always wonderful hosts and run a great tourney!  Thank you Yakima!

http://youtu.be/o5O_9pFp7eI

Shout out to our house moms and dads!

SHOUT OUT TO OUR HOUSE MOMS AND DADS!

Many thanks to Hy and Leslie for being our hosts.  We had so much fun with them and their family....Anna, Shelley and Chico (toothless dog)  They and their awesome friends made for a great cheering section!  BTW... Hy....Nat and I are looking forward to collecting on the Google Tour raincheck!  And Anna and Shelley, I hate we didn't get a pic!

These two very tall lovely sisters  ;).....were Nat's house moms in Sacramento. To the left is Juliet, Nat, Stephanie.  They traveled over 2 1/2 hours to Palo Alto to watch Nat "not" play and then again when she played.  What great bubbly ladies, just wish we weren't "working" so we could have had some great girl fun! 

Nat's WTA Debut....Pics....Vancouver's Webpage

Just arrived in Vancouver, Canada a short time ago.  Was greeted by Nat and Jac at our host family's home.  Had some good news, Natalie has been given a wild card into the main draw of this 100K.  Therefore, she will not begin play till either Tuesday or Wednesday.  There will be live scoring and video feed here is the tourney webpage link:

http://www.vanopen.com/index.html


Since I've struggled with having time with a good server the last two weeks, decided to post the pictures from the Bank West Tourney and work by way backwards in time.   Hopefully posting the pics from Yakima and Portland in the near future..

Here is a glimpse via my lens of Natalie's debut on the court of a WTA event:

Waiting to be Introduced

A quick glimpse at our great cheering section!

Coin toss and placement of WTA advertisement stickers

Love this shot of Nat and the yawning fan in the background....hahahah

Spears and Kops-Jones

Congrats on your first WTA Event!

Cali update

Natalie and Jackie lost to the one seeds last night.  3-6, 2-6.  The match finished around 11ish.  Then we went home washed, packed, booked a flight.  Two and half hours later I took at to the airport for a 7 a.m. flight.  Going back to the house, I showered loaded the car and headed north.  Just stopped for breakfast, yes it is 12:09 p.m. Here but now I have the time to eat.

Natalie and Jackie flew to Seattle and will drive to Vancouver today.  My drive will be about 17 hours, hoping to get there Sunday.  Once I have dependable Internet I will write about last night's match.  Until then.... Love and Blessings.... Sherry .... Aka.... Vagabond!

Featured Match Center Court.....Thursday's Schedule

Natalie's double match will be a featured evening match on center court.  Tomorrow, Thursday....she will be second on after 7 p.m.  (10 o'clock GA time)  The Tennis Channel will be broadcasting from 7-9 p.m.  If the singles match is quick then some of the dubs may be shown.  Not sure how all that works but there is the info for you.  There will be live scoring for sure, either on the website I posted in previous blog or on the WTA phone application.

The opponents will be the one seeded team of Kops-Jones and Spears, another American team.  They won their match today vs. a non seeded team in a breaker in lieu of the third set.  We watched a few games since we never saw any of the four players play dubs.  Natalie and Jackie will have a great match of doubles, should be exciting to watch.  Four great doubles players.

Today I found myself on a three mile hike mostly up hill.  Thought I would go downward at some point but it never seemed to happen.  Sure hope I can walk tomorrow, otherwise I will have to crawl to the match, for it won't be one I will miss.  Until that lil yellow ball begins to bounce on center court tomorrow....I will be applying BenGay.....and sending you Love and Blessings......Sherry!

Walk over at the Bank West......

This is gunna be short and sweet, I'm tired.  At ten minutes to one, the tourney official came over to me and asked where Natalie and Jackie were.  I let her know they were on the warm up court, she informed me they got a bye into the next round because the opponents just withdrew.

Leslie, Stephanie, Juliet and I walked over to the practice courts to inform our team of the default.  And discuss what it meant as far as ranking points and prize money.  Remember we are new to  the pro circuit and have much to learn.  Our team will not get ranking points for the "win", but they do get the money.  As Laura said to me.....cha ching!   When they win the next round they will get both the ranking points and prize money.

Tomorrow will be yet another practice day for our team.  And match watching day for me.  The number one seeded dubs team of Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears will take on Tamera Paszek and Christine McHale.   Our team will take on the winner of that match on Thursday.

Now I THINK......ESPN or the Tennis Channel starts coverage of the Bank West tourney on Thursday.  So, if not all of Nat's dubs match is televised maybe some highlights will be aired.  I will look into more of that tomorrow.

Just wanted to give a lil shout out to Carla....Juliet's friend from Sacramento.....Hey gal...thanks for enjoying my blog!  I appreciate the feedback!  Don't forget to join it folks!

Exhaustion has set in, Natalie is in bed and I am bout to be.....soooo until we find out more info bout the lil yellow bouncing ball......Love and Blessings....Sherry!

Winners

Nat and Jac win due to opponent defaulting by withdraw.  

Bank West update.....first match time

And tomorrow's schedule has finally been released.  Natalie and Jac will play not before one o'clock on court six.  There will be live scores on the WTA website or phone application.  Please refer to links in prior blog.

We spent most of today at the courts.  Natalie and Jac practiced twice.  We all watched matches, which was fun.  One can get used to the special treatment players get at this level event.  From manicures to a on site chef to cook for us.   And let's not forget to mention the covenant player goodie bag.

While Nat practiced, I was able to watch a bit of Mallory Burdette's match.  The neon colored dress looked nice on her.  Was very proud of her effort, although she came up short.  She is one of the best ball strikers the USA has, she will go far in the world of tennis.  With the tourney being at Stanford we thought for sure the crowd would be behind Mal, but it seemed the opposite (well, except for me and some others).  Guess because her opponent Schiavone has played here often, the home town crowd has a soft spot for her.  Mal did represented herself and the Cardinal Red well!  Congrats Mal!

Sure hope Mal tired out Schiavone for us, since she is one of Nat's opponents for tomorrow.  What a great player and legend.  I'm so very happy she will be on the other side of the net, what a great opponent for Nat's first WTA dubs event.  Exciting!

The eyes are heavy and need rest ....sooooo....until that lil yellow ball begins to bounce on court six of the Bank West Tourney.......Love and Blessings....Sherry!

Bank West Dubs....links too

Let me try to update you on the happenings of the last few days.  The deadline for doubles check in at the Bank West Tourney 795K was noon yesterday.  After practice, Natalie and Jackie waited to see if they would get into the draw.  Below are some of the texts between Nat and me:

N:  15   (as in minutes to go)
S:  Come on Big Ben
N:  Right

N:   7 (minutes to go)
N:  We are gonna make it in
S:  Shhhh don't jinx it
N:  I am nervous....4 min
S:  Come on
S:  3
S:  2

N:  .......Asians
N:  Trying to mess it up  (trying to switch partners at last minute to get in, bumping another team out)
S:  Make sure the deadline is kept

N:  Please don't let her find someone
N:  Done...we in
S:  Congrats
N: YESSSSSSS

Probably the longest two minutes of her life....hahahhah!  Talk about nerve racking.  Within minutes the WTA rep asked Natalie to be the player representative.  Which basically means, she draws the names/numbers to create the draw.   After which her text read:

N:  We play Schiavone!   Hahahahah legend
S:  Sweet

Once my brain came back to earth, I packed the car and headed south to Palo Alto.  About forty minutes into my trip I stopped in Red Bluff and met my cousin.  She and I haven't seen each other in 30+ years.  She was there from Colorado to meet her newest grand baby.  Although my time was very short, it was awesome to see her, Tommy and his family.  A beautiful family indeed!  Yes....pics to follow!

Today will be a practice day, for our team doesn't play.  They will play either tomorrow or Wednesday.    Their opponents are Nuria Liagosterg Vives and Francesca Schiavone.  Natalie has not faced either of these ladies in the past, so I can't judge the outcome.

The Bank West Tournament will be featured on ESPN.  Not sure how much time will be devoted to doubles, if any info is given to us I will pass it on.  You can find the live scores on the tourney site.  Below are the links to the tournament site and doubles draw:

http://www.wtatennis.com/tournaments/tournamentId/637/title/bank-of-the-west-classic

http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/posting/2013/703/MDD.pdf

Hope I don't look like to much of a tourist at this tourney, will be hard not to be awe struck.  Looking forward to Natalie's WTA debut and watching some great tennis.....until then.....Love and Blessings.....Sherry!

Our journey continues

After the fiasco of last evening surrounding the Cali tourney, we woke up and set out to continue our journey.  Jan drove Natalie to the airport for a 9:15 a.m. flight and I hit the road.  Nat's flight was delayed by about three hours, glad I wasn't there when the bear got poked with that info.

We decided that I would head south via I5 to bout the half way mark to the tourney.  Currently spending a very hot night in Redding, California.  It was 102 degrees when I arrived at 8:30 p.m.  We should know if Natalie gets into the doubles draw by one o'clock tomorrow.  If she makes the draw I will continue south to the tourney, if not I will head back to Portland.  However, if I head north it will be via the 101 or Costal Highway with a stop in the Redwood Forest.

Either way I will be stopping to see my cousin Valerie who is in Cali to meet her new grand baby.  I haven't seen her in over twenty-five years, for she lives in Colorado.  I spent many sleep overs playing the board game Sorry with her and her mom....ahhhh memories.  Just found out a few minutes ago that she and her family will be in Redding tomorrow......a small world indeed!

Last time I spoke to Natalie, there is a very good chance she and Jac will make it into the dubs draw. The tourney at Stanford is a WTA 795K tourney.  Would be an awesome experience for our team, let alone the ranking points that are available to earn.  So fingers crossed folks....maybe legs too?  Need all the help we can get....prayers wouldn't hurt.   If its meant to be....it will be!

Time for bed, hiking in the morning to help pass the time as we wait for the draw's release....until then....Love and Blessings......Sherry!

Semi final of dubs

After being up 4-1 in the first we lost the set 4-6.  Then won the second fairly easily.  The breaker ....well that was a different story ... Losing it 5-10.  Natalie was a volleying fool today.... Was so fun to watch her work.  It never gets old watching her on a tennis court.... I'm very proud of her and her tennis.

Spent the rest of our day making arrangements for getting Natalie to Stanford.  The plan as of this moment... Nat is flying out at 9 a.m.  I will start to drive to  Cali at 7a.m., stopping half way. Nat will check into the WTA for dubs, if she gets in, I will complete the drive on Sunday, if not I will return to Portland.  

Until this evening we thought she and Jac had a fair chance of getting into the Cali tourney.  Now we have doubts after hearing what the tourney director decided to do with the qualifier singles draw.  So we have been told, that there were two open spots which the director would not allow anyone to sign in ....therefore not filling the spots.  Unbelievable!  He is limiting the opportunity for the lesser ranked players. We only have appox. 8 WTA tourneys in the USA and the director is denying players entry into a draw.  He should be ashamed!  Many players went to the tourney to check in on site...spending money to do so and then he denies them the opportunity!  Yet another reason American players are struggling to make it on tour.... His decision IS NOT in the best interest of the players.  So who knows what he will do with the dubs draw.  

Now remember we weren't involved therefore my info can be skewed by the ole gossip of the tour.  But the fact is....there are two more byes  in the draw then normal.... Soooooo

Please say a little prayer for Natalie that she travels safely and gets into this Cali tourney.  And a prayer for the director that he finds the strength to do what is best for the PLAYERS!

Many thanks for the messages from those of you watching Nat via the live feeds.  We appreciate your support!

Good night.... Love and Blessings.... Sherry!

Semi Finals here we come.....with live video feed

Yesterday's doubles started a lil slow for our team.  We went down 3-0 in the first set, before deciding it was time to do our job.  Picking up our game got us the first set.  Natalie's ups at the net (thanks to bball) won us several points, almost stunning the two shorter Japanese players.  Nat definetly owned the net yesterday with her awesome volleying.  We were neck and neck with the opponents for the beginning of the second set before going up and onto winning it and the match.  Nat and Jac are now semi final bound.

The semis will be on the live video feed today, please locate the link in my previous blog post.  Should be on court around 3ish Portland time, which is 6ish Georgia time.  Our team will follow the other semi final dubs match on center court.  Our opponents are fellow Americans and friends Weinhold/Murand.  This double match should be fun for the audience to watch for all the ladies play dubs well.  I think our team has played them before, but really I don't remember.....sorry!  So many matches under our belt I have to look that info up these days and really don't have the time.

Our lucky charm ....aka our host mom.....aka Jan will be with us to see the match.  She is such a delight and wonderful hostess.  It has really been fun getting to know her and her fine city.  Being new to the tennis world, Jan has embraced it and us with open arms and heart.  We are very appreciative of her and her support.

Dubs finals will be tomorrow, hopefully our team will be in it.  Then we are off to Cali.  Natalie will fly and I will drive.  I'm looking forward to the Redwoods and see the Northwest via my lens.  Natalie and Jackie are going to sign into the Stanford 795K tourney, with hopes of getting into the doubles draw.  They have to be signed in by noon on Sunday.  Fingers crossed that they get to this WTA tourney!

Well, I need to check into flights, ship Nat's new broken tennis bag, get her lunch and prepare to watch the lil yellow bouncing ball.....gotta go.....Love and Blessings.....Sherry!

What happened to our relaxing day???

What was supposed to be a one match day and relaxing turned into a 13 hour day.  Natalie played Min on center court, from the messages I've received many of you were watching the live video feed.  Thank you!  As expected the ladies had a good match, Natalie started the first set on top 3-1.  Grace stepping up her game and Nat diverting from hers led to losing the first set 3-6.  Although the second set score of 1-6 does not reflect the tennis we witnessed.  Natalie had a solid match that could have been better, but overall we were happy.

Following the match Natalie spent an hour with the trainer, stretching, massaging, etc.  After which we were going to have a very late lunch and find something relaxing to do or not do.  Wrong!  First, a call about housing for next week...had to take care of that.  Then a call from a player who already flew out of Portland but left her phone at her hotel.....had to fetch that.  Then a call or maybe text about being placed on the oooo so convanant Nike guest list to the employee store.  Back to the courts to cheer on Naz through her third set and third or fourth hour on the court.

Then.....yes...there is more......to pick up our friend and make our way to the Nike store.  After mad dashing around the store due to the closing time being near.....our new treasures included 40.....yes 40 pairs of socks.  There was no way I was passing up those prices for the one thing she uses 6 pairs of per day.

After our shopping we headed back to the courts so that Natalie and her former college team mate could practice a little.  Only to be followed by picking up a carry out order for Whit and taking her home.  Praise the Lord.....9 p.m. and we were finally finding our relaxing thing to do.  Go home and go to bed!

Back at the courts already for practice.  Then lunch followed by Natalie's dubs match.  She and Jac will be taking on Juremi Nara (JPN) and Erikda Sema (JPN), who are tourney ranked 564.  Not knowing anything about the opponents has me muffled.  Should be solid and fun dubs.  This match will be on court 10, and will not be on live video feed.  However, it will be on the live scores feed.

Time to log off and think about lunch for our gal....until I spy the lil yellow ball.....Love and Blessings....Sherry!

Beaverton, Portland and live video feed link

Greetings from the gloomy Beaverton, Portland.  First day in nearly two weeks that we haven't had sunshine, unlike Georgia this summer.  Must say haven't missed the summer rains of back home, was getting old.

The Taulatin Hills Park and Rec Department are doing a great job with this tournament.  We know it's much work and stress to produce a good product your first time out, but they having been doing it in fine fashion.  Besides Natalie's wins yesterday, another highlight for the players was an  awesome goodie bag.  The little things mean soooooo much to these traveling vagabonds of the tennis world.  Congrats to the staff for doing a great job with the little things!

Nat started out a lil tentative on the singles court yesterday, then ceased the moment.  Defeating Harkins in three.....6-3, 3-6, 6-4.  Both players played well and had their moments of errors.  However, Natalie was able to dig deep inside and push forward to the win.  Love to see her progression, exciting indeed. Many thanks to Jason her coach at home and, Lee who is here on the road with the summer team.

Playing a match on the stadium court always brings a sense of excitement for both player and audience.  Nat and Jac played their first round of main draw dubs on it yesterday.   Not having the success they are accustom to on the court together drove them to the practice courts with Lee.  Which was very evident during yesterday's match.  Our team is seeded second here and was playing a non ranked team, which gave them a chance to relax into tactics practiced.  Winning the match 6-1, 6-0 (I think, still can't keep/remember scores) sends them into the quarters on Thursdays.

Today, Natalie will play singles second on vs. Grace Min (USA).  They haven't played each other since that horrible week of Beth Choate-Wortman's (Nat's coach) death.  So Nat was like 16 and Grace maybe 13-14.....so you can't really judge anything about today on that match....although Nat did win.  They used to practice together with Brian, so will be a great match between friends.  Always great to see Grace and her mom when she's around.

Natalie's match will be live on the feed.  Here is the link to the live video stream on the USTA site:

http://www.usta.com/Pro-Tennis/Pro-Circuit/pro_circuit_live_women/

Soon the lil yellow ball will bounce....enjoy the live feed....until then.....Love and Blessings....Sherry!

Today's match update

Ok, so I have wireless today, well for at least a lil while.  Sorry for the delay in updates, but I don't have wireless at home.  A quick review.....Natalie barely missed getting into the main draw here at the 50K Oregon Challenger.  She had a bye in the first round, won her second round and played her third round a short time ago.  Beating McCall Hawkins in the third (6-3, 3-6, 6-4) has earned Natalie a spot in the main draw.  We will learn her opponent's name later today, I think Nat will have day off from singles tomorrow.

Later this afternoon, Nat and Jac will take on the dubs team of Sylvia Schenck (USA) and Desha Ivanova (USA).  Our team is the second seeded team in the dubs draw.

Time for lunch for the lil yellow ball will begin to bounce on the dubs court shortly....Love and Blessings....Sherry

No, we haven't fallen off the face of the earth.

No, we haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  After doing a little hiking in Yakima and practice, we headed for Portland on Friday.  A very pretty drive, with an ever changing landscape.  From the desert mountains of Yakima to the lush pine tree lined mountains of Portland....an awesome drive indeed.  After reading a road sign, we decided to leave the main highway and take "old route 30".  So, glad we did for we stumbled across  the Multnomah Falls.  Did a little hiking and picture taking, God's country is so beautiful.

On Saturday, Nat headed to the courts for practice and then we headed to meet our hostess, Jan.  Our sweet house mom Jan is the neighbor of the cousin of a lady Natalie met at a Lady Vols softball game over a year ago.  hahahahahah  Yes, too funny indeed how networking helps us.  We will meet Annie today (Nat's contact from softball game) to catch up, then go to the neighbors (Annie's cousins) for a BBQ later this afternoon.  How fun....can't wait!  What a wonderful group of people!

Natalie just missed getting into the main draw by a few spots.  She is the 4th seed for the qualifier and has a bye for the first round.  Nat will need to win two rounds to feed into the main draw.  This tourney went from being top heavy with well ranked players to having seven byes in the qualifying draw.  Crazy indeed!

Today will be a practice day.  Nat will play the winner of the current on court match of Sylvia Schenck (USA) and Vivian Tsui (CAN).  Natalie will play singles tomorrow and dub will begin either Tuesday or Wednesday.  She and Jackie will partner up again.

Yesterday afternoon we had a chance to walk around the Nike Campus (headquarters).  What an amazing place.  Beside the unbelievable size of the place is the Nike commitment to amazing sporting venues.  The soccer fields, aquatic center, gym, etc. were Nike perfection.  We are looking forward to spending more time in Nike world with Nat's former team mate.

Time to end this entry and get to the courts.  Until tomorrow when the lil yellow ball will bounce on a match court......Love and Blessings.....Sherry!

Cherries, cherries and more cherries

Cherries, cherries and more cherries.....I love being in Yakima during cherry picking time!  Just like our Georgia peaches, Washington cherries are the best right off the tree.  So today, following our hike, we will pick cherries.  But prior to that, I need to update you on the tourney happenings...soooo here we go!

After waiting for many extended singles matches to complete, court one was finally ours.  Stepping on the court in the late afternoon "our team" went into battle.  The first set seemed riddled with errors on both sides of the net and the score reflected such.  At four all, Natalie and Jackie's score halted and the opponent's did not.  Losing the first set 4-6, seem to light the fire for our gals and they picked it up in the second.  Winning the second set 6-3 sent us into a breaker in lieu of a third set.  We went down in the breaker before reeling off several winners to go up 9-6.  With one more point needed, many thought it was over, not our opponents however.....Coin/Wong were not giving up and we couldn't hit a winner.  The score went back and forth until we lost the breaker 11-13.   Unfortunate indeed!

That loss was a very hard pill for Natalie to swallow.  Like any competitor, she hates to lose.  But to only need one point and to have so many chances.....a hard pill indeed!  We will spend some time re-evaluating, learning and planning for the future.

Today, Natalie will rest....well that is if you don't count the hike I have planned for her, Sunshine and myself.  Then tomorrow we will head to Portland and she will ready herself for the "next one".  Until then.....Love and Blessings....Sherry!

A mere 103 degrees...

Was a mere 103 degrees today, but can't complain....at least the sun is shining.  Something that seems to be missing in Georgia these days......sunshine!  Natalie practiced today and spent several hours waiting to see the trainer.  Sherry (trainer) was soooo busy today, but she is very good at what she does, so Nat didn't mind waiting.

Tomorrow, the lil yellow will bounce.  Natalie and Jackie are the 4th seeds, with a tourney ranking of 364.  They will play Coin (FRA) and Wong (USA), tourney ranked 425.  The match will be fourth on after 9 a.m.  There will be live scoring, follow the link in the previous blog.

Time to tuck it in.....Love and Blessing....Sherry!

No broken bones...

No broken bones, a lil sprain.  Thank goodness!

Results of yesterday's match....

Results of yesterday's match.....

.......a visit to the orthopedist 

Natalie lost the first set 1-6 to Boserup, not playing very well at all and.  Then she came out the second set determined to make a stance.  And that she did winning it 6-3.  The third set was going well, and Natalie had the momentum at 3 all.  When during a point she fell and stayed down for a few minutes.   Looking at her foot, knee while holding her hand/wrist, left us wondering how she was.  Getting up and over to her chair while asking the chair umpire for the trainer, gave us concrete info that it wasn't good news.  Anyone that knows Natalie knows that she has a very high tolerance for pain, so her asking for a trainer is a big deal.  But in Natalie fashion and with a complete check by the trainer.... she went back to work.  It was easy to see that the wrist was the issue, but she continued on.  Going up and serving for the match at 5-4.  It was not meant to be, she went onto to lose in a third set breaker 6-7 (2). Needless to say, she was not a happy camper....very unfortunate fall and end to a match full of good tennis on both sides of the net.  But God had different plans!

This morning we headed over to the doctor.  A former Giants football player, Dr. Doornink was more gracious to squeeze us into his schedule.  Although Doc doesn't think there are any breaks, an x-ray has been taken.  We are currently waiting the results.  Side note:  Doc ended our visit by telling us who  he expected to be in the exam room when he entered.....tennis player....Natalie as first name.....Pluskota as last name.....added up to......big Russian tennis player in his mind.  After allowing us to laugh along with him at himself we were on our way to x-ray.  

I have to brag a moment about Dr. Doornink.  He is from a small town near Yakima, Washington.  While he was on the Giants, he continued his education.  After several seasons, he was traded to Seattle.  While on the team, he went back to U of W (I think)  and finished his education and became a orthopedist.  What a great story, many of our young men could learn from it.

Time to end this post and see if we can track down the x-ray results.  I will update you ASAP with the results....until then.....Love and Blessings....Sherry!

All of us Georgia Peaches......

All of us Georgia Peaches made it safe and sound to Yakima, Washington.  Traveling is always an adventure.  At the Atlanta airport the TSA xray guru informed me that she had to search my carry on.  My reply "it's the peaches isn't it".  "Step this way ma'am".  Which of course I do, and she inspects.  Opens the box in my carryon to reveal sweet and juicy Georgia peaches.  She giggles, picks one up smells it, "hhhmmmm smells good".  My reply, "I knew you checking my peaches".  She replaced the peach and I was on my way.  Not sure why she had to check the peaches, maybe thought they were gernades???  But I was on my way.

After a bumpy flight, and car rental I found myself settled at my hotel.  Opening my "checked in" suitcase, I discovered it had been searched as well.  I brought a case of peach salsa with me, which was packaged very careful.  It had been opened for inspection and retaped closed with "inspection" tape.  I'm very curious as to why these two items brought so much attention.  But, I am certainly glad that folks are doing their jobs to keep us safe butttttttt really it was only peaches and salsa!

And yes.....I brought a case of salsa.  Over the last few months, we have shared our salsa with many.  And they have asked for some.  Of course they can't come to our stands to get it, so I brought it.  Thank goodness it make it here safe and sound, unlike the rippened peaches.

After all the rain we have had in Georgia, was nice to see the sun in Seattle.  Yes, sun in Seattle, the weather patterns are crazy.  We had a beautiful drive from Seattle to Yakima, catching up on all the stories and happenings.  Stopped for cherries along the roadside, Natalie practiced, dinner then our hotel beds.

Today, Natalie will begin the first round of the qualifying draw.  She will play Boserup, for their first meeting on the court.  She will play 5th on after 10....which is code for 5ish.  And of course that would be 8ish Georgia time.

The sign up for doubles will continue until noon tomorrow as usual.  And then the draw will be released in the afternoon.  After which we will know if Natalie and Jackie will begin dubs play on Tuesday or Wednesday.

It's 5:40 a.m. currently and I've been up since 4....time change adjustments needed.  But I'm going to log off so the pecking on the keyboard doesn't wake up the room mates.  For they both have matches today and need the rest.  So......I will report the happenings of the lil yellow ball once it has gone silent for the day....until then Love and Blessings......Sherry!

Gold River Semi Finals.....here we come!

It has been nothing like the weather here in Georgia, rainy.  In fact, its been over 100 degrees or right around it every day at the Gold River tourney.  Which of course, is causing issues for many....cramping, overheating, dehydration.  None of which is an issue for Natalie (she writes knocking on wood)

Natalie took to the doubles court around 7:00, Cali time.  Our team was up 5-3, and 0-40 before losing the game to make it 5-4.  Following that game, we lost our serve and soon it was 5 all.  As if watching "live scores" isn't bad enough, our team decided to let it get even more interesting by going down 5-6.  However we held and it was 6 all.  

The breaker begins with us down 0-2.  Then my "live feed" goes down......rut ro...."beep"!    Thank goodness we were back on line and our gals were up 3-2.  Up 4-2, then 4-3, then 4 all.  Then assuming we decided to end the breaker, went up 5-4 and never looked back and serve it out.  

Onto the second set, we come out serving strong and go up 1-0.  Get a quick break and up 2-0.  Unfortunately, we got broke back and it was 2-1.  We kept the pressure on and never looked back, winning the second 6-1....and the match.

Natalie was able to enjoy a bbq and fireworks.  Something we here in Georgia didn't get to do, because of weather all has been rescheduled.

Today, Nat and Jac will play the Semi Finals match on center court.  They are second on after four o'clock (Cali time),  which of course is code for 6ish.  The team of Brody (GBR) and Sanders (AUS) are the opponents.  Opponents tourney ranking is 674.  

There will be live feed scoring, following link below,  it is the Sacramento tourney.

http://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/tournaments/women's-calendar.aspx

Time for me to scoot, peaches to sell, bags to pack for its my turn to head west.  Meeting Natalie in Seattle for the Yakima tourney.  She has made it into the qualifier draw for both the Yakima and Portland 50K tourneys.  See you on the flip side of our wonder country...until then.....Love and Blessings.....Sherry!

Thoughts and Prayers.....Cali update

Our thoughts and prayers are going out to the families and friends of the firefighters who so selflessly gave their lives to protect others.  May God's hand continue to guide through this very difficult time!


Our gal headed west, and I've been slacking on the blog updates.  Sorry, just not been feeling well!  Natalie played Lisjak (CRO), formally 95 in the world.  Who I'm assuming is coming back from injury, because she used her current "protected ranking" to get into the main draw of this tourney.  Not being there I have to rely on Nat's account of what took place.  Which isn't always accurate, amazing how different a player can see their match then the reality of what actually took place.  Trusting this account, Nat said she was out played by a good player.  Losing to Lisjak 1-6, 3-6.

Yesterday, Natalie and Jackie started their quest for the doubles title.  Playing Hibi/Bhargava in the round of sixteen.  I guess one of the many highlights of the match was Natalie hitting a behind the back shot to Bhargava, who shanked the ball back allowing the point to continue.  Eventually, our team lost the point.  But a highlight, never the less.  Our team went onto win the match 6-2, 6-4.

Today, Natalie had the day off from tournament play so it was a practice day.  She and Jac will continue their quest tomorrow.  Playing the winner of Austin/Robinson and Frilling/Brengle.  To be determined today.

Between dodging the drops at our peach stands, PT and packing my plate is full.  But I am looking forward to seeing Natalie in Seattle on Saturday.  But until then the lil yellow ball continues to bounce in Cali in the quest of a double title.....so until then......Love and Blessings.....Sherry!

Link to LIVE scoring for today and this week

And so it begins, the bouncing of the lil yellow ball that is!  Natalie will play her first round in the main draw today around three o'clock eastern time.  The opponent is Ivana Lesjak (CRO), who is using a protected ranking to enter this tourney.  (a protected ranking is......the ranking a player had prior to an injury)

Tomorrow, Natalie and Jackie will begin their quest for the doubles title.  They are tourney ranked 364, making them the 2 seeds.  They will face two friends of Natalie, Bhargave/Hibi.  Who are tourney ranked 835.  Should be a solid and entertaining dubs match.

There will be live scoring of Natalie's matches, here is the link:

http://scores.itftennis.com/?alias=itf&layoutid=72&versionid=1&language=en&tID=W-C50-USA-05A-2013&