A little laxed....

Alright a little laxed with the update...sorry....a we bit road beat yesterday. During Natalie's singles match the score went up and down, with her eventually losing the first set. Early in the second, she called a trainer to the court. During the striking of a ball, she felt pain in her arm, which didn't go away. The second set slipped away and it was over for the singles tourney.

Some ice, "stem" treatment and advil and she was back out on the court for doubles. Playing the wild card team of Friling and Gullickson. Good dubs indeed. Altho Natalie and Jackie won the match, these four ladies are testomony as to why young players should play both singles and dubs at every junior tournament that has both draws.

Once I had a couple of college coaches try to convince me that they can teach anyone to play doubles when they get to college. I will NEVER believe that.....I mean the proof is in the pudding.....how many National Dubs Champions have these two coached to the title....NONE! National Dubs Champions are born on the junior tournament circuit. Where they spend years practicing their craft and tweeking it. So PARENTS....let your players play dubs in juniors....EVEN IF THEY ARE OUT OF THE SINGLES TOURNEY.

Ok, I'm off my soap box.....ahahahaah!

Natalie is off today, but we are already at the courts for a morning warm up. Then for treatment on that arm, which feels way better and needs the rest of this day off. Then to find something to celebrate...."my new decade"! Natalie will return to the court tomorrow for doubles, won't know the opponents later today.

Rain, rain go away....

We spent a few hours on rain delay, and then good Lord saw fit to part the clouds for us. Natalie took full control of the first set winning it 6-0. The opponent was young and very sweet and will mature into a top player. Going up in the second 4-1....Nat "checked out", and found herself at 5-3. Taking the helm and driving the winners to win the match. Was good the match was about an hour in length since yesterday was a long day.

Tomorrow she will either play the 10th seed...Tedakisuma (510) or Pandzec(774). To be determined later today.

Doubles begins tomorrow but Natalie and Jackie won't know till later if they play tomorrow or Wednesday. The will be playing Frilling and Gullickson. Two players Natalie has faced in college. Notre Dame and Georgia...respectfully. Not to brag....well ok maybe a little and of course at the risk of the jinx....Natalie was very successful vs. them! WINK...WINK!

I think day one is finally over....

We were pretty excited to arrive at the tennis center to and find Natalie's court on the second match. The one player having won the first set and up 3-0....we wouldn't have to wait long for the court. Well I guess we brought Sanaz some luck with our arrival, cuz she battled back to win the second and force the third. Ooooo then we waited, going on bout quarter to one.
What should have been the indicator as to what was to come.

Again, Natalie would play #5 seed, Soumalainen (FIN), ranked 489th in the world. The first set went back and forth with Nat down for most of it. Battling to force a breaker for the set which she told control of at 3 all. Reeling off the next 4 points to win the set.

The second set was with unforced errors causing Natalie to lose it. However, she got her act together and took full control of the third set. Winning the match 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-2.

Must say Natalie play of the best tennis thus far physically and mentally. She is progressing and that is exciting indeed.

After that 3 1/2 hour match, we were able to visit with Brad and Kristen and have a late lunch. They lived in Newnan a few years ago, and now call Charlotte home. They enjoyed watching Natalie and we enjoyed their company.

After that quick meal and visit we mad out way back to the courts for the kids clinic. For an hour and half, Natalie and 14 other pro players ran a clinic. Then enjoyed pizza and an autograph session. I think Natalie had more fun then some of the kids.

Finally, it was 8 pm and we could head for the bed. Well, not quiet yet, ice bath, enjoy a yummy dinner Cassandra had waiting for us.....ahhhh bed. The day was FINALLY OVER!

And now it's today and we are already back to the courts. Nat normally loves a 9 o'clock or first match on...but I'm thinking she ain't loving it right now. On the court warming up to play Molner (CAN), ranked 1041.

So, time to finish me coffee so I might get my eyes to open the rest of the way. In hopes of watching that bouncing yellow ball.

Rock Hill...day 1

Hello from overcast Rock Hill, SC. We are being hosted by a wonderful couple Cassandra and Lance. So nice to have personal contact on the lonely road of tennis.

Natalie will be going on in a few moments. She will play Soumalainen (FIN), who is the 7th seed in the qualifying draw. She is ranked 489th in the world.

Nat is feeling confident this morning. Definitely, strolling around with head high and shoulders back.

Well, time to you know....go watch that bouncing yellow ball.....

Rock Hill Info

We made it.... The tournament is being hosted at the Rock Hill Tennis Center @ 897 Maplewood Lane, Rock Hill, SC (803) 326-3842. Natalie will play tomorrow, we won't get time until they post draws after 8 pm tonight. She will be playing doubles with Cako, the gal she played with in Vancouver.

The End of Troy for us....

Before heading to tailgate the Troy vs. Western Kentucky game...let me update you on the tennis front. Natalie began the match a little off, you could tell she was on singles match number 6. Up in several games she just made toooo many unforced errors. Feet a Lil slower today.

Although she lost today to Scholl, much has improved in her ability to play multiple days in the row. Let alone many of the things on the practice court with Jason are working. Just bout over the hump soooo just need to keep on keepin on! More good things and tennis ahead.

Natalie and Lena had their work cut out for them on the dubs court. The four ladies play some solid tennis. But our inability to win games we were in control of.... Cost us the win. Natalie and Lena lost 1-4.

Well....that's the end of Troy for us....Natalie had a great run here that is for sure. Almost kick off time....so tailgating we will gooooooooo!

Alabama Happenings

Well, after a boring night in the hotel room....we will be "rolling" out in just a few minutes to the courts.  Natalie will be first court on at 10 o'clock.  She will be playing singles first vs. fellow American Scholl (4 seed) currently ranked 175th.  Then we will see Natalie in doubles action a short time later.  Her and Lena will be facing the 4th seeded team made up of Americans Scholl and HSU.  Natalie and Lena are ranked 598 in dubs for this tourney and their opponents are ranked 522.

A short lesson on doubles rankings at tournaments.  The officials take each players individual doubles ranking and add it to their partner's ranking, making that total their ranking for the tournament.  So both of the teams listed above are made up of players with very good individual doubles rankings.

Ok, that was the lesson for the day......hahahaha!

May our world find PEACE today!  And this election get over with already.....soooo annoying!

Hugs and Blessings!