Going to Sectionals - First time

[cknobman]

This weekend my tri level team competed in our city tournament and took first place, so we will be going to sectionals!!!

For those who arent familiar with what the "Tri-Level" is: Format 3 different USTA skill levels all compete on the same team. Our tri level consisted of 3.5,4.0,4.5. Matches are all doubles and progress based on line so line 3 is 3.5 players line 2 is 4.0 and line 1 is 4.5.

It was a round robin tournament and we ended up going undefeated(we did drop a couple of lines though).

Now sectionals are approaching the weekend of Feb 22 and I am pumped! Ive never been to sectionals before and am looking forward to the experience. My teammates are telling me usually in sectionals(and especially nationals) that the competition is grueling and some teams are out for blood. Some even tell me that everyone really plays .5 better than they are rated.

If this is so then Im in for a real battle. I just got bumped to 3.5 and if I go play against 3.5's that play like 4.0's I will have a long day(or maybe super short) day at the office.

 

[tfm1973]

the idea of the tri-level league sounds like a lot of fun. i don't think we have that in our area but i hope they do soon. i'd love to play with some friends from a variety of levels.

i've been to sectionals a few times through the years and in my experience just about all the teams are composed of players who are on the upper end of their respective levels. so you don't have weak 3.5, or weak 4.0, or weak 4.5 players. you wind up playing the upper limits of each level with a sandbagger or two sprinkled in.

having said that, i found that counterpunchers/pushers still dominate up to 4.0 in singles (they don't stand a chance in 4.5 play) and in doubles the ones who have been playing for a very long time together dominate - regardless of skill level.

 

[fe6250]

Sectionals will be difficult - but you made it there! Have fun with it and enjoy the ride.

 

[CrocodileRock]

Congrats and good luck cknobman. I think if you win sectionals, you qualify for nationals in California and you get some tickets to the Pacific Life Open. That would be really cool.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Good luck

Whether you have a long or short day at the office, enjoy it and best of luck.

 

[cknobman]

Thanks for the compliments and encouragement!!

 

[freelancer]

I know a bunch of the guys that are on the Fort Worth team (I see that you're in Texas as well) that just won Tri-level and most of them got bumped up at the end of the year, but got their appeal to stay at whatever level it is that they're playing at.

With that being said, everyone has a weakness. Just find it early and expose it.

Just read your name, lol. I think I know who you are! I know someone who calls you Nibblit... if I've got the right person that is.

 

[cknobman]

I know a bunch of the guys that are on the Fort Worth team (I see that you're in Texas as well) that just won Tri-level and most of them got bumped up at the end of the year, but got their appeal to stay at whatever level it is that they're playing at.

With that being said, everyone has a weakness. Just find it early and expose it.

Just read your name, lol. I think I know who you are! I know someone who calls you Nibblit... if I've got the right person that is.

lol, got me. Yes I know several players on my tri level that appealed their bump rating and were moved back down but on the same token I know several who had their appeal denied too.

 

[Geezer Guy]

I've heard of tri-level - it sounds fun.

Just curious, how many people of each level are on your team?

Also, if you're short players on a "higher" court (ie 4.5), can a "lower" player play that court (ie 4.0)? (Obviously, a higher player could sub "down".)

 

[cknobman]

I've heard of tri-level - it sounds fun.

Just curious, how many people of each level are on your team?

Also, if you're short players on a "higher" court (ie 4.5), can a "lower" player play that court (ie 4.0)? (Obviously, a higher player could sub "down".)

On my team we have 3 people for each level allowing just enough for a sub if someone is tired/hurt but making sure we dont have a bunch of people sitting around not getting to play.

As the rules go for tri level a player may play up .5 level (3.5 could play 4.0) but no more. No players are allowed to play down a level so for example if we were short a 3.5 we would forefiet the line.

 

[freelancer]

lol, got me. Yes I know several players on my tri level that appealed their bump rating and were moved back down but on the same token I know several who had their appeal denied too.

Haha. I'm not at all trying to attack y'all. Actually it's the opposite. Y'all better go down there and kick butt! I think you've got a pretty good shot at it too. And if you win sectionals you'll be going to Indian Wells the same week as the Pacific Life Open. That's when it'll **** me off that I didn't play on your team, lol. And you're not the only one on the team that has never been to sectionals before.

 

[cknobman]

Haha. I'm not at all trying to attack y'all. Actually it's the opposite. Y'all better go down there and kick butt! I think you've got a pretty good shot at it too. And if you win sectionals you'll be going to Indian Wells the same week as the Pacific Life Open. That's when it'll **** me off that I didn't play on your team, lol. And you're not the only one on the team that has never been to sectionals before.

Speaking of the Pacific Life Open our captain was informed (and I think its on the city league website) that all winners of the Houston sectional tri level tournament not only get to go to nationals we get tickets to the Pacific Life open as well!!

 

[Topaz]

Freelancer...best avatar EVER!

 

[freelancer]

Speaking of the Pacific Life Open our captain was informed (and I think its on the city league website) that all winners of the Houston sectional tri level tournament not only get to go to nationals we get tickets to the Pacific Life open as well!!

Yeah, I heard that they all got to last year! Lucky *******s. Y'all better win Houston. Then maybe I'll get a ticket and be your "cheering section." Hopefully someone will feel sorry for me and give me tickets to the Pac Life.

 

[freelancer]

Freelancer...best avatar EVER!

LoL. Thanks! And right now it's SOOO true. I got like 3 hours last night after watching Davenport and Sharapova.

 

[fe6250]

So CK - did you play yet? If so - how did you guys end up doing?

 

[dgrave2]

Now sectionals are approaching the weekend of Feb 22

it's not time yet!

 

[fe6250]

Doh - I missed it!