the winning team
We won the final of our 2025 MLP at 9:5 over the 2nd place team Linda’s Dinkers Anonymous. All seven teams (4As, 3Bs) play at the same time 6:30. Bracket A is a tie at 4:4 and Bracket B won 5:1.
The third place is Hell’s Kitchen, 4th is Gherkins 2.0 (Sally & John A and their lineup; I played my first playoff with John in 2023), and the last is Dinkers & Drivers who failed to make the playoff.
A little pat on the shoulder: we B bracket won all our matches: 4 regular weeks and two playoffs. It’s not an easy task but we managed.
Today, my partner and I won both games for the B bracket:
- w/ Inez def Diane and Donna 25:10
- w/ Inez def Diane and Donna 25:19
Since it’s rally scoring and I’m on the right hand side, so I served out both matches. The first match was a forced error and the second match I ended it with an overhead.
Kim‘s birthday
The second match when we were at 24, I missed four points, including a serve: what was going on with me???
One good thing about this tourney is I learned a lot, from my partners and from spectators, who are just more critical, which is good.
Mixing it up: as I was going to warm up in the pool, I saw my ex partner and mistaken her as my current. She said, “Irene, we’re not playing together.”
Me, “Yes we’re.”
She, “No, we’re not.” then showing me the lineup, did then I realize she isn’t Inez. Irene, get a grip, will you?
I, “oh well, all the white girls are look alike.” … to cover my embarrassment.
A few players picked on my serve, often. So I practiced it on the tennis court before the match.
Was I nuts? Yes I was … both captains Linda and Ed told me “just forget about it” and go to play as I normally do. “There’s a player who goes into kitchen all the time and no one said anything …” But I’d rather to change my serve because I want to win fair and square. AND I did, which is more satisfying.
Both opponents are very nice. I called their ball good when I wasn’t sure, early on, which is what I always do: 99% out is still 100% IN. It was probably out because my partner asked about it. Then it was Donna who gave us a close baseline call. At the second game, Diane called an out ball good. I’m generous on line calls but I won’t contradict a call during a competition – the cardinal rule.
My partner has experience and is awesome. During many long rallies – that is what Irene does who knows not much, Inez would come in and put it away. The practiced we’ve yesterday helps.
If there is one thing that I take away from this tourney is how much I learnt from everyone, my teammates, my partners and spectators: thank you all. Some are more critical than others but I benefit from it nevertheless.
In the second match, I returned the ball without bouncing – feeling utterly dumb and inadequate. My partner said that she does that too: a great partner who’s supporting you however they can. Kim is forever complimentary, which gives me confidence.
All in all, thanks to the organizers, my captain, teammates and the spectators: it was a great run.
- my two matches
- my serves
- Sally & John A
- my overhead shot seals the 2nd match win
- the tourney day
瑜伽
