Since winning sectionals, the ladies have been practicing diligently 2-3 times a week focusing on serve and volley practice, doubles movement, lobs and passing shots and most importantly - consistency. Jay has been instrumental in providing coaching and drills that really honed their abilities. The practice and hard work paid off in the first match against Florida on Friday. Florida was beaten soundly 3 and 0 showing what a little (ok - a lot) of practice and determination can do. Thuy and Cindy were on fire winning 7-5 / 6-2 - a tough 1st set but easy win in the 2nd. Yuko and Diana had a tough 1st set losing 6-7 but won the 2nd and the tie breaker 6-2 / 10-4. Han played against a tough opponent who ran everything down yet still managed to win 6-2 / 6-4. After a rest of a few hours and lunch, the match against Middle States heated up late afternoon. With the temperature approaching 90 degrees, it became really hot for the Laney women - the ladies however kept their cool. Han “smoked” her opponent winning 6-1 / 6-1. Yuko and Diana made short work of theirs winning 6-1 / 6-3 and Thuy and Cindi won the 1st set in a tough tie breaker then easily won the 2nd set 6-2. At the end of the day, the Laney ladies walked away with a 3 and 0 sweep for a 2nd time - a tough but exciting day for all as the ladies enjoyed their 1st day wins!!! With the team in 1st place in their Flight by end of day, it was Saturday's matches that would determine who would get to move on to the semi-finals on Sunday. They needed to win at least 1 of 2 team matches and winning both would guarantee a spot in the semis.

On Saturday, New England proved a tough opponent with Han losing a set for the 1st time against her opponent and having to fight it out in a nail biting super tie breaker - score 6-2 / 2-6 / 1-0. Yuko and Diana also toughed it out winning the 1st set closely 6-4 and then dropping the 2nd set 5-7. They would have to win in a super tie breaker which they did - woohoo! Thuy and Cindi had an easier time of it playing hard in the 1st set and winning 6-4 / 6-2. The 2.5 ladies proved too much for New England winning 3 and 0 yet again. The key for them was winning the super tie breakers proving the mental toughness of each of the Laney women. Remember this as you practice your own tie breakers at Laney this weekend!

After only an hour of rest, the ladies were at it again playing against Pacific Northwest. Although they only needed to win 1 match to make it to the semis, they won handily all 3 matches in 2 sets - 6-3 / 7-5 for Han; 7-5 / 6-1 for Yuko & Diana; and 6-4 / 7-5 for Thuy and Cindi. Thuy could be heard saying “No 3rd set - No 3rd set - Come on - Let's Go!!.” Impressively, the ladies swept their 4th match making them 4 and 0 for the weekend - undefeated in every match and in the #1 spot in their Flight guaranteeing them a spot in the semi-finals on Sunday - an incredible day for Laney, Connie, and the team!!

Some R&R was definitely needed Saturday afternoon with ½ the team hanging out at the pool and spa back at the Holiday Inn while a small group of ladies headed to Palm Springs to check out some shopping opportunities 20 miles away. Jay and Diana decided to head back to the tennis garden for some pro basketball between the Phoenix Suns and the Warriors and Connie and Henry needed some rest after such an exciting 2 days of tennis.

Missouri Valley beat Texas to go into the finals match with Caribbean so it came down to a match between the Texas team and Laney for the privilege of placing 3rd place. Unbelievably, the Texas doubles teams were even tougher than the Caribbean team hitting 3.5 level shots and serves consistently winning both doubles matches in two sets. Han was impressive in keeping her cool, yet again, and won 6-0 / 6-1 giving her an undefeated record of 6 and 0 for the weekend - phenomenal strength and courage for her 1st Nationals! Unfortunately, it wasn't enough with Texas winning 2-1 and placing 3rd for the championship. The Laney women, although emotionally disappointed with the final day's results, were very happy to take 4th overall in their 1st ever Nationals competition at Indian Wells. For the weekend, the match score stood at 14 and 4 overall. Wow!!!!

All in all, a phenomenal weekend of tennis for both the women's and men's 2.5 teams. A heartfelt thanks goes to Connie and Jay with special thanks to Ann Fontaine, Laurent Harrison, Darren Guillome, and Huey Mach in supporting the ladies efforts every step of the way!! Special thanks as well to Henry who captained, coached and provided support to the mens 2.5 team and video taped both the ladies and men's matches all weekend long!