HOLIDAY TENNIS
VegasTennis.com
LORD OF THE RINGS
Winter Match Play Challenge
TEAM LEW DELEON
VS
TEAM FRIDERIC PRANDECKI
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Every day till you fall
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THANKS TO REGAL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP AND La Salsa Cantina and GAMEWORKS ON LAS VEGAS BLVD NEXT TO MGM FOR SPONSORING THE LORD OF THE RINGS MATCH PLAY CHALLENGE
Below is a photo of last Summer's VegasTennis.com Match Play Challenge participants. It was unique in getting all the best players in town together for weeks on end just to compete. No instruction, just match play. This winter, VegasTennis.com built on that success by having the Lord of The Rings Winter Match Play Challenge over the holiday break for two weeks. Over 36 players competed on two teams. The team with the most wins per week won a trip to see Lord of The rings.
The team captains were this towns best junior players in Lew Deleon, who was #1 in the intermountain for boy's 18's years ago and is now playing college tennis at Northern Arizona University. The second captain is Frideric Prandecki, his towns op junior player in the 16's and one of he best in the 18's. Prandecki has beaten Wesley Hancock who is top 5o in the nation, and just recently won the ClubSport Holiday Classic along with Hennessy's Circuit #1.
This competition was the best I have had
to date, with the players very engaged and into the Lord of The Rings format. At
he end of the two week competition I decided to give all the players involved
free tickets to the movie and we all went to dinner at La Salsa Cantina on the
strip, next to he coke bottle at MGM GRAND. La Salsa also has a location in
NEONOPOLIS and was great in supporting Junior tennis. You and I can support
restaurants like La Salsa and movie theatres like REGAL CINEMA'S AND UNITED
ARTISTS, AND GAMEWORKS, by gong to their stores.
In between the movie and dinner we all went to GAMEWORKS which is an ultimate game room with real life tennis video games and more.
Prandecki's "FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS" Win CHALLENGE by one point.
This past week VegasTennis.com had it's most successful Week long MATCH PLAY CHALLENGE yet. With over 30 players coming together over the holiday break, it is one of the few times a year that the best of the best converge to compete and get to know one another. Then as they travel out of state to other tournaments they no longer will say "There is no tennis in Las Vegas" but can say" In Las Vegas all the best players get together and play the VegasTennis.com Challenge."
This event is structured to be competitive, playing sets of singles and doubles, mini tournaments using tie breaker or one set formats, and mixed with fun team verses team competitions, like around the world or the VegasTennis.com one point tournament.
The highlight of the one week tennis carnival was Ozzie Taveras, little, small and the big underdog, beating Blake Lamberth, one of the better players in the event, in the first round of the 1 point tournament. Ozzie and his teammates and those on the other team loved the pressure and format of the one point competition.
Then came the amazing bouts of
around the world with "The Fellowship" TEAM PRANDECKI" winning most of
these with cohesive team work, much of which was created by TEAM CAPTAIN
FRIDERICK PRANDECKI. Prandecki, who just won the ClubSport and Circuit #1 16
singles and won the Duel in The Desert 18's, was chosen by me as captain as I
knew his personality would work well as a leader. He then went and did an
incredible job with his team and keeping his team aware of the score and their
impending success . The team was trying to win the free trip to see Lord
of The Rings, as the team with the most points at the end of the week
competition wins the free tickets.
BUY HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO IN PICTURE SECTION UNDER LORD OF THE RINGS CHALLENGE ALBUM
Friderick, for his leadership was given the Most Enthusiastic Award. His opposing captain is local standout Lew Deleon who I have mentioned numerous times on this web site. I do so because through maturity, Lew has become the best example in Las Vegas junior tennis of a competitive tennis player, that is serious, focused, humble and mentally tough on and off the court. This includes his honesty, attitude and willingness to play anyone any time, for the most part. Here Lew is by far the best player and never has a problem with playing with players his junior. Instead he adds an element that makes the week worth while. This past Summer Lew got the Silver racquet award, for the person with a disposition that shines like silver. There is not a player in town with a better attitude, and he is a sharp contrast when comparing him to many high level players that tend to have more of an attitude. Ironically, he has no attitude, yet he is better them all. TAKE NOTES.
#1 in the intermountain boys 18's in 2002, and now a college player at Northern Arizona University, Lew is back for holiday break.
Another player, who got the "VegasTennis.com HEART AWARD" is a young girl who this coming May will graduate and go to her long awaited destination of college. For years she has been a stand out player, but it was this years High School State Championships where Estefania Serrano beat last years champions and took second in the STATE FINALS.
Serrano has not only taken her game to a new level , but her attitude has taken on a more mature and willing quality. During this "VegasTennis.com Lord of The Rings Challenge" Serrano was engaged, giving a 100% the whole time, playing some highly competitive matches and loving it the whole time. This is great for a senior player, as some seniors tend to fall of the map in their last year. Instead Serrano is making her mark.
"The VegasTennis.com Most Promising player award" last summer went to Brianna Moyle and Andrew Craven. Both these players have proven me right with their play this fall. Now Mitchell Smith proved that he has a game that makes players take notice. Although he was the youngest player there he gained respect through his effort and attitude.
Week 1 had an amazing feature, with Sarah Borwell, a tennis professional who trains locally, came out and played with he boys and girls, one on one, in KING OF THE COURT singles. Sarah started on the pro tour last year and was ranked in he 700's when I met her. Working with Owen Hambrook, who has since been promoted as the men's head coach at UNLV, and competing all over he world, including a first round doubles match at Wimbledon and inches from making the main draw in singles. Ranked in the op 5 in Great Briton, Sarah is now ranked 337 in he world in just one year. She just recently beat a player that was ranked top 100 in he world. Sarah showed why she is a cut above the rest, as she wore out the girls that played against her in less then a half and hour. All of them had to leave he court and get refreshed while Sarah had no problem continuing to now punish the boys. At he end Sarah commented hat it was Cristala Andrews who was the most difficult to wins points off. For years Cristala has been on of the best players in own and may follow in the foot steps of Christian and Catrina Thompson, who brought national recognition to junior tennis in Las Vegas.
Catrina Thompson also came out and played with the top junior players in a mini singles draw and doubles draw. At Notre Dame the sisters are two of only three ranked players on the Notre Dame girls tennis team. In their freshman year the two sisters among he top players on the team. The Thompson's have always participated in VegasTennis.com events and a great ambassador to Las Vegas tennis all over the world. Stay tuned as I will keep you up to date on heir accomplishments.
Schlotzsky's Deli on Flamingo and Decatur, owned by Tiffany and Ozzie Taveras's mom and dad, sponsored the daily lunches, giving me a price that was very affordable so each player could have "SCHLOTZSKY'S" every day. It was perfect.
Schlotzsky's is also the main sponsor for Hennessy's Jr Circuit, with a mini SCHLOTZSKY'S Cafe being built at UNLV tennis courts with VegasTennis.com tents and decorations. Thanks to David and Penny averas for their support of his and other VegasTennis.com events. Their store on Flamingo and Decatur delivers and call them at 873-6566 to deliver is one way of thanking them for heir continued support.
WEEK 2 DELEON WINS..AWARDS DINNER AT La Salsa Cantina.
AWARDS
Most enthusiastic and LORD OF THE RINGS: Frideric Prandecki was by far the player most engaged in the format and theme of Lord of The Rings. his enthusiasm brought his team together o win most of the team competitions and win week 1.
Eric Linden: Most supportive parent award. Eric was always around to assist and get the lunches or help with what needed to be done. This is something he has always done a evens I do and I am glad I was able to recognize him for this here. Penny and Dave Taveras, Most Supportive Parent: Penny and Dave own the Schlotzsky's Deli on Flamingo and Decatur and have made fully catered events like Hennessy's Circuit and this Lord of The Rings Challenge possible. Often his includes working during the times Penny and Dave use to use o watch their daughter Tiffany and son Ozzie play. Their support of VegasTennis.com has contributed o the higher level and even flair and class. Thank you.Lew Deleon - Class act award and RETURN OF THE KING award: Lew, although the best junior player in town, he is open o all players and is dignified in how he carries his wins and losses. He has always made a major impact on his weekly challenge on VegasTennis as a whole. His personality, along with his focused competitive drive have made him a perfect example for all players , adult and junior.
Heart Award: Estefania Serrano, Estefania has come a long way. This past year she for the first time beat Aziza Aba Butain, who was one of the few girls she could never master, and took second place in he state singles tournament. Most of all, it was her mature disposition in the heart of competition, where she beat last years state champion in he semifinals, and in this competition she has brought forward his new maturity and earned sense of leadership. For this, and her daily effort, maintaining her competitive drive while harnessing it with grace, Estefania gets the VegasTennis.com HEART AWARD which is the highest honor given.
Heart Award: Jonathan Fragoso, It is almost self explanatory why Fragoso gets this award. Most who know him have seen his sence of fairness and good natured way of competition. His game has come a long way over the years as a TEAM MISSION HILLS PLAYER, but with his he has maintained his attitude which is something o be admired. You can not fake goodness, It is a choice, and one Jonathan has made.
No Quit Award: Ismael Diva, Relatively new and not as coached as most players, like me , Ismael is new to the game compared to hose who play every day with weekly coaching and drills and the like. Yet out here and in the VegasTennis.com mini-tournaments, he has improved his game dramatically by simply not quitting. Competing against the best and not letting the losses get o him. For this Ismael gets the no quit award for his attitude which has ingratiated him to many of the long time tournament players which populated this winters challenge.
Most promising: Mitchell Smith and Kamran Linden:, Here are two players with a lot of talent a young age. Mitchell was one of the most popular of the players as he , so little, had so much heart and character. While Kamran has so much energy and talent, he could even intimidate the older much larger players. Both of these players play a ton of tennis and are like machines in getting the big ball back and making incredible plays when placed in highly competitive situations. It takes a certain something to be a great competitor and these two definitely have that.
Most improved, Most Promising: Blake Lamberth, Lamberth has always been up for a game. For years, every time I go to ClubSport, there he is waiting and willing. It reminds me when I was young at the Club I belonged to, the only difference was I rarely found someone o play with me. While Lambert seeks out competition always and has transformed his lesson smooth form into a match play game that can win points. There is a difference between form and winning, and recently I have seen him make close the gap and I would say is one of the most promising players for he next year in junior tennis. He has discovered how to lose points and games without getting upset, and that will make the whole difference. He always had a good game, but now he seems o have an equally as good head.
Most memorable Moment: Ozzie Taveras beats Blake Lamberth in one point tournament,
This was by far the highlight. The one point tournament is filled with pressure, and Blake trying to be nice gave Ozzie balls he could hit. Ozzie up until this point became the event mascot, as his big energy and amusing character made him the favorite amongst the players that heard him often calling for a doubles match and rarely got one. But with immunity in around the world, he would play as long as anybody . Then in the one point tournament he returned Blake's ball and won the point and the crowd went wild. Not only did this give his team a much needed point , it was just amazing that an 8 year old had a chance to beat one of the better 18 and under players. Blake took it well.Sarah Toti: Class Ac Award: I took a survey at the end and the two adult players were amazed at how some of the junior players over reacted o missing a ball or losing a point. But they were equal amazed at how poised and graceful this one young girl was in victory and defeat. Sarah Toti has been the darling of adult tennis, with her Mon Mary Clifford being an intricate part of Spanish rail tennis, and now she is also one of the best 12 and under junior players in town. But what left the impression on the adults that joined us and many who come in contact with her is her demeanor. She is the quintessential young lady who not only looks the part but acts it, genuinely.
Peter and Lisa Mueller: Heart Award: n Peter, my old doubles partner in league, and his wife Lisa, who is a local beginner who went from 2.5 to 3.0 and soon 3.5 in no time, decided to join this adventure, and to surprise of team captain Lew Deleon. When he saw the adults playing as we were picking teams, he was blown away at "How cool" it was for these older players to come out and play with the younger, often quicker and more in shape junior player. They not only kept up to the pace but made heir presence known with wins and smart playing which brought their respective teams wins. Lisa was in the finals of around the world often, while Peter was tough to beat. Lisa was most pleased with her match against Sarah Toti, who is known to beat many of the 3.5 ladies at Spanish Trail. They not only enjoyed their time but got involved and added a great deal to the experience.
Junior tennis, as Mrs. Carter said, is the best kept secret in tennis. After discovering it I have attempted many times to bring he adult tennis scene and junior tennis scene together. While there are a slight few that complain at such attempts, most enjoy the lively nature of the young player or the mature perspective of the adult. Juniors like playing with adults and adults like playing with juniors. One thing that is great about a junior players is they take the competition seriously, and it is great to see adults do the same. I compete seriously, not because I am looking to go pro, just because when you do something you should either do it right or don't do it at all. I have chosen to do it right. This match play CHALLENGE is a perfect example. I was very pleased with how it turned out. And it all came about by being led in my life and following that knowing when I was led to do something. From when the idea came, step by step I was shown how to make it good, and each time I had a choice, to do what I was led o do, or to not. I chose to do it. Whether it was the daily format, which I let come in he moment, or the post event celebration which all came together by being led to go down to the strip Christmas day. Although it was raining and something wanted me to stay home and sleep or rest, I knew I should go down and get the movie tickets, at which point I was led to walk the strip where I saw GAMEWORKS, talk to hem and then went to La Salsa Cantina Restaurant. Had I not gotten out of my house and did what I was led to do, that awesome part of the event would have never happened. In life there are two roads, the one of doing what you are led to do, and the road of not. One is much brighter.
When doing the awards in the La
Salsa Cantina on the last night of the event, in a flash I saw all that had led
up to that perfect moment, and smiled knowing the competition within myself I
was winning/ I did it right. No quitting. No excuses. No "I will do it
later." I did it now and that made all the difference.
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Prandecki's "The Fellowship" 52 |
vs TEAM DELEON 51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SCOREBOARD
MANY MATCHES ARE NOT LISTED AS MANY SETS WERE PLAYED AND NOT RECORDED.
Here is a listing of the matches that were recorded. Links to mini tournament and "One point tournament" DRAWS is below.
| TEAM DELEON | THE FELLOWSHIP | SCORE |
| Lew/Chris Painter | Frideric Prandecki/Cristala Andrews | 6-2 |
| Estefania Serrano/Ramon Montez | Andrew Craven/Trenton Alinek | Trenton/Craven 6-4 |
| Hanna/Meddick | Fragoso/Kamrana Linden | 6-1 |
| Neil Anderson/Ismael Diva | Maximillian Chesnoff/Alicia Cook | Maximillian/Alicia 7-5 |
| Mitchell Smith/Alicia Karafa | Tiffany Taveras/Alan Karafa | Taveras/Alan 6-1 |
| Mitchell Smith | Tiffany Taveras | Mitchell 6-1 |
| Lew/Estefania Serrano | Prandecki/Craven | 6-4 |
| Painter/Ramon | Cristala/Trenton | Maximillian 6-3 |
| Jacquelyn Tang/Jonathan Fragoso | Willie Sublette/Alan Karafa | Tang/Fragoso 6-1 |
| Brittany/Neil | Alicia/Alicia | Alicia's 6-4 |
| Tiffany Taveras | Neil Anderson | Neil |
| Mike Uriarte | Ismael Diva | Mike 10-5, 10-6 |
| William Sublette | Maximillian Chesnoff | Chesnoff 6-1 |
| Chris Painter | Cristala Andrews | 11-9, 10-3 |
| Mitchell Smith | Tiffany Taveras | Mitchell 6-2 |
| Mitchell Smith | Neil Anderson | Mitchell 6-1 |
| Kamran Linden | Tiffany Taveras | Kamran 6-0 |
| William Sublette | Angelica Simms | William 6-4 |
| Mitchell Smith | Ismael Diva | Mitchell 10-8, 10-1 |
| Ramon Montez | Ismael Diva | Ramon (ret) |
| Alicia Cook | Mitchell Smith | Mitchell 10-7, 10-6 |
| Lew/Estefania/Blake |
DAY 2 Frideric/Craven/Cristala |
21-19, 21-15 |
| Uriarte/Cook/Painter | Julian/Trenton/Moyle | |
| Brittany Hanna/Brianna Moyle | Fragoso/Cook | Brittany/Brianna 6-1 |
| Maximillian Chesnoff | Neil Anderson | Maximillian 6-0 |
| Neil | Tiffany Taveras | Neil 7-5 |
| TEAM DELEON | PRANDECKI'S FELLOWSHIP | 21-16, 22-20 |
| Prandecki/Cristala | Estefania/Brianna | |
| Painter/Hanna | Craven/Blake | |
| Alicia/Neil | Ravi/Ismael | Alicia/Neil 6-4 |
| Ravi /Trenton | Painter/Ismael | |
| Craven/Blake | Cristala/Frideric | |
| Alicia/Jonathan | Brianna/Hanna | |
| Kamran | Ravi | Kamran 6-1 |
| Max | Ravi | Ravi 6-1 |
| Max | Tiffany | Max 6-1 |
| Uriarte/Brittany Hanna | Andrew Craven/Brianna Moyle | Uriarte 7-10 |
| Brittany Hanna | Brianna Moyle | Brittany Hanna 10-6, 4-10, 10-8 |
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DAY 3 |
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| Gabrielle Gibson | Jonathan Fragoso | Jonathan 6-3 |
| Max/Mitch | Ismael /Tiffany | Max/Mitch 6-3 |
| Kamran | Willie | Kamran 6-1 |
| Cristala/Estefania | Lew/Brianna Moyle | Cristala/Estefania 6-0 |
| Max/Jacquelyn | Raul/Ismael | Max/Jacquelyn |
| Andrew Craven | Blake Lamberth | Andrew Craven |
| John Tuthill/Raul | Neil Anderson/Willie Sublette | |
| Willie/Devon | Jonathan Tuthill/Raul Martinez | Raul/Tuthill |
| Brittany Hanna | Jonathan Fragoso | Hanna 10-8, 10-3 |
| Mitchell Smith | Brianna Moyle | Moyle 10-1, 10-3 |
| Amelia Martinez | Trent Alenik | Trent 10-1, 10-5 |
| Chris Painter | Estefania Serrano | Painter |
| Andrew Craven | Cristala Andrews | Cristala 10-8, 8-10, 10-8 |
| Max | Neil | Max 6-2 |
| Mitchell Smith/ Max Chesnoff | Tiffany Taveras/Ismael Diva | Mitchell /Max |
| Mitchell Smith/ Max Chesnoff | Tiffany Taveras/Ismael Diva | Mitchell /Max |
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SPECIAL HITTING SESSION |
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| Brianna Moyle, Cristala Andrews, Brittany Hanna, Estefania Serrano | Sarah Borwell (Ranked 337 ATP World ranking) | |
| Andrew Craven, Chris Painter, Bobby Jelone, Maggie Yahner, Blake Lamberth | Lew Deleon (#1 Intermountain 18's 2002), Northern Arizona college player. | |
| Ismael/Blake Lamberth | Kamran/Max | Blake/Ismael 6-4 |
| Neil Anderson | Tiffany Taveras | Neil 6-4 |
| Neil /Tiffany | Max/Mitch | Max/Mitch 6-3 |
| Amelia Martinez/Chris Painter | Chris Painter | Chris Painter |
| Jonathan Fragoso | Brittany Hanna | Brittany Hanna 10-8, 10-3 |
| Lew Deleon/Estefania Serrano | Prandecki/Moyle | Lew/Serran0 6-4 |
| Trent Alenik/Maggie Yahner | Cristala Andrews/Bobby Jelone | Trent/Maggie 6-4 |
| Max/Mitchell | Neil /Alicia | |
| Brittany Hanna/Christopher Painter | Fragoso/Craven | Fragoso/Craven 6-3 |
| Ozzie | Mitchell | Mitchell 6-0 |
| Alicia Cook | Amelia Martinez | Amelia 6-2 |
| Tiffany Taveras | Neil Anderson | Neil 7-5 |
CLICK TO SEE MINI TOURNAMENT DRAWS, AND THE "ONE POINT TOURNAMENT" DRAW
WEEK 2
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Prandecki's "The Fellowship" 52 |
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