JAMMERS ARE BACK

It has been a while since I’ve written in our blog.  It has been a quiet winter for the Jammers as far as tennis.  We didn’t do much in the winter as tennis goes.  Most of us just wanted to think back of our 2012 USTA season and see how far we did.  The season for the Jammers ended pretty early for 2012, but for those that were Jammers/Racquetheads that went on to Nationals, it was a season they will never forget. 

2013 USTA League have change this year for us.  The age group format is different than it has been in the past.  For 2013, the Jammers can play 18 & Over and/or 40 & Over division, and all of us has opt to play in the 40 & Over division.  We will see how that will work out for us, not only will we play in the same level, but pretty much people in our age group as well.  No more of those 20 years old at Sectionals. 

 

The USTA rules stated that if a team played at Nationals, they have to move up or split up for the next season.  They can’t stay together as a team.  Only 3 players can stay together, you have to split up, or the whole team move up to the next level.  Luckily for the Jammers, for 2013, we didn’t have to follow that rule.  Half of the Jammers were on the Racquetheads team that went to the 2012 Nationals, but they get to play together for at least one more year, which they are very happy.

 Our 2013 roster looks a little different this year, most of the Jammers are the same, and we lost a few because of the age.  We lost Hee-Sun Kim because she got bumped up to 4.0 NTRP level.  So congratulations to Hee-Sun!!!  Suzanne Lennard would not be able to play with the Jammers this year.  She has family/travel commitments, (two weeks in Nicaragua as a family doing house constructions and taking care of medical needs, how cool is that) that will keep her from playing in Districts and Sectionals.  I know she’s a Jammer at heart and will be cheering the Jammers on.  There will always be a spot on the team for you Suzanne.  We also lost Julie Trout, Julie and her family moved to Wichita, KS.  Julie had been a team player for years, we will really miss her. And I hope she will find a team to play on when she’s in KS.  Any team will be very lucky to have her.

I on the other hand, am with the Jammers, but I have taken on as a different role.  I am no longer the captain of the team.  Since I have accepted the role of USTA League Coordinator, I can no longer allow to captain any USTA teams.  I have passed the captain torch back to Nancy Winters, who had the captain’s role before I did.  So it was only appropriate to give it back to her.  And of course, Nancy was happily to accept it back, with a condition that I will be the Jammers’ Coach.  As Kelly put it, yes I can still boss all of them around.  Hmmm, not sure if I ever do such a thing.  On the other hand, Lisa does call me ‘Little Hitler’.

We also like to welcome new faces to the Jammer team – Mary Ann Daum, Leigh Lewis, Julie Skinner, and Kim Wood.  I think they will fit quite well with the rest of the Jammers.  New Jammers are aware that we ALL have one goal every year – that one goal is to make it to Sectionals and do well.  That dream was kind of shattered for the Jammers in 2012; it will not be repeated in 2013 season.