Coverage of the Mixed Nationals

Marjorie Hodson reported for PTM:

The weather was beautiful, the site spectacular and the tournament committee, Indian Trail Club staff and volunteers outdid themselves in staging the 2009 Mixed Nationals and Husband-Wife Mixed Nationals.

With sunny skies and temperatures that were cool enough for the players but comfortable for the spectators, the Indian Trail Club hosted the Mixed Nationals the weekend of March 13 — 15. The club took this opportunity to show off their new McBride House, which is so much more than a paddle hut! The staff anticipated needs before the contestants even knew they had them – with such touches as a bin of ice and plastic bags for after match aches and pains — to add to a memorable weekend.

Play began on Friday with the Husband-Wife contests, with both Open and Senior divisions playing in a one-day format. In the Open draw, Jessica and Matt Guyaux of Pittsburgh survived three straight 3-set matches to finally defeat Sandra and Fritz Odenbach, of Rochester, and claim the gold medal.

The Senior Husband-Wife tournament saw new teams in the finals, with neither of last year’s medalists making it that far. Janet and Chuck Faig (Gillette, NJ) took home the gold medal, with Laurie and Steve Schelz (Riverside, CT) earning the silver.

On Saturday, play in the Open Mixed Nationals began at area clubs. Following lunch, all matches were scheduled for the eight courts at Indian Trail Club so that there was a lot of action for the spectators to watch. By late afternoon, all back-draw play had been completed and there were four teams left in the main draw.

Multi-time champs Bobo Delaney & John Milbank faced Aila Main & David Caldwell and Cooey Burkhart-Lyon & Scott Falatek squared off against Liz Jaffe & Juan Arraya in the Sunday morning semi-finals. Main & Caldwell (NYC) and Jaffe & Arraya (Port Washington, NY/Cos Cob, CT) emerged victorious.

In an amazing display of athleticism and skill, Main & Caldwell prevailed to claim the Mixed Nationals title for 2009.

Source: Marjorie Hodson, Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 10, Issue 5, 2009