DH runs over AS 6-2,6-0.

Ladies Champion DH knocks off yet another male player!

By aggressively running Scott side to side, and attacking the ball - DH neutralizes Scott's size advantage!  Deanna pounced on the ball whenever she could, hitting well executed forehands, and two-handed backhands deep into the corners.  Likewise, Scott runs around his backhand on numerous occasions to favor a vertical forehand shot which was effective, but too infrequent to gain an edge.  Deanna tires the big guy out, then goes in for the kill!  DH eliminates Scott: 6-2,6-0.

Despite being rusty -- OC wins comfortably!

KI prevents shutout!

Matched up against the more skilled OC -- KI had quite the battle on his hands!  OC possesses without question the best two-handed backhand in TowerTennis!  Couple this with one of the top serves, and a topspin forehand that he can direct anywhere he wants, and you have the makings of a shutout.  KI's challenge under such circumstances was to win anything he could -- and he did!

OC found success targeting KI's backhand by hitting multiple shots deep to the right corner.  Meanwhile, KI ripped a few smoking serves OC's way!  One serve was a blistering ace that was so good KI broke out into dance (Like a NFL touchdown celebration)!  Although these big KI serves gave him an edge, he didn't finish the point on OC's return.  KI frequently, made himself vulnerable by hitting up on the ball.  Although this has a neutral effect if the ball is deep.  Anything landing between the net, and the service line will set the opponent up for a winning stroke.

OC's game was quite dominant, but there were several long rallies.  Losing the 1st-set 6-0, KI faced a very real prospect of going down without a single victory.  KI then mixes up a deep lob over a lunging OC to the left corner.  Then follows with a drop-shot to prevent the shutout!

At triple match-point down, KI slams a service winner to stay alive -- But quickly succumbs to an OC forehand cross-court nailing the sideline.   OC eliminates KI 6-0, 6-1.  

In the heat of battle... CD keeps his cool!

CD avenges earlier loss to BW by serving up smoking hot strokes, and steamy winners!

BW starts out strong, jumping to a 3-1 lead.  Then CD starts chipping away until he catches and surpasses.  CD is now leading 5-3 as BW lobs deep forcing Curt to swing on the run.  CD's return is bad, and BW closes to 5-4 before Curt takes the set.

In the 2nd... Momentum carries over as CD pushes ahead to lead 3-0! Then BW counters by tieing it up at 3-all!  Fearing a 3rd-set -- Curt ratchets up his game to take the next three.  CD eliminates BW 6-4, 6-3.

Match Preview: BW vs CD -- Thursday August 25, 4:30pm Harmon Park

The Heat Is On!!

In a battle to stay alive in The 2011 TowerTennis Championship -- CD and BW will face off in a rematch from a controversial 2nd round battle. Heat played a major role in CD's loss against BW. This caused him to retire from play, despite a healthy lead. CD then went on to slide right past KS on a rain soaked court. CD now finds himself face to face with the player who sent him to the loser's side. BW was sent packing to the losers bracket in a loss to the more experienced KN. When asked of his strategy to defeat CD again, BW responded with: "I'm gonna run his ass ragged, and hope to outlast him." Meanwhile: CD responded with "I'll bring justice, by bringing an end to BW's tennis season!" This match is scheduled for 4:30 pm Thursday August 25th, at Harmon Park. Come out and see who can withstand the elements of the TowerTennis Championship!

"BY" out-executes "AJ"!

Shot execution was the difference, in this elimination rematch!

AJ's 1st-serve fails, while his ground strokes miss their mark.  Meanwhile, "BY" makes the adjustments to increase his percentages.  Well known for a bullet-serve -- "BY" goes down 1-3 in the 2nd.  Realizing that you have to get it in... to win.  Steve throttles back the power -- then takes 5-unanswered games to win the match!  "BY eliminates "AJ" in straight-sets: 6-1, 6-3.

Note: SV mistakenly tells "BY" that's he's made the quarterfinals in the above video.  After checking the bracket "BY" is actually in the round-of-eight.

Suspension Announcement!

As the person who has organized, directed, and commissioned this tournament since its inception in 2004.  I feel that I not only have the authority, but the responsibility to protect the integrity of this event, and those who wish to support it by removing a detrimental player who has consistently made a mockery of our annual event.  One rogue individual will not be permitted to harm what dozens of people have enjoyed participating in, and following for nearly a decade.   Regretfully, a prominent player in our tournament has chosen to consistently behave in a derisive, and offensive manner that is inconsistent with both tennis, and social norms.  Therefore, I feel forced to suspend this player from the 2011 TowerTennis Championship effective immediately.

I regret having to take this action, but feel that permitting this individual to continue to participate in our tournament would be detrimental to the event, and condone this type of behavior. -- Steve England

Sopcic on the edge of glory... loses grasp at moment of truth!

Sopcic forces tie-breaker in the 2nd, but misses chance to take a cramping SV to three!

Sopcic starts strong and is only one point from taking a 3-0 lead, but allows SV to come back from a 40-love deficit to take 5 straight games.  Sopcic now finds himself down 2-5, but battles back to 4-5 before SV wins the 1st-set.

In the 2nd... Sopcic is down 2-5 and faces 4 separate match-points down, but won't go quietly into the night!  In an unbelievable comeback, Sopcic ties it up at 5-all, then again at 6-all to force a tie-breaker!  With SV starting to cramp up (hindering his performance), all Sopcic has to do is take SV to three!  Sopcic knows his youth and fitness will out last the aging defending champ, but only if he can force a 3rd-set!  Sopcic on the edge of glory... loses grasp at the moment of truth!  Sopcic loses the tie-breaker, and with it an undefeated record, and a trip to the finals.  SV survives the young challenger 6-4,7-6(7-1).

Semifinal Showdown Preview!

Young challenger Sopcic seeks to take down defending champion SV!

Don't miss out on what could be a historic battle for TowerTennis dominance!  Will the old man prevail, or will a new stallion take over?  Sopcic takes on SV -- Wednesday August 17, 2:30pm Norwalk Tennis Complex, Norwalk, IA.

Quarterfinals: Sopcic routs KN 6-1,6-0!

Sopcic is unstoppable! As powerful and accurate as KN's forehand is, it was no match for young Sopcic!  

Sopcic was all over the court!  KN can usually sense when a player approaches the net, but not Sopcic!  Sopcic's panther-like approach, and cheetah-like speed, was a formidable combination!  KN would rip a forehand return, but out of the blue -- Sopcic would pound a volley from the net for a winner!  Sopcic returned practically everything, and demonstrated a court coverage unequaled in TowerTennis!  If he wasn't ripping a 1st-serve, he was attacking the net!  KN had quite the battle on his hands, but managed to save a set-point down, to prevent a shutout!  Sopcic wins the quarterfinals 6-1, 6-0!

DH wins tie-breaker! Deanna eliminates Angry-Jeff!

Reigning Ladies Champion Deanna takes down one of the men! Any tie-breaker is full of drama, as I'm sure this breaker must have been!  When the cloak of suspense cleared... DH had pulled ahead for the victory 7-6(7-3).  Now up 1-set to none, Angry-Jeff would have had to battle back just to tie!  Although the score was close.  With 8-years experience competing against the men -- Deanna shuts Angry-Jeff down, and takes the 2nd for a straight-set victory!  DH eliminates MN 7-6(7-3),6-4.

JM ends DK's quest for TowerTennis glory!

Despite rolling his ankle, battling DK's underhanded serve, and struggling with low percentages from his own 1st-serve.  JM aces DK several times, coupled with multiple service winners to end DK's tournament. 







File Photo by Schewe, taken during the DK/SV match earlier in year.

Sopcic wins convincingly over KI!

Sopcic continues his winning ways!  TB convincingly takes down KI in straight sets 6-1,6-0. Listen to the players describe the match in their own words:

Rain plagues Curt/Schewe Match!

Saturated tennis balls sporting spinning rooster-tails soak players as they stroke through heavy water-laden balls.

The rain began the moment Curt arrived, but players decide to brave the slippery conditions to complete their long awaited match.  Schewe leads early in each set, but Curt demonstrated a strong service game with well placed shots frequently putting Schewe on the defense.  Curt would frequently hit deep to the baseline, causing Schewe to retreat backward.  This put Schewe out of position, and most often caused a bad hit.  Despite this, Schewe stays close, making virtually every game a multi-deuce marathon!  The wet courts did pose a safety issue, but players restrained themselves just enough to prevent injury.  Every point was a joy to watch, as the spinning balls flung spray into the air, sometimes soaking the players.  Curt eliminates Schewe from 2011 competition with a 6-2,6-2 victory in the rain.