Cynthia Dardis & Amy Shay Capture APTA Women's 45+ Nationals

Final Draw (pdf)

Don't miss the slide show below the story!

Congratulations to all the
winners & finalists

Main Draw

Dardis-Shay d. McNitt-Ohlmuller
7-5,6-4

Quarter Reprieve

Prop-Schneebeck d. Lanphier-Magrini
6-0, 6-2

Reprieve

Driscoll-Stutz d. Bierman-Dodd
7-6,3-6,6-4

Consolation

Bernard-Gorski d. Carpenter-Reighard
3-6, 6-0, 6-3

Consolation Reprieve

Kammerer-Kennedy d. Watkins-Weinstein
6-2,6-4

February 25, 2013
Lake Forest, IL

Last May the APTA Board decided to change the age for the APTA Women's 40+ Nationals to 45+; adjusting for the incredibly high level of play seen in platform tennis at ages considered senior in tennis and other sports. But that didn't rule out many top level players, including the #1 nationally ranked team of Cynthia Dardis and Amy Shay. Other top teams in the draw included Bobo Delaney and Judy Takach (2012 winners of the 40+ Nationals - the defending champs), Cincinnati powerhouse Heather Prop and Lynne Schneebeck, and top flight locals Jane McNitt and Marina Ohlmuller, and Mary Doten and Sally Jones.

In the main draw, only 4 of the 5 contenders could make it to the semi finals, and it was Prop-Schneebeck who were ousted in the quarter finals by McNitt-Ohlmuller. They played a tough 3 setter ending at 7-5, 1-6, 6-1: the sort of momentum swinging score paddle players know so well. Prop-Schneebeck then cruised to a Quarter Reprieve victory.

The semi finals featured two regional contests. Dardis and Shay of CT took on Delaney-Takach of NJ, defeating them 6-3, 7-5 to move into the final. The other semi was totally local. McNitt-Ohlmuller defeated Doten-Jones in an identical 6-3, 7-5 match.

Saturday had been a perfect paddle day: cool with clouds in the morning and sun in the afternoon. Sunday was a dreadful, rainy mess. But we all play in the rain when necessary, and the championship match, officiated by Howard Sipe, was no exception. Despite the horrible conditions, it was an exciting match to watch, and in the end Dardis-Shay showed why they are top ranked in the nation and took the title in a close 7-5 6-4 victory.

There was a lot of other action over the weekend, with many smaller and individual stories playing out over the various tournament locations. Some examples:

There was a strong Cincinnati contingent, lead by Prop & Schneebeck, who car pooled to Chicago. They returned home loaded up with trophies because Cincinnati teams won 3 out of the 5 draws.
Every final featured one local team and one out of town team, and in every final the out of town team won.
Elmo was slamming into the east coast as the tournament began, and our two east coast teams flew out only hours before the east coast shut down. In all, only 2 teams had to pull out due to the storm.
There were so many long, tight matches that the last players got off the court at 7:15 Saturday night.

It was a great weekend, and we hope everyone enjoyed their experiences. Many thanks go to our wonderful sponsors, our outstanding volunteers coordinated by Anne and Walt Fyk, tournament central Lake Forest Club and all the clubs who graciously provided courts, and of course the players, who were sprited, courteous and loads of fun to watch.