Cincy Duo Take Midwesterns
Cincinnati, OH
January 16, 2018
On a crazy weather day that included downpours of rain, sleet, hail, and eventually snow, 36 women's teams survived the elements and made the first day of The Midwesterns a success.
The first round concluded with the fourth seeds, Kelly Fisher and Jessica Guyaux, being eliminated by the tough local team of Nancy Budde and Tracy Glassmeyer. Budde/Glassmayer went on to reach the semifinals before falling to the top seeds, Heather Prop and Mary Zimmerman.
The second seeded team of Shaheen Bhanji and Lea Morris escaped a huge upset in the Round of 16, winning 7-5 in the third over Columbus players Dori Easdale and Jill Gilbert, only to fall to Abby Hand and Amy Heil in the quarters. Multiple National titles champ Marina Ohlmuller and partner Chris Maglocci, seeded third, made the five-hour trip down to Cincinnati and breezed through the draw with wins over fellow Chicago players Sally Jones and Stef Ross in the quarters and Hand/Heil in the semis.
The final match on Saturday saw clear, sunny, skies but cold temperatures as local favorites Prop/Zimmerman took on Maglocci/Ohlmuller. Despite having two surgeries in the month of December, Prop came out to play and brought her super-athletic southpaw partner, Mary Zimmerman, with her. Although this was the first time Prop and Zimmerman teamed up together, they got off to a 4-1 lead in the first set and never looked back, taking the title 6-3, 6-2.
Thanks to the Camargo Club for hosting the Friday night party, Tournament Director Heather Prop, hut commander coordinator Fritz Horne, and the countless volunteers who helped to make this event possible. Favors were provided by Fila and prizes were awarded by Athleta.
Results:
Main Draw: Heather Prop/Mary Zimmerman def. Chris Maglocci/Marina Ohlmuller, 6-3, 6-2
Quarterfinal Reprieve: Shaheen Bhanji/Lea Morris def. Shannon Benic/MaryWilson, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4
Reprieve: Dori Easdale/ Jill Gilbert def. Elizabeth Joseph/Nathalie Lemieux, 6-4, 6-3
Consolation: Lisa Goldberg/Kelsey Laird def. Olivia Capannari/Allison Thornton, 6-2, 6-2
Consolation Reprieve: Susan Freidman/Emily Soller def. Bizzy Driscoll/Amy Lutz, 6-4, 7-6
Last Chance: Eby Day/Sheri Frey def. Katie Frey/Gerry Schulze, 6-1, 6-2