What comes to mind when you think of sports on Father’s day weekend? The U.S. Open? Maybe NBA or NHL playoffs? While those are traditional staples of the Father’s Day sports menu for most of the country, here in our neck of the woods, the intense Pickleball action of the CPL takes the cake.
Match 1: The Wagner’s vs The Keck’s
The evening kicked off with a heavily anticipated bout between the Wagner’s and the league-leading Keck’s. Due to a commitment to a higher paying gig, this reporter missed all but a couple volleys of the match. But what a highly contested volley they each were with Sarah and Stephanie trading shot for shot and the gentleman pouncing on any opportunity for a slam shot! Juice and Scott were both perspiring at a high degree by the time the match was over, which the Keck’s won 11-2 in both games.
Match 2: The Morgan’s vs The Weisenburger’s
What a better way to kick off your wedding week than with a game of Pickleball? That’s exactly what Curtis and Rose did as they battled The Morgan’s with each team looking for their first win of the year. Catlyn came to play this week and dominated the kitchen line from the start darting shots back at Curtis and Rose. The soonly-weds didn’t back down, engaging in some long volleys for hard earned points. Ultimately, Ross was able to provide some key winning shots to take a lead and cruise to an 11-2 Game 1 win. Game 2 was a lot closer throughout with teams trading points with some great shots by both sides. Catlyn modeled some exceptional marriage communication tools throughout the match for Curtis and Rose as well. For example, she provided Ross with encouraging words like, “Hit it with your purse, Sally!” to indicate to Ross she would like him to hit the ball a little harder in order for the ball to travel over the net, in lieu of hitting into it. It appeared the positive feedback worked as the Morgan’s took Game 2 as well 11-8 to earn the win!
Match 3: The Brown’s vs The Wagner’s
The Wagner’s were on double-duty this week and took on the Brown’s in the evening’s next match. Right from the start, you could tell this was gonna be a good one with both teams hitting terrific shot after terrific shot to sustain some long volleys for hard earned points. Chelsea came out en fuego (that’s on fire for our non-Spanish speaking friends) with some masterful shots painting the corners of the edge lines to give the Brown’s an early advantage. The Wagner’s would not go away though and battled back to keep the game tight throughout with some lazer shots by Sarah and great range shown once again by Juice. In the end though, Kurtis was able to control the kitchen line enough to earn the 11-9 win. As game 2 began Chelsea and Kurtis just got stronger and stronger to build an early lead. Chelsea continued her assault on the ball and owned the line shots all game with Kurtis slamming the door when the opportunity presented to earn the match with an 11-4 win in Game 2. After the bout, reporters learned Chelsea was powered by 3 brownies prior to the game. No word on the content of said brownies, though no performing enhancers are suspected at this time.
Match 4: The Zimmerman’s vs The Morgan’s
Fresh off winning their first match of the year, the Morgan’s were eager for more as they took on the Zimmerman’s. Rob and Lisa were ready to roll from the start and pounced on the opportunity for an early lead. Ross and Rob were launching cannons at one another in this hard-hitting affair. Catlyn and Lisa also got in on the action with some terrific shots as well with pinpoint placement. Rob’s ambidexterity was on full display in this one, though switching paddle from hand to hand with ease to put the ball just out of reach of the Morgan’s as they won Game 1 by a score of 11 to 5.
Game 2 was also a fun game to watch, as both teams played at a high level. Lisa provided a spark with a series of tremendous shots to give the Zimmerman’s the early advantage that they were able to sustain to earn the victory 11-4.
Match 5: Team Van Vennekotter vs The Zimmerman’s
Rob and Lisa had no time to recover from their battle with the Morgan’s as Jessica and Mark were eagerly awaiting them in the next match of the evening. The Zimmerman’s continued their groove from their prior match early and were able to catch Team Van Vennekotter out of position for some key points. Jessica and Mark were hitting the ball just long in Game 1 as Rob and Lisa earned the 11-5 win.
Game 2 was a battle throughout with neither team able to separate from the other. The skillset for all four titans were on full display in this highly entertaining and competitive match. Rob’s dual handed attack. Jess’s power shot from the back. Mark’s smooth precision shots to the open space. Lisa’s sideline shots. All combined, led to a great game. Mark and Jess caught some momentum at the end of the second game which propelled them to an 11-7 win.
The deciding game 3 was another tremendously competitive game and a joy to behold for any pickleball aficionado. The game never got more than 3 points in favor of either team. A few minor mistakes were able to be capitalized on by Jess and Mark and they earned the victory 11-8 for a highly contested win.
Match 6: The Miller’s vs The Donaldson’s
The evening’s final bout saw Air Mayor lead the Miller’s versus the host Donaldson’s, seeking to keep their unblemished regular season going. Sarah and Brian let their strategy be known early with both aiming to control their half of the kitchen line. Renee and Matt looked to counter with some lob shots over the top. Game 1, however, ended with a pickle as the Donaldson’s were able to blank the Miller’s 11-0. Game 2 saw some very competitive volleys, but the score remained the same in the end with Sarah and Brian winning 11-0 to take the match.
After all scheduled matches, the remaining father’s decided to delight the ladies and children in the crowd with an exhibition match. The score was forgotten, but the fun had while displaying their athletic prowess to their lifelong mates was not! (Although I am not sure how much spectating was actually going on)