The rapid growth of the CPL has paved the way for history to be made again folks with 13 spectacular bouts in the books yesterday.
Match 1: The Brown’s (K & C) vs The Keck’s (S & S)
A battle of undefeated teams kicked off the evening in a make-up game with Scott and Stephanie taking on Kurtis and Chelsea. A 4-week hiatus by the Brown’s led to a rusty start with Stephanie and Scott capitalizing quickly by racing out to an early 8-0 lead. The Brown’s were able to battle back with the power of the dink shot, but still fell in Game 1, 11-2. In game 2, Kurtis and Chelsea were able to neutralize the Keck’s power game to a degree by battling it out with the dink game, leading to some terrific rallies by both teams. The final score did not reflect the action in the game or do it justice on how well it was played with the Keck’s taking the match 11-2.
Match 2: The Keck’s (S & S) vs The Donaldson’s
Scott and Stephanie were looking to make it 2 for 2 against undefeated teams as a rematch of last year’s championship game was on hand against the Donaldson’s. Both teams came out guns a blazing look to gab the upper-hand and split the first two games with Game 1 going to Brian & Sarah 11-8 and Game 2 to Scott and Stephanie 11-6. An epic Game 3 was on hand to determine the final unbeaten team this season with neither team able to create much of a cushion on one another. Dink… donk… back and forth we went with the therapeutic tones of the ball off of clanking off of the paddle. With the Donaldson’s holding serve at 11-10-1, the Keck’s were facing their fist match loss in 3 years. A golden opportunity to put the match away was missed when Brian smashed a shot of the top off the net. That crack was what Scott and Stephanie needed to fire back and win 13-11 and keep their record unblemished.
Match 3: The Brown’s (K & C) vs The Tegenkamp’s
Kurtis and Chelsea were back on the court and ready to battle Todd and Michelle. Looking very strong early, the Tegenkamp’s kept pace with the Brown’s matching the dinking skills and power game shot for shot. With the game tight, Chelsea and Kurtis found their momentum to win Game 1 by a score of 11-9. Game 2 saw the same great battle with the Brown’s finding their groove at the end to win 11-7 and earn the match.
Match 4: The Keck’s vs The Wagner’s
Scott and Stephanie were back again looking to completely the day’s trifecta, but Juice was blacked out, ready to use all the tools necessary to knock off the defending champions. The psychological warfare did not seem to make a difference thought in this one, with Scott and Stephanie solely focused on winning the match by any means necessary. Scott and Stephanie were in attack mode and their relentless assault earned them an 11-2, 11-0 victory.
Match 5: The Tegenkamp’s vs The Keck’s (R & K)
The other Keck’s were now up looking to keep the family surname out of the loss column with Todd and Michelle eager to earn their first victory in league play. The expansion teams engaged in a hotly contested Game 1 with veteran shots by both sides. Game 1 would go the Keck’s way, however 11-9. After court sides were switched we were back in action and Ryan was determined to utilize his spin-a-roonie serves to take the match. Todd and Michelle battled back but in the end, Katie and Ryan came out on top 11-5 to win the match.
Match 6: The Brown’s (K & C) vs The Wagner’s
Another highly competitive and entertaining match was on hand with Kurtis and Chelsea locking horns with Juice and Sarah. Two games would not be enough to determine the winner as the teams’ split the first two games with the Brown’s winning Game 1, 11-9 and the Wagner’s taking Game 2, 11-7. This match had it all from Sarah and Chelsea’s muscle busting power shots to Juice and Kurtis playing a meticulous game of chess in the short game. With the perspiration points at the max, and the red sauce of determination running down his knee, Juice was looking to propel the Wagner’s with a final run. Kurtis and Chelsea had other plans, however, and took control at the right time to power on to an 11-6 win to earn the match.
Match 7: The Van Ham’s vs The Keck’s (R & K)
Next up Mark and Kelly were ready to roll against Ryan and Katie. Donning a glow in the dark farmer’s tan, Mark was fired up at the start. With teams still feeling each other out early, Ryan sent a message with an earth-shattering slam shot with a wind up for days directly into Kelly’s midsection. Thankfully, serious injury was avoided but the tone and message had been sent. Shortly after and know well aware of the Keck’s game plan, Mark saw his opportunity to defend his wife’s honor and smoked a power shot of his own and wound up catching Ryan in a place that is not to be named. In the end, the Keck’s pulled through 11-7, 11-3 by targeting their shots accurately and earning the match win.
Match 8: The Schmidt’s vs the Wagner’s
Squeezing in another make up game from the previous week’s schedule, the Wagner’s and Schmidt’s were ready to duel it out on the court. Drawing first blood both literally and figuratively, the Wagner’s seized an opportunity to take an early lead. Damon and Erin would not go quietly though and battled back to a near draw. Sarah caught fire though and was painting the edge lines with some beautiful returns to propel the Wagner’s to the Game 1 win, 11-5. Copy, Paste, repeat for Game 2 and the Wagners took the match 11-5.
Match 9: The Weisenburger’s vs the Zimmerman’s
Fresh from their growing, self-described funny farm, Curtis and Rose were next in line for Rob and Lisa. Despite the improvements seen by the Weisenburgers, Rob and Lisa were able to control the match throughout, winning both games 11-3 to notch another tally in the win column.
Match 10: The Donaldson’s vs Team Schmidt-kotter
Still reeling from a near David vs Goliath upset earlier in the evening, the Donaldson’s were looking to bounce back in a big way with Team Schmidt-kotter next on the agenda. Jess and Allison were still getting used to their teamwork as the powerful ladies tandem fell behind early. Sarah and Brian never looked back earning a straight game shutout 11-0, 11-0 to win the match.
Match 11: The Zimmerman’s vs The Van Ham’s
A rivalry match was on tap with Rob and Lisa looking to best Mark and Kelly in a battle of will. Like a heavyweight boxing match, each team took blow after blow the first two games with the Zimmerman’s winning Game 1, 11-6 and the Van Ham’s winning Game 2, 11-4 to set up the pivotal third game. Lisa must have complimented Rob prior to the third game starting as he came out on fire. No word yet on what was said, but the Zimmerman’s went wild in Game 3 to earn the victory 11-1 and take the match.
Match 12: Team Schmidt-kotter vs the Weisenburger’s
Allison and Jess returned to the court and just had that look of destiny from the moment their hands grasped their paddles. After shattering the glass ceiling as the first all female team in CPL history, Team Schmidt-kotter was now looking to become the only team with 4 chromosomes to win a match. Curtis and Rose were also looking to break through with their first league victory as well so history was going to be made. Right from the start, however, Jess and Allison controlled the pace and imposed their will on the Weisenburger’s with a steady dose of power and touch. There would not be an opportunity for comeback as the ladies were unrelenting and won the match in straight games 11-1, 11-4 and claim their spot in CPL history!
Match 13: The Schmidt’s vs The Donaldson’s
In the evening’s finale, another make-up game was on display with the Schmidt’s taking on the Donaldson’s. Pulling out the diversionary tricks of asking about an upcoming vacation in paradise, the Donaldson’s showcased all of their subliminal tricks to get another pickle on the day with an 11-0 win in Game 1. A second pickle was not in store for Game 2, but Brian and Sarah were still able to secure the win with an 11-1 triumph in the second game.
The Tournament of Champions is now just 3 weeks away with each match sharpening the skills and having major seeding implicaitons for each team. Tune in next week for another edition!