Recap

Rollers Clip Smash in Stunning Match Comeback

Smash Gut Out Nice Win over Rollers in Women’s Doubles

On the hunt finish the Western Split on a winning note, the East Toronto Smash got rolling with an impressive victory in women’s doubles. Leigh Bradwell and Jordann Vigna outdueled the formidable Northern Rollers team of Emma Li and Jessica Kawamoto, 15-13.

The two squads duked it out in the first half, with plenty of great shots, interspersed with unforced errors, leading to a 6-6 draw. Yet, the Smash were able to capitalize on two straight Rollers’ shots into the Selkirk net and then a long return by Kawamoto, forcing a timeout with the Smash ahead 9-6.

After that, every time Li and Kawamoto got close on good defense and dinking, the Smash would counter with magical shots of their own, including a Vigna crossing lob to make the score 12-9 Smash. Soon enough, the Smash were up at freeze 14-10, and after several holds were able to secure the victory on a Vigna drop shot.

Smash Dominate Rollers to Take Command of Match

This men’s doubles game was characterized by unforced errors as much as inspired play. The Smash pair of Connor Weeks and Chris Alain had to do just enough to whip the Rollers Rob Krizmanich and Jonas Dahler, by a count of 15-9. Krizmanich was dynamic in the early stages, firing a wicked cross and a flick to keep the score tight at 4-3 Smash.

But, dinking and a Weeks backhand cross, combined with back-to-back Rollers’ unforced errors saw the score move to 7-3. The Rollers didn’t capitulate, though, with Dahler and Krizmanich both contributing unreturnable shots to get within one at 8-7 Smash.

That would be all she wrote for the Rollers, who made successive and costly unforced errors, along with being flummoxed by sneaky set up shots by Weeks and Alain in the loss.

Rollers Back in Match with Superb Effort in Mixed Doubles

Down 2-0 in the match and playing like they had nothing to lose, the Rollers’ team of Jessica Kawamoto and Jonas Dahler scored a big ‘W’ against the Smash’s Leigh Bradwell and Chris Alain. Like the previous contests, the two teams fought their way to an early 3-3 draw, when Kawamoto, the Player of the Match, and Dahler went on a mini run to take a 6-3 lead.

Bradwell and Alain did compete gamely, however, were forced to take a timeout after and Dahler backhand bomb that made it 9-5 Rollers. The Smash did make it as close as 11-9, but Kawamoto’s play, with a big assist to Dahler, was too much to handle, leading to a freeze at 14-10. Alain would get a point on a nice set-up, but Dahler iced it with a forehand rip down the middle for a 15-11 win.

Rollers Force Tiebreaker in Hotly Contested Mixed Doubles Victory

Another game, another do-or-die for the Rollers, who came into this Western Split Match with a 1-4 record (1-11 overall). This time, Rob Krizmanich and Emma Li warded off the best that the Smash’s Jordann Vigna and Connor Weeks could throw their way in a 15-12 triumph.

The Rollers jumped out to a 4-1 lead, thanks to two great shots off the hop by Krizmanich, followed a little later by a Li forehand winner. The Smash fought back valiantly, utilizing great defense and timely shooting to tie it up 6-6.

The teams would trade four points apiece to again see a tie at 10-10, the coup de grace being a vicious Vigna flick that caught Krizmanich square. Krizmanich and Li took over from there, dominating with dinking and booming shots, with Krizmanich paying Vigna back with an Erne to win it.

Rollers Finish Improbable Comeback with Solid Singles Tiebreaker Win

Coming off their first win in either the Western or Eastern Splits, the Rollers faced defeat squarely in the eye in this match, then went out and made one of 2023’s greatest match comebacks. The Rollers Dahler, our pick for player of the game, grabbed three quick points on Alain, including two brilliant crossing shots. Krizmanich and Li followed up with 2-1 pod wins over Weeks and Vigna, respectively, while Kawamoto was 1-2 against Bradwell to make the score 8-4.

Dahler nearly swept Alain again but hit one long to make the score 10-5 Rollers. Krizmanich kept Weeks on his heels long enough to also take two of three and Kawamoto grabbed a key point against a very good Bradwell to move the count to 13-8 Rollers. Li was a dynamo in the final pod, ripping back-to-back overhand and backhand winners against Vigna to seal the huge win.