Northern Rollers Convincingly Blank Southwestern Ontario Brewers

Rollers Women Crush Brewers After Slow Start

No one would have guessed that a team with a 5-2 lead would eventually lose by nearly two touchdowns, but that is what happened to the Brewers women’s squad of Amanda Rosati and Victoria DiMuzio. They came out hot, and then fizzled against the Rollers Jessica Kawamoto and Casey Rodgers, by a score of 21-8.

Rodgers and Player of the Match Kawamoto couldn’t find their stride early, each making two unforced errors to hand the Brewers a 5-2 cushion. All we can say is it was all Rollers after that. In quick time, it was Rosati and DiMuzio’s turn to smack Dura balls side out or into the Selkirk net, resulting in a timeout with the Rollers ahead 9-6.

The energetic Kawamoto then pressed the issue, capably backed up by Rodgers, swatting two forehand crosses for points, which the Brewers could not even get close to. After DiMuzio hit one long on serve return to up the score to 16-8 Rollers, Rodgers turned in two superb winning shots in the final five volleys to close it out.

Rollers Win Tight Slugfest in Men’s Contest

The Eastern Split saw many close, hard-fought games. This one, between the Rollers Matt Stodola and Ryan Torresin and the Brewers Kyle Hermetz and Mikael Gaumond was a nitty gritty pitched battle. In the end and after four holds, the Rollers finally won 21-20.

On the Rollers side early, both Stodola and Torresin took turns blasting shots for winners, interspersed with unforced errors that allowed the Brewers to pick up easy points. With the Rollers up 5-4 the Brewers dinked their way to a point and then went ahead on a great Hermetz set up. The lead switched hands a few times, until the Rollers turned up the heat with great defense and a smoking Stodola overhand made it 16-13 Rollers, forcing a timeout.

The Rollers added two to their lead and the Brewers looked done. However, they would play outstanding defense and hit tricky shots enough to tighten the score to 18-16 Rollers. The Rollers charged back, though, scoring two to get to freeze and another timeout. The Brewers didn’t lay down, clawing back to tie it at 20-20 and then for four holds they duked it out, until wily Stodola set the Brewers up to hit one long.

Rollers Mixed Doubles Run Away with Game, Win Match

Despite a bit of a late comeback, the Brewers Kyle Hermetz and Victoria DiMuzio were overmatched in this one by Rollers Player of the Match Jessica Kawamoto and Ryan Torresin. The dynamic Rollers duo owned the kitchen and beat the Rollers handily, 21-13 and in the process cementing the match.

The Brewers knew they had to be in a bit of trouble when Kawamoto stroked an ATP to put the Rollers ahead 2-0. A bit later, both DiMuzio and Hermetz whiffed on a return to go down 7-2, forcing a timeout. After a brief respite, Hermetz did blast a forehand for a point to give his team life, but Torresin answered back with a blistering cross of his own. The real damage for the Brewers came in the form of unforced errors, coupled with the dinking display and well-timed speed-ups by the Rollers.

As stated above, the Brewers did mount a bit of a comeback, aided by a few Rollers gaffes, however it was short-lived. With the score 19-13, Kawamoto set up DiMuzio for a net return, followed by a massive Torresin overhand to put away the Brewers.

Rollers Complete Sweep in Epic Game with Brewers

Not to state the obvious, but with the match decided, this was a “nothing” game. Just don’t tell that to the combatants, who staged what was likely the game of the Eastern Split. The Rollers Casey Rodgers and Matt Stodola had to fight tooth and nail to get by the Brewers Mikael Gaumond and Amanda Rosati, 21-20. Just to put a fine point on this colossal tilt, there were eight holds at 20-20 freeze.

Rosati and Gaumond came out like a team determined to salvage a bit of pride for the Brewers and they, along with Stodola and Rodgers, put on a Pickleball master class. For much of the early going, the two teams contested the kitchen, played superb transitionally and made tremendous shots for winners. Yes, there were a few unforced errors from both sides, but the quality of play was evident.

It was apt, then, that this hotly contested tilt came down to a 20-20 freeze, neither team giving the other quarter. And hold after hold, neither team refused to wilt, until after eight holds, Stodola hit a low unreturnable serve for the victory.

Montreal Lions Complete Great Split with Narrow Victory over East Toronto Smash

Smash Women Break Open Tight Contest to Breeze to Win

Coming off a tough five-game loss to the Pronghorns, the Smash turned to veterans Christina Chin and Kim Layton to get the Dura ball rolling against tough Lions rookies Anne-Sophie Courteau and Jade Cassandra Laporte. The two teams evenly split the first 22 points, with the Lions leading at a couple of points, before the Smash took over and cruised to a win.

Layton, who was well supported by Chin’s defensive play, was a factor in six of the Smash’s first 11 points, while Laporte and Courteau each chipped in three winning shots. After Courteau stroked a nice cross for a winner to tie it 12-12, Layton and Chin went to work, putting the Lions on their heels at every turn, outscoring the Lions 9-1 to secure a big victory for their 4-4 team.

Lions Whip Smash in Men’s Game

At least this one was close for about 10 volleys. Again, on paper too, this tilt between the Smash with Dalbir Bhandal and the fiery Nathan Choi and the Montreal Lions Ernesto Fajardo and Louis-Charles Amyot looked to be entertaining. However, the Lions broke open a 5-5 draw, with Player of the Match Fajardo setting up two points and Amyot firing a forehand for another as Montreal went up three and never looked back on the way to a 21-13 victory.

The normally energetic Choi was not quite his usual self, though he did make some great shots for points, and Bhandal, who according to announcers was battling a mystery back ailment, was a bit off too. But even though they weren’t 100 percent, Fajardo and Amyot still had to play staunch defense, which they did admirably on a rally that put them up 17-9. After that, the outcome was nearly a foregone conclusion.

Lions Break Open Close Mixed Match to Beat Smash 21-11

Normally, the Smash duo of Nathan Choi and Christina Chin would have a great chance to beat Montreal rookies Ernesto Fajardo and Anne-Sophie Courteau. Except, someone forgot to tell the Lions greenhorns there were supposed to capitulate. Player of the Match Fajardo, well backed up by defensively sound Courteau, put his stamp on this one, responsible for scoring 11 of his team’s 21 points.

It was very close early on, with both squads trading the lead until Montreal’s outstanding defensive play tied it up at 9-9. After that, it was pretty much the “Fajardo Show” with the rookie blasting unreturnable overhand, backhand and forehand shots, leaving the Smash looking a little bewildered. Courteau, who again was a perfect foil for Fajardo, got into the action at 20-11 freeze, crushing a superb cross down the line for the winner.

Smash Scramble to Even Match with Comeback Win

The Lions mixed pair of Louis-Charles Amyot and Jade Cassandra Laporte had the opportunity to put away the Smash’s Dalbir Bhandal and Kim Layton and win the game and match. Then the “TSN Turning Point” happened. With the Lions in control 16-13, Layton fired an inadvertent Erne that hit Amyot square in the face for a point. After many apologies, the Smash went to work on a comeback, outscoring the Lions 7-1 to send it to a singles tiebreaker.

The two squads fought hard through the early going, with the lead exchanging hands a few times. Amyot was a powerhouse, ripping a few winners, including an Erne that plunked Bhandal. The Smash were up to the task, with both Bhandal and Layton playing great defense and firing winners until the score was 13-13. Some unforced errors allowed the Lions to forge ahead, but the Layton Erne was Amyot and the Lions ultimate undoing.

Lions Overwhelm Smash to Break Open Singles Tiebreaker, Win Match

As the last match to complete at the Eastern Split, the Smash and Lions put on a show, but the Lions had a little more “oomph” and downed the Smash 21-13 to finish an admirable 6-3 won-lost. Player of the Match Ernesto Fajardo got things going, taking two of three from Nathan Choi. Overall, Fajardo won his mini sets against Choi 6-3, making five superb shots that Choi couldn’t return.

Elsewhere, Louis-Charles Amyot played it cagey against veteran Kim Layton, taking eight of nine with a dazzling array of shots. Jade Cassandra Laporte just got the better of Dalbir “the Beast” Bhandal, 5-4, as she set him up for a few unforced errors. Last, but certainly not least, Christina Chin did beat Anne-Sophie Courteau 5-2, however, it was Courteau who smashed a sizzling cross at 20-13 freeze to win it.

Prairie Pronghorns Outlast East Toronto Smash in Five-Game Sizzler

Smash Women Claw Back to Trim Pronghorns

On paper, this match-up looked to be dead even. With the Smash’s Christina Chin and Kim Layton doing battle with the Pronghorns Emma Li and Kim Brent, it nearly was. The Smash were a little uneven to start, but kept pecking away to beat their counterparts late, 21-19.

Li and Brent were tough in the early stages, forcing the Smash to make unforced errors and take a 5-2 lead. The Smash, while they were disjointed, hung around enough in subsequent rallies to get within two at 11-9 Pronghorns. The Pronghorns stepped it up, dinking and making so great shots to go up 14-11, but again, the Smash didn’t wilt, rallying to tie it 15-15.

The Pronghorns again went ahead and looked to be in command at 19-18, however, the Smash rallied to tie it. A wicked cross from Chin’s paddle got it to freeze and Layton won it with some outstanding defensive play and a Pronghorns side out.

Pronghorns Men Hang on to Beat Smash in Key Game

There was a little bit of fire in this match, and the ones to add kerosene were Nathan Choi of the Smash and soon-to-be Player of the Match Brad Chapman of the Pronghorns. Chapman and rookie partner Michael McCaffrey got the better of Choi and Dalbir “Beast” Bhandal, 21-18 to tie up the match.

As with many matches in this Split, it was very close in the beginning with both teams taking leads and giving them away. It was 11-9 Pronghorns at one point when Chapman put his stamp on the game, firing three ridiculous shots in a row to go up 15-9.

To their credit, the Smash didn’t fold, utilizing good defense and shot making to tie it 17-17. The Pronghorns didn’t yield to the pressure, though, winning this thriller with outstanding rallying and more blasts off Chapman’s paddle.

Pronghorns Win Low Key Mixed Doubles Game to Forge Ahead

For two mixed doubles teams with fiery players like Nathan Choi of the Smash and Brad Chapman of the Pronghorns, this one kind of felt matter of fact. Yet, the Pronghorns Chapman and Kim Brent needed every shot to down Choi and Christina Chin 21-20.

This key contest was as much dominated by great shots off all players paddles as unforced errors. There weren’t a lot of extended volleys and the lead changed hands too many times to count. Chapman, for his part, accounted for seven of his team’s points, capably back up by Brent, who set up the Smash for failure with good dinking and defense.

Choi and Chin were great at times, too, getting the better of the Pronghorns in the Kitchen, but were not as consistent playing off each other when they had opportunity to score. With the score at 20-20 freeze, Chapman broke serve with a forehand and Brent set up Choi for a side out to win it.

Smash Force Singles Tiebreaker with Amazing Effort

Down 2-1 in this match and looking to extend it, the Smash duo of Dalbir Bhandal and Kim Layton had a tall task to take down the athletic Michael McCaffrey and wily partner Emma Li. The Smash didn’t disappoint, rallying back from being down early to emerge triumphant 21-18 and send it to tiebreaker.

All players got in on the action from the first volley, with rookie McCaffrey showing off his skills to push the Pronghorns into an 11-9 lead. Then the “TSN turning point” happened. Layton and Bhandal put on a defensive clinic, getting to Dura balls they had no business getting to, abetted by a McCaffrey foot fault for a key point. From there, it was pretty much all Smash, as they took the lead and extended it, winning on a sweet Bhandal drop shot.

Pronghorns Best Smash in Singles Tiebreaker for Match Win

It was fitting, perhaps, that the Pronghorns needed singles tiebreaker to beat the Smash and thus even both team’s records to 4-4. Brad Chapman, Player of the Match, got things on track by winning the first three points against the Smash’s Kim Layton and the Pronghorns never trailed in this one. Chapman took 9 of 10 points from Layton, including the winner on a nice backhand for a 21-16 Pronghorns victory.

In the other mini sets, Michael McCaffrey beat Nathan Choi 5-4, one of his points coming on an astounding ATP. The Smash’s Dalbir Bhandal did his part to try and win this, beating the Pronghorns Kim Brent 7-2, while the Pronghorns Emma Li got the better of the Smash’s Christina Chin, 5-4.

Northern Rollers Cruise to Victory over Vancouver Rush

Rollers Win Handily Against Rush in Women’s Game

Already having a tough Eastern Split, the Vancouver Rush (who would finish 1-8) had to tangle with the Rollers, who would top the table at 7-2. Given the daunting task of taking down Rollers pair Jessica Kawamoto and Casey Rodgers in the first contest were Jordann Vigna and Hailey Almusa. They never stood a chance, losing 21-11.

Vigna did give the Rush the briefest of leads, dropping a nice lob and drilling a backhand for winners to put her team up 3-2. Kawamoto, the Player of the Match, and Rodgers then took over, with the former accounting for four of her teams next eight points, forcing the Rush to take a timeout down 10-5. Almusa and Vigna did show signs of making it a close one, keeping the Rollers in check enough to trail just 14-9 at one point.

That was all they could muster, however, with the Rollers countering almost every Rush return with an even better one and forcing a slew of Rush unforced errors, moving the score to 20-11 freeze. The amped up Kawamoto then ended proceedings with a massive forehand.

Rush Fall to Rollers in Interesting Men’s Game

There was something for everyone in this key match-up. The Rollers grizzled vet Corey Osborne and rookie partner Ryan Torresin squared off with Vancouver’s Brett Forsythe and Joe Willemsen in a game where all manner of shots were made. Most, fortunately for the Rollers, went their way in a key 21-18 triumph.

Torresin and Osborne both showed off extensive Pickle ball skills from the start, scoring three points each, while Forsythe shot back for three of his own to put the score at 9-5 Rollers and a needed timeout. The Rush, rested, came back with a flurry, tying it up 10-10 and then going ahead 12-11 in a spirited rally. Unfazed, Osborne and Torresin responded with outstanding winning shots, including an ATP from Torresin and a near ATP that just missed.

The two teams dinked and defended well for a few volleys; however, the Rollers again got the upper hand and forced a second Rush timeout with the score 19-16 in their favor. After the break, the Rollers coughed up two points to make things interesting, but Osborne set up the Rush for a mistake and a 20-18 freeze, followed by a sizzling Torresin backhand for the win.

Rush Push Back in Mixed Game to Stay Alive

Typically, a key turning point, or important game indicator, happens well into a CNPL game. In this one, taken by the Rush’s Brett Forsythe and Jordann Vigna 21-13, the turning point happened right away. While there were a lot of great winning shots made, this was an error-filled contest that started with the Rollers Casey Rodgers sending the first serve side out, followed two points later by a Corey Osborne serve that found the Selkirk net. And on it went.

The highlight of the first half of the game was an ATP that Vigna sent down the line to put the Rush in front 4-2, and up to the point the Rush led 10-8 virtually every scoring point was due to an unforced error. Another indicator that this wasn’t the Rollers finest hour was a total miscommunication between Rodgers and Osborne that resulted in a 15-10 Rush lead. The Rush, giving no quarter, took over the kitchen in the latter stages, with Vigna and Forsythe sending set up shots the Rollers weren’t ready for. The game ended, unremarkably, with another Rollers unforced error.

Rollers Stomp Rush to Win Match

The way this pivotal contest went, it is likely the Rush’s Joe Willemsen and Hailey Almusa would want it forgotten as soon as possible. Unfortunately, their complete domination by the Rollers Jessica Kawamoto and Ryan Torresin, by a score of 21-5, was captured for posterity on film. This was the most lopsided victory at the Eastern Split and another match win for the Rollers.

Hailey Almusa, a rookie, seemed very timid at the start and it continued throughout, as she made five unforced errors and was plunked by a Torresin Erne as the Rollers took a 9-2 lead. Kawamoto, the Player of the Match, added to the Rush woes, playing outstanding defense and stroking a couple of winners. With the score 10-3, the Rollers reeled off five straight points on Rush errors and a bit later Torresin ripped an overhand winner to push the score to 18-4. Mercifully, this game and the match concluded with two Rush unforced errors.

Toronto United Trip Up Hot West Coast Wolverines for Match Win

United Wins Big over Wolverines in Women’s Contest

The Wolverines were on a roll, having won two matches in a row to even their Eastern Split mark to 4-4 and heading into this showdown with the defending champs, who limped in with a 2-5 record. But they were the defending champs for a reason and the first game was an indication they would be tough to beat.

Veteran Carolina Hack drew in after a one-game absence, paired with impressive rookie Joanna Phang. The duo outplayed and outhustled their opposition, Natalie Araya and Sabrina Lam for much of this 21-13 triumph. Hack, who would be Player of the Match for a third time in the Eastern Split, got things going quickly with Phang and they rallied, dinked and shot their way to an early 13-4 lead.

The Wolverines couldn’t staunch the bleeding and were forced to call a timeout down 18-8. The Wolverines did mount a short-lived comeback, rallying in the face of extreme pressure from United, getting to within six at 18-12. It was not to be, however, with Hack and Phang delivering the fatal blows.

Wolverines Win Despite Nearly Blowing Big Lead in Men’s Game

We aren’t going to gild the lily here; in that we have never seen United’s Mark Gottfried and Matt Kawamoto play so awfully – at least early in this one. However, they did attempt a comeback, which just fell short in a 21-19 loss to the Wolverines Haddow Thul and Jonas Dahler.

Thul and Dahler didn’t need to be good in what was a sluggish start. Over the course of many short volleys, United made six unforced errors, including back-to-back long returns of serve, forcing a much-needed timeout down 8-3. United didn’t come back out guns blazing, but it wouldn’t be long before they started playing.

In a short time, United rifled some tremendous shots to trim the lead to 11-9 (after being down 11-4), though Dahler and Thul didn’t completely fold, maintaining at least a two-point lead. The last part of this game saw what was probably the greatest rally of the Eastern Split. The two teams fought hard in the kitchen for what seemed like an eternity, with United winning the point to trail 18-15. They did make it interesting the rest of the way, but ultimately allowed the Wolverines to tie the match.

United Hold Off Wolverines for Key Mixed Doubles Victory

Just like the men’s game before this one, one team got off to a sluggish start, only this time it was the Wolverines duo of Jonas Dahler and Natalie Araya. Before any fans even had a chance to settle into their seats, United’s Mark Gottfried and Carolina Hack were ahead 9-1, thoroughly dominating Dahler and Araya on the way to a 21-15 win.

To their credit, Dahler and Araya didn’t shrink into the background, answering United’s blistering play with some of their own, both participants contributing to a comeback that had them trailing just 12-10 mid-game. That seemed to wake up United, with Gottfried and Hack making some unreturnable shots for points to up the margin to 16-11.

The Wolverines wouldn’t go away, though, and after Gottfried made an unforced error to put the score at 17-14, United took a timeout. The rest was needed and after, Gottfried and Hack played well off each other, defensively and offensively, to finally win it and give their team the match advantage.

 United Triumphs over Wolverines in Exciting Contest

If there is a Kawamoto involved, a Canadian National Pickleball League game is at the very minimum going to be entertaining. With his mother leading the cheering section, Kawamoto and dynamic partner Joanna Phang led wire-to-wire over Wolverines Haddow Thul and Sabrina Lam on the way to a match-clinching 21-15 win.

This hotly contested game began unlike a couple of others in this match, as neither team looked sluggish nor played sloppy. All participants contributed to key shots, dinking and defense in the early stages, with United taking an 8-4 lead after some great defense by Phang and smoking shots from Kawamoto. The two squads then traded points before the Wolverines took a timeout trailing 10-6.

As hard as they played, Thul and Lam were pressed almost every volley, eventually allowing Phang and Kawamoto work their magic to take advantage of Wolverines errors and up the count to 15-8. Thul and Lam did their level best just to stave off the inevitable, with United getting to 20-11 freeze after three straight Kawamoto bombs for winners. The Wolverines did fight back to shrink the lead to 20-15 but had no answer as United transitioned well and won it.

East Toronto Smash Come Back to Win Tiebreaker Thriller over Vancouver Rush

Smash Beat Rush Handily in Women’s Game

It’s not to say that the Rush duo of Jordann Vigna and Hailey Almusa of the struggling 1-5 Rush didn’t put up much of a fight in this one, but the East Toronto Smash pair of Christina Chin and Kim Layton were less error prone. The Smash led wire-to-wire in this first contest, taking the game to the Rush, especially Almusa, who was a second-day emergency call-up and couldn’t quite find her game.

Chin was effective in the early going, smacking two winners, while Vigna also got in on the action with a wicked overhand and set up shot for a point. The Smash were up 10-4 when the Rush made a bit of a run to close the gap to 11-7. That was short-lived, with eventual Player of the Match Layton smoking a cross to make it 15-8 and later adding another for a freeze at 20-12. Chin then set up Almusa later for a net return and a 21-14 Smash triumph.

Rush Men Even Up Match with Huge Victory over Smash

Just looking at the fiery – and some big – competitors set to tangle in this one, it had to be good. And it was, with amped up Joe Willemsen and Brett Forsythe of the Rush taking down Smash giants Nathan Choi and Dalbir Bhandal by a count of 21-18. Needing a win, the Rush deployed some wicked shots early to go up 5-2, but the Smash rallied and clawed back to tie it 7-7.

Willemsen and Forsythe enjoyed the upper hand midway through, bot contributing nasty shots, while Choi and Bhandal didn’t back down, eventually tying things up at 16-16 after trailing for an extended period. Unfortunately for the Smash, the unforced errors played a role in the late going, while Willemsen and Forsythe each pounded shots for winners, squaring the match.

Rush Do Number on Smash in Mixed Doubles

Kudos must go to the Rush’s Brett Forsythe and Jordann Vigna for this complete win that gave the Rush a stranglehold on the match. The duo overwhelmed a very good Smash side of Nathan Choi and Christina Chin, 21-12. It was reasonably close early, but Choi didn’t do himself any favors when he was called for a push off and stared down the referee. Things didn’t go well from there, with Vigna and Forsythe switching smoothly from offense to defense and getting the lead up 15-8.

A couple of rallies later, a fired-up Chin smashed a backhand winner to make the score 16-10 and then did a finger wag to say, “we’re not done yet.” However, that bravado was misplaced, as the Rush stood fast, playing outstanding Pickleball. Vigna secured the big win with a sweet set up shot that Chin fired into the net.

Smash Send Match to Tiebreaker with Impressive Victory

With their team’s hopes of victory resting on their shoulders, Dalbir Bhandal and Player of the Match Kim Layton were full value. They dominated the kitchen and sent many an unreturnable Dura ball at the Rush pair of Hailey Almusa and Joe Willemsen. After briefly trailing early, the Smash went on a tear and sent the match to singles tiebreaker with a 21-14 win.

Almusa found her game in this one, scoring a couple of winners early and not making as many unforced errors. Willemsen was decent too, contributing well to a 5-5 draw. Yet, Layton and Bhandal took over proceedings, with three straight set ups of Layton’s paddle and some Bhandal defense and big strokes leading to a 17-10 lead. To their credit, Almusa and Willemsen didn’t concede, tacking up four to keep it close, but in the end the Smash’s defense and shot making was too much.

Smash Rally to Win Singles Tiebreaker and Match

She may not want it, but there must be some pity for Rush emergency call-up Hailey Almusa. Up against the veteran Christina Chin, she went 0-for-9 in this singles tiebreaker, which went a long way to contributing to the Smash’s come-from-behind victory. Interestingly, Almusa’s fiancé, Joe Willemsen took 7 of 9 from Player of the Match Kim Layton to make it interesting.

Otherwise, Nathan Choi got the better of Brett Forsythe, 5-4, as both Titans made some brilliant shots in their three mini sets. Dalbir Bhandal was also good in this pivotal game, taking six of nine against a game Jordann Vigna. As far as the Chin-Almusa mini sets went, it was telling that Almusa was called for a foot foul and was just a bit less consistent with her offensive to defensive transition against Chin.

Montreal Lions Sweep Vancouver Rush for Fourth Match Victory

Lions Dominate Rush in Women’s Opener

The score was a bit lopsided, 21-12 in favor of the Lions, but emergency fill-in Hailey Almusa acquitted herself quite well. Filling in for Sophia Racine, Almusa made some nice shots but was also targeted for unforced errors by eventual Player of the Match Jade Cassandra Laporte and Anne-Sophie Courteau.

The Lions burst out the gate and were ahead quickly 5-2 against Almusa and Jordann Vigna. A few plays later Almusa smacked an excellent cross to get the score to 8-6 Lions, only to have Laporte answer with a booming overhand and a nice set up shot that eluded the Rush. The Rush were down 11-7 when both Vigna and Almusa rallied hard to score.

After that, however, the Rush couldn’t mount much of an offense, as Courteau made her presence known with two set-up shots that neither Vigna or Almusa could handle. Laporte later set up Almusa for a return into the Selkirk net and the Rush had to take a timeout down 16-10. Courteau would account for the next two points and Laporte finished off the Rush with two great forehands and a well-placed lob.

Lions Men Fight Back to Trim Rush

As formidable a duo as the Rush’s Brett Forsythe and Joe Willemsen are, they couldn’t seal the deal against CNPL rookies Ernesto Fajardo and Louis-Charles-Amyot of the Lions. The Lions played some outstanding Pickleball, coming back from being behind by three late to win 21-19.

In the early stages the two squads rallied to an 8-8 draw, as Amyot accounted for three key points and Willemsen countered for four of his own. After that, unforced errors reared their ugly head, including a head-scratching miss by both Willemsen and Forsythe to make the score11-10 Rush. A little later, Amyot was assessed a foot foul and Forsythe found net, with the Rush taking a timeout up 13-12.

The Rush upped the lead to 15-12 and then the Lions stormed back to tie, with Fajardo getting lucky on a net cord shot and then the Lions benefited from a Forsythe error to tie it. Willemsen and Amyot each scored great crossing winners, but then Willemsen made back-to-back unforced errors and Fajardo gave his team a 19-16 cushion with a backhand blast. The Rush answered back with three to tie it but lost when Amyot Erne knocked Willemsen’s hat off with an Erne.

Lions Mixed Doubles Claim Match with Complete Triumph over Rush

Coming into this match, the Lions at 3-2 were looking to get near the top of the table, while the 1-4 Rush were desperate to find their mojo going into the final matches of the Eastern Split. The Lions pair of Ernesto Fajardo and Anne-Sophie Courteau extended the Rush misery, beating the Rush’s Brett Forsythe and Jordann Vigna 21-14.

Vigna had just launched an overhand to tie it 3-3 before the Lions took over, as Fajardo was huge with shots and set-ups for unforced errors. However, with the Lions ahead 7-4, Vigna and Forsythe went on the attack to tie it. That would be as close as they would get, with the Lions rallying to score three straight and take an 11-8 lead. The high point for the Rush in a three-score sequence were two beautiful Vigna ATPs to put it at 12-10.

Fajardo and Courteau, unfazed, went on a mini run too, as the former struck a great forehand, followed by a lob to two and Courteau set up Vigna for a return into the net to go ahead 16-11. Forsythe did his level best with three blasts for points, only to have the Lions win it with superb defensive play.

Lions Rout Rush in Mixed Doubles to Complete Match Sweep

In just her first match of the Eastern Split, it had to be daunting for emergency call-up Hailey Almusa, considering her team had lost the match and it was just her second game. The Lions pair of Louis-Charles Amyot and Jade Cassandra Laporte, smelling blood in the water, ensure Almusa was busy being targeted. And it worked, as the Lions finished the whitewash with a convincing 21-9 win.

From the start, Almusa and partner Joe Willemsen could not get anything going. Amyot, who we believe was Player of the Game, and Laporte, who was Player of the Match, victimized Almusa with many directed shots for unforced errors, building commanding 9-1 lead and a Rush timeout. Before long, it was 15-5 and the Rush were forced into another timeout.

The Lions didn’t let up after the rest, both players making huge shots, while Almusa redeemed herself with a couple of set ups for points. In the end, though, a solid match victory for the Lions.