2004 Awards Ceremony!

Control Tower 11-30-04. With the 4th floor Briefing Room filled to capacity, the 2004 Tower Tournament Champion, and Runner-up were honored in a presentation acknowledging their accomplishments. In a speech given by SV, a brief recap of the summer tennis activities, and a summary of each recipients path to the Championship match was recited. DNR was then awarded a plaque engraved with his name, and accomplishment. DNR accepted the plaque, and spoke briefly. The Champion (JT) was similarly summarized, then the Tower Tournament Trophy was awarded to him with his name engraved as the first ever Tower Tournament Champion. JT accepted the trophy, acknowledged others, then described the difficulty of his matches. The ceremony concluded quickly thereafter, with everyone looking forward to next year's competition.

The following is the speech given by SV:

"I would like to thank everyone for coming to this awards ceremony. Thanks to management, for working with us to have this presentation, and thanks to everyone who contributed to the Tower Trophy fund. You made this ceremony possible with your generous donations.

When a group of us started playing tennis earlier in the year, it originally was for bragging rights. We wanted to talk trash, and rub our victories into our dispatched victims. Before long, several of us found it to be such good exercise, and such a load of fun, that we started playing every week. As the summer started to wane, the thought of a end of season competition started to emerge. I felt that not only would the formal nature of a tournament bring out the best effort of all involved, but would also spark interest in those who had not previously participated. Well that thought was correct! I had no idea how much interest would be generated, but I’m certainly pleased with the results.

One of those who had not previously participated came within a single match of winning the whole thing. DNR, we know him as Doug from AF. (Doug would you come up here please) DNR started out with a racquet with such a small head, I couldn’t believe he could win anything. It looked like something from a history-of-tennis encyclopedia. With it however, he managed to win his first match against NU 6-2, 6-0. But in the second round DNR went up against the machine we know as DR. DNR lost this match, and found himself in the loser bracket. From here, DNR had nothing but success, he went on to beat BY, LD, JR, DR in a rematch, and then finally myself in the semi-finals. In fact, he took me out fairly convincingly. It wasn’t until the finals until DNR lost again. Out numbered 11 to 1, DNR finishes second in the first annual Tower Tennis Tournament. Congratulations DNR, I’m proud to present you with this plaque engraved with your name, and accomplishment. You are the first Tower Tennis Tournament Runner-Up! CONGRATULATIONS!!!"

SV asked JT to to stand, then continued to say: "I don’t think Maverick ever gave serious contemplation that he would lose. Confident from beginning to end, JT had a first round bye, and then had to wait several weeks to play his first match against LD. The wait didn’t seem to hurt him; he won that first match 6-1, 6-1. In his third round match against DR he won once again in straight sets. In fact, JT never lost a set in the entire tournament. He went on to beat me 7-6, 7-5, then he waited until a victor from the loser bracket emerged to challenge him for the Championship. This victor, as we just discussed, was DNR.

The finals were hard fought, with Maverick finding himself down in the first set. But this did not last; and JT came from behind to take the first set 6-4. JT went on to win the second set 6-2, and with it the match, and the Championship.

You are the very first of what I hope to be many Tower Tennis Tournament Champions. I am pleased to present you with the trophy… Congratulations, you are the Champion!"

JT tops DNR to win Championship!

7-Flags 11-17-04 20:40 CST. The much anticipated championship match between DNR and JT, experienced a venue change due to wet court conditions at Harmon Park. This battle of epic proportions took place tonight at 7-Flags Fitness Center. Undefeated in the tournament, JT enjoyed a slight advantage as DNR had already been defeated once by DR. DNR was not deterred by this and put up a formidable fight. In the first set, it was all give and take. At first, neither player was able to break the other's serve. Tied 3-3, DNR managed to gain an advantage and break JT's serve, taking the lead 4-3. Undeterred JT responded in-kind breaking DNR's serve. JT holds his own, and goes on to win 6-4.

In the second set it was JT who quickly jumped to a 3-0 lead. JT's strategy of "Urgent Fury", which employed aggressive, fast-paced play, was taking it's toll. DNR took the next game however, making it 3-1. JT responded by taking the next game bringing the total to 4-1. Another game for DNR makes it 4-2. In the 7th game, JT's serve proved deadly with two aces and two powerful first serve winners. JT went on to win the second set 6-2, making him the first ever "Tower Tennis Tournament Champion". The match ended at 22:20 CST. Maverick remained undefeated throughout the entire tournament.

JJ, the only spectator for the championship match, remarked that he was truly impressed with the level of play. Indeed it was an exceptional match, with plenty of long, hard fought rallies and a fantastic display of skill by both players.

DNR Dominates the Semi-finals!

Harmon Park 11/16/04. SV's "Shock & Awe" strategy, which proved effective against JT earlier in the tournament, hit a brick wall in the semi-finals. DNR's excellent shot placement, coupled with SV's lack of mobility and unforced errors made the semi-finals look more like a first round trounce. Plagued by rain (making the court slippery) DNR breaks SV's serve, and quickly goes up 2-0. SV is barely able to squeeze out two games for himself, before DNR finishes him off. DNR easily takes the first set 6-2.

It looked like it might be a match at the beginning of the second set. SV starts out with back-to-back service aces, and goes on to win the first game. Each player holds serve for the first four games, but then SV chokes. With two double faults in the fifth game, DNR breaks SV's serve. DNR then holds his own serve, giving him a 4-2 advantage. DNR breaks SV's serve again, giving him a 5-2 lead. DNR finally shows brief weakness and double faults the first point of the last game. SV goes on to win the next two points, and suddenly DNR finds himself down "Love-40". However, even with a "Triple-break point" against him, DNR perseveres. DNR takes the next five points, and puts SV out of his misery. DNR wins the set, and the match: 6-2, 6-2. SV finishes 3rd, while DNR advances to the Finals against JT.

The finals will indeed be a struggle of epic proportions. Not only will the combatants be good consistent players with experience. But they will both be representing their divisions within the FAA. This is truly a battle for bragging rights of the tower. JT representing Air-Traffic, and DNR representing Airway-Facilities. Who will prevail? The finals will be Wednesday 11/17/04 at 3:00p.m. The field of battle will be Harmon Park. It you want to see good tennis, this is a match you don't want to miss!

DNR denies DR a repeat!

Harmon Park 11/13/04. When DR and DNR first met, it was a straight set victory for DR. A summer of intense competition (mostly against JT) had made DR a force to be reckoned with. DR's style of tennis concentrates on getting to every ball, and returning every shot. What this requires of an opponent is exact execution if one hopes to win. This combination proved deadly against DNR their first match earlier in the tournament.

With this defeat, DNR found himself deep in the loser bracket. DNR had a long way to climb, but climb-out he did indeed. With victories over NU, BY, LD, and JR prior to today's rematch, DNR has slowly been improving his game.

The opponent DR faced today, was not the same man he had been victorious over earlier. That old competitive spirit appears to have awakened in DNR! The first set DR found himself down 4-1. He battled back to tie at 4-all, but DNR was too much and took the set 6-4. In the second DNR found his serve, and with this big-gun firing bullets DR found himself on the defensive right away. Up 5-0 in the second, DNR was poised for a shut-out, but DR denied him and made it a match at 5-3. The next game went to DNR and with it the set, and the match. DNR wins in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. DR finishes 4th, while DNR advances to the semi-finals against SV.

DNR now finds himself positioned for a strike on the championship. And what a strike it could be with six matches under his belt. AF should be proud of their only entrant! Outnumbered eleven to one now only SV, and JT stand in his way...

DNR tops JR!

Harmon Park 11-09-04. With the last warm rays of the sun sinking slowly below the horizon. JR and DNR furiously attempt to complete their match before darkness denies one of them a victory. JR started out strong winning the the first set 6-2. He then took the first three games of the second into multiple deuces, but was only able to win three of the last fifteen points of the set. DNR took the second set 6-0. Tied at one set all, JR refused to suspend for darkness. This was a strategic mistake, for the final set was all DNR. DNR took all but four points in the first five games. Down 5-0 in the third set, JR's game elevates and leads 40-30. Suddenly, DNR takes the next three points ending JR's come-back. DNR wins the set and the match: 2-6, 6-0, 6-0.

DR takes set from JT!

Harmon Park 11-09-04. Facility tennis history was made today. Before today JT could not recall the last time he had lost a set in singles play...Well he can now! Although not an official tournament match, whenever JT and DR play it's for keeps! DR started out by breaking Maverick's serve, and then holding his own. Behind 2-0 JT was able to take the next two games evening the the set at 2 all. But that was the last game JT would see in his column. From that point on, it was all DR. DR was relentless in chasing down shots and returning them into play. Later in the match DR would take a major spill on the asphalt, but still wound up winning the point. Leading 5-2 DR served for the set, and quickly went up "Triple set point". JT successfully prevented a shut out, by winning the point, but succumbed the very next one. DR takes the only singles set JT ever recalls losing. JT goes on to win the next two sets fairly easily 6-1, 6-0, but for a moment the mighty had fallen.

Trophy Delivered!

Indianapolis, Indiana 11-04-04. SV accepts delivery of the Tournament Trophy from Castleton Trophy and gifts of Indianapolis. The trip from Indy was perilous, but the trophy survived. Currently on display in the TRACON, the trophy awaits a Champion to claim one of it's twelve plaques. The trophy is well worth the $120.00 cost. Donations to help with the expense are appreciated. Special thanks to JT, DR, and DH for their generous contributions!