What Does It Take?

by Tracy Gates

There are over 4,000 members of the MSRA. And 698 played on league teams this year. But only four of them won the prestigious Lehman and Fernandez awards for most improved player. As I happen to know three of them (full disclosure: as a league captain I can nominate, but I had nothing to do with choosing the winners), I have a pretty good idea what it takes—what it should take—to get this award. So listen up. Want to be in contention next year? This is what you have to do. . . .

Winning and Losing It

By Tracy Gates

During a round of drinks to celebrate our finals win against the Harvard Club, one of my teammates mused aloud that competing was perhaps too stressful to be worth doing. This was from the teammate who had played more challenge matches than anyone else AND won most of her matches during the season.  Another teammate nodded her head vigorously in agreement. What? We’d just won the finals in our division and they were already bailing on next season??

Pre-playoff update

The winter league season is coming to a close; playoffs and finals matches run through April, and the season closes with the annual League Party on April 29.

Here are some things to look out for in the upcoming playoff matches:

- Men's 3.0: Season-long rivals NYU and HRC may be heading for a finals showdown. This will be a particularly interesting match given the drama between the teams this year... and the fact that neither of these scrappy teams even has home courts.

2009-2010 League Preseason Rundown

Men's 3.0 - This is a totally new division this year so every team comes in with a clean slate. Several teams including Princeton and NYUhave players with 3.5 playing  experience. Look also for inexperienced but athletic Uptown to factor.

Men's 3.5   - The 3.5 division has long been the most competitive and even, but it is a changed landscape this year. The starters from last year's dominant West Side Y have either moved up to 4.0 or moved out of town, same for Princeton Black and HRC. With three of four starters returning, look for Eastern Athletic to improve on last year's first-round playoff loss.

Men's 4.0 - The Harmonie and Union League Clubs have long ruled the 4.0 division, but both have risen to 4.5 for the coming season. This year, West Side Y and the Princeton Club top the pre-season rankings