Hardy Gals

Even after the first snow of the winter, the gals at HEB continue to play tennis - albeit wearing warmer clothes. It is not unusual to have temperatures in the 50's in Colorado, and, at such times, the ladies can be seen sweeping the snow from the courts to allow the sun to dry them off.
Left to right: Louise, Liz, Jan and Gail.

Snowbirds

Jan and Liz invited Sosanna to a farewell dinner just before she left for India to visit family over the Christmas holidays. Many of our tennis members at HEB fly away to a warmer climate to escape the winter months here in Colorado, but Sosanna had a particularly long journey.We wish her a wonderful visit with her mother and extended family members.

Our Christmas Tree

Lots of fun was had by Nancy, Liz and Jan erecting our Christmas tree this year. Gone are the old tennis balls that were used (and decorated) by our tennis players. Now we proudly sport (no pun intended) new decorations, all with the tennis theme. We won't win any prizes...but we did enjoy ourselves.

Carol and Gigi

We can see how much fun Carol and Gigi were having at the HEB 3.0 party this week.

Celebrating Victory at Districts

What a fun evening! The two 3.5 HEB teams hosted a celebratory supper for Captain Carrie and her 3.0 Super Senior team who represented our club at Districts...and won! They are now off to Las Vegas in March to take us to the next level. We are very proud of our team, and raised a glass of cheer to them all on Monday night. 

Thursday Tennis at HEB

Yesterday was a fabulous day for tennis. The temperature was perfect, almost little wind, and good company. The men and women filled three courts - let's hope this weather holds out for weeks to come.

What a Group!

Photo courtesy: Hank S.

Not all, but most of the 3.5 ladies got together for a fabulous lunch given by Shari S. this past week. Everyone enjoyed the luncheon so very much, and we all thank Shari for her thoughtfulness and hard work.

District Championships at Pinehurst Country Club

Organizers, Jason and Taylor, did a magnificent job of the District Championships last week. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, competition was fierce...but what a wonderful day. Congrats to Jason and Taylor for keeping everyone on track, and on time. Thanks also to the umpires who constantly walked around the courts advising on play, and correcting some calls. We thank you all - from the ladies and men of HEB tennis.

Collecting the Prize!

After the win by our 3.0 Super Seniors this past week, Captain Carrie S. collected the prizes from Taylor, CTA representative. The ladies received a very nice key chain for participating in the event, but a wonderful bag for actually winning the District Championships. Yeah to our team!

The HEB 3.5 Men's Team at Districts

Photo Courtesy: Jan R.

Back Row: (Left to right) Tom Quinn, Dick Ebdon, Jerry Wagner, Don Rankin, Bill Brown
Front Row: (Left to right) Ron Stark, Rick Parks, Dick Newman
Not Pictured: Braden Wesley, John Posluszny

Despite illnesses, injuries and absentees, our men won some matches and lost others at the Districts last week at the Pinehurst Country Club. They put forward a valiant effort, and we were so proud of them.

Las Vegas - HERE WE COME!

Left to right: Violet; Janice; Gigi; Carrie (Captain); Donna; Penny; Lynn; Marlene

Day three at the District tournament was no less exciting than the previous days. The HEB spectators literally ran from court to court (the matches were spread out) as we tried to keep score, watch and cheer our teams on. They all played wonderfully well, and made us all proud.

See following comments from Carrie, their captain.

We won with a 3-0 record, 2nd place LEBTC (Highlands Ranch) with a 2-1 record, 3rd place TAG Red (GREELEY) with a 1-2 record and 4th place TAG BLUE (GREELEY) with a 0-3 record. We only lost 1 individual match, 5 sets and 70 games in 3 days and nine matches!! WOW!!! So,what a great 3 days of tennis.We move on to the Intermountain Sectional in Las Vegas in March 2011!!  I'm so proud of all our team and grateful for all the HEB people who came and supported us! We went back to the clubhouse and celebrated on the patio with drinks and appetizers!!

Districts - Second Day

A note from Captain Carrie ~ Dear team members and friends, What an exciting day at the District championships!!We won all 3 matches against LEBTC (Highlands Ranch!) #1 Doubles Lynne and Marlene won 6-2,7-6. #2 Doubles Donna and Penny gave us all a thrilling match to watch,winning 6-4, losing the 2nd set 6-7 then winning the match clincing tiebreaker 10-8!!! And last but least, was my #3 Doubles, Violet and Janice won 6-1,6-3!! Yeah to everyone!

Districts - First Day

Photos: Top (left to right) Gigi, Violet, Carrie and Janice; Middle: Donna and Penny; Bottom: Lynne and Marlene.

Yesterday was the first day of Districts, and our 3.0 Super Senior Teams represented HEB. Following is a quick summary from Captain Carrie.

We won 3-0 over Greeley Athletic Club Red,but it was a hard fought battle!!! #1 Doubles team Marlene and Lynne won 7-6,6-1!! #2 Doubles team really fought, they won 6-2, then lost a tiebreaker for 2nd set (6-7)and the grand finale was winning a 14-12 tiebreaker for the match-YEA!!!! Their opponents were up 9-5 in the tiebreaker and they fought off numerous match points before sealing the win!!! #3 Doubles team Violet and Janice lost the first set4-6, then won the second set 6-2, then won the tiebreaker10-7 to win our 3rd match!!

Congratulations to our team - we are so proud of you. Let's wish them well tomorrow, and the following day.

Practising for Districts

Photo: (Left to right) Neemie, Carrie, Anita, Sosanna, Violet, Janice and Nancy.


Several ladies turned out for Monday morning tennis today. Some got a chance to practice for their matches tomorrow and are upbeat, happy, ready and excited to have reached the coveted Districts. I'm sure I speak for everyone at HEB in saying we wish our ladies (and our men) who also represent HEB at Pinehurst Country Club tomorrow, the very best of luck.

Racquet for Sale

Message from Pam M. - I don't know if anyone is interested but I have a new racket that I might have used 4 times. It is Volkl Catapult. I have a red Brighton cover for it. If anyone is interested please email or call me.(Contact info is on the HEB Tennis Roster List).

Hard Fought Matches

Last Thursday, our ladies senior 3.5 team  played at Railbender Park in Parker...and what matches they were! All three teams had to play for hours, and went to third sets and tiebreakers. The lights went on as darkness shrouded the courts, but the ladies kept going...and going...and going. I'm glad to report that the HEB ladies won all three matches, and some literally staggered off court after almost 2.5 hours! Well done team - we're proud of you.

The Monday Morning Ladies

This photograph was taken two weeks ago at one of the Monday morning tennis sessions. The sun was shining, we had little wind, and almost a clear, blue sky. The ladies are as follows: (left to right) Rita; Nancy; Anita; Neemie (Monday morning coordinator) Sosanna; Violet and Janice.

Coordinator for 2010 Monday Morning Tennis

We all thank Neemie for her commitment to the Monday Morning tennis session. Neemie volunteered for the whole of the season, and what a wonderful job she does! Every single week, she arranges the program, and  keeps everyone on target and on time. Thank you Neemie... from all the ladies at HEB tennis.

ITA Mixed Doubles Match at HEB

Three years ago, we had a mixed doubles ITA league, and we have another this year. It is a combined rated team of 7.5 players. We are glad to report that our team won all 3 matches: Ron & Jenny won #1 doubles 6-1, 6-4; Louise & Jim won 6-2, 6-2 and Jean & Larry won 6-1, 6-2. We have a number of 4.0's who play with 3.5's. It's not Senior league, so the teams we play can be pretty young.

The matches are played on Sunday afternoon through September. Please check the bulletin board for the scheduled matches and plan on cheering for our team whether at home or at the away matches.

Photos:
Top (left to right) Louise; Jean; Larry; Kathy and Dick.
Bottom (left to right) Jim, Jenny and Ron

Five Years of Service to the HEB Tennis Club

For almost five years, Gail and Ron Hedy have been our coordinators for HEB tennis. As with most things in life, nothing lasts forever. Gail is stepping down immediately from all tennis activities, while Ron will finish the year out as President. Needless to say, this is a blow for HEB tennis players, but the Hedy’s decision is final. We thank them for their dedication to the sport, their undying love of the game, and the constant enthusiasm and inclusion of all members from beginners to advanced players.

We are glad to report that 40 members attended the meeting at the clubhouse on August 2, 2010. It was a fantastic turnout, and many, many issues were discussed. Members kept raising their hands to offer solutions to the problems, and even shared ideas for the future. Ron said, “It was the best meeting we’ve ever had.”

Re HEB tennis 1011, we are glad to announce that some members volunteered immediately for the positions of President, Treasurer, Secretary, but that some slots are still open. Ron will be sending emails describing those positions that need to be filled. One is a paying job, so please respond to his email if you are interested.

On a more personal note, I thank Gail and Ron for their help and guidance over the last three years. They have helped me turn a lifetime of squash and racquetball into a “not so bad tennis player.” Without their help (and others), I doubt I'd be playing tennis today – my thanks to you both.

Photo: Gail and Ron Hedy with their appreciation gift of flowers and card, courtesy of HEB tennis.

The HEB Men

Gail Hedy took this photograph recently. She was able to grab the shot before the men began their usual practice session. They make up just a few of the very active men's tennis here at HEB. Currently, we have approximately 75 members (men and women) in our HEB tennis club.

By the way, the 3.5 Super Senior men's team will be representing HEB at Districts next month. Watch this space for actual date and location.

Celebrations for the 3.0. Super Senior USTA Team

Carrie S. Captain of the Super Senior HEB 3.0 team, was the honored guest at a party given my her appreciative team members this week. Everyone had a ball - good food, good company and a lot of laughs. Carrie is pleased to announce the team will go on to represent Heritage Eagle Bend at the Districts in August. We wish them good luck...and much success.

Photo courtesy: Tricia Williams.

A Winner - At Last!

The match at Wimbledon between John Isner and Nicholas Mahut made history. As we all know, Isner was the winner but it was a hard fought match. Following are a few interesting facts, courtesy of the Daily Mail Newspaper on June 25th 2010.

“The Marathon Numbers

138 games in final set, which was the longest ever at 8 hours, 11 minutes

12 energy bars (containing a total 3,000 calories) and three bananas eaten by Isner on court

3 shirts used by Isner

104 pints of water; in 80 bottles, drunk by players

30 ball girls and ball boys alternating every hour

120 balls used

19 times the umpire said: ‘New balls please’

42 pints of sweat lost by the two men

14 line judges alternating every hour and a quarter

2 toilet breaks, for the players, but none for the umpire

7 racquets at £185 each, used by Isner

3 suppers eaten by Isner on Wednesday night – an energy drink, cold meats, then three pizzas, chicken and potato

16,000 calories burned by the players

115 aces served – 103 by Mahut and 112 by Isner

12 Big Macs – what Isner said he would have eaten ‘if they had been put in front of me’

2 spectators thrown out of their seats so John McEnroe and Tracy Austin could sit down and watch

12 towels used over the three days

11 million bet on the match

4.17 million people turned in to BBC2 at its peak on Wednesday evening to watch the match.”

HEB Red 3.5 Team

The HEB Tennis Club has certainly outdone themselves this year. The Super Senior 3.5 team are currently in first place (as are HEB 3.0 Gold). What a fantastic accomplishment from our super senior ladies - we are so proud of you all. With only one match to go...we wish them a final win and off to Districts they go!

Celebrations at HEB

HEB Gold USTA 3.0. do it again! They won yesterday at home to the delight of the players. Afterwards, they celebrated their win with the Avada team who were gracious and good sports. This win keeps the Gold HEB Super Senior Team in first place...with one match to go. We wish them the very best of luck next week.

Ladies USTA 3.0 and 3.5 Teams in First Place

We are pleased to annouce that at the current time the Super Seniors 3.0 (Carrie's team) and 3.5 (Carol's team) USTA are in first place in their respective leagues. Well done to you all! We are so proud of you, and wish you every good luck so that you can represent HEB at Districts. Photos of teams will be posted another day as and when I get them.

Appetizer and Dessert Party

Thank you Gail and Ron for opening your house to the HEB Tennis Club last Saturday. Everyone was asked to bring an appetizer or a dessert to share with others at the party. We had everything from meatballs to chocolate pie, and much, much more. The beer and wine flowed...and everyone had a great time. Thank you Gail and Ron (who stopped for a moment, so I could take his photo.) 

HEB 3.0 Team

Carrie S. captain of the USTA HEB 3.0 ladies is proud to announce that her team is in still in first place. Seen here are just five members of the team who played in Highlands Ranch last week. They are from left to right: Violet; Gigi; Penny; Marlene and Tricia. Well done team - we are all proud of you.

These Early Morning Matches!

Long time tennis player Violet V. and Rookie (to USTA) Janice A. played as a doubles team last week - and won! These 8:00 AM matches in the Rockies can be tough sometimes. Note the gloves in Violet's hands!

The Captains!

Carrie S. (left) captain of the USTA Super Seniors 3.0 team at HEB Tennis Club enjoys a moment visiting with team captain Carol Q. from Gates Tennis Club on Friday, May 14th. Carrie was pleased to announce that her ladies had won all three matches.

Food and Fun

A Pampered Chef representative (Lynn Shafer) demonstrates how to make a Chicken and Broccoli Braid for the HEB tennis ladies (seen in the background), friends and family of the host, Liz. It was a pleasant evening to chat about tennis, family and community matters, to drink a glass of wine, and enjoy the delicious Chicken and Broccoli Braid.

For more information:
www.pamperedchef.biz/lynnshafer