1) 2002 National's in Atlanta; my first tournament larger than the local DYP's. In No-Pro DYP there were 60-teams and I didn't knew nothing about anbody. My partner is an outstanding and well-known player from Ohio - but obviously not a pro. We lost the first game of each match - usually we got drilled - mostly because it took me that long to figure out the other guys shot selection, tells, etc. Even without putting us in the hole to start each match I was so nervous. On the other hand, it is amazing how well we/you/I can execute precise shots and passes while under this pressure - shivers down my backbone, I got shakes in my knee bone...shakin' all over.
After a day, a night and the next day (you know how little respect DYP's get) we were on top of the winner's bracket about to play a team made of players any touring player would know. They destroyed us in two straight games, bringing us down to their level: one loss.
Within minutes we had started the final match and, during the first game, nothing changed as the forward continued to slam is snake shots against the back of the goal. But, in the second game I began to get his number and in the third was able keep my partner in it ong enough to pull out the win. It still makes me grin.
2) Opening round of expert singles at KY State. It was already a couple of days into the tournament and I had been playing rookie events, DYP's etc. all day, everyday. My first oponent was a well-know and highly accomplished female pro from north of the border - and recently arrived from the airport. I knew I needed every atvantage and felt no sympathy because she wasn't warmed-up, yet. In fact, to calm myself, I spent the 5-minutes before the match lying on the floor, with my eyes closed, relaxing my body, clearing my mind and focusing on my game.
I started like gangbusters, making precise and accuract passes, working her defense with my pull-shot selection and picking holes from the 2-bar. The first game was over before I knew it. In the second, she found her stride and, although I continued to play well, she had me five to three.
Since my opponent was known, we were playing in front of the bleachers. My friends were all there and other people were watching because you don't get to watch pro's very often. This game was a real battle. I don't remember all the shots (it amazes me how many players can do that - me, never) but I do remember hitting a second rolling-pull to the long hole, from the back. And, I remember the last shot of the game - possibly the only point that wasn't cleanly dropped. With one game apiece and a four - four score in the third, I attempted a long, sqaure pull against her cross-over defense. She blocked it with one, then a second, man before it bounced off the wall and into her goal. To-date - my most memorable singles match.
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