Playoff Game Recap:
Philly Phighters vs. Frosty Hollow Freeze (July 11th)
It is day two of the USTA Playoffs at the Philadelphia Area District Championships. The Philly Phighters were taking on the Frosty Hollow Freeze and it was a playoff beauty. It was a beautiful setting with fans in lounge chairs and birds chirping. The players were sweating from the hot heat and the ice from the coolers were dripping onto the courts. Gatorade, vitamin water, and good ol' H20, played a big factor in the success of the teams today. With that being said, business was needed on the hard courts. Both squads had loud cheering crowds with them but when everything was finished, the Frosty Hollow Freeze snuck out a victory with a tight 3-2 score.
Oh, it was a dandy on this hot day. On day two of the USTA Playoffs, the Frosty Hollow Freeze put out a playoff lineup that had a successful finish. The Singles Positions were filled by Ian Blackman and Hakan Uluturk. The Doubles Positions were filled by Dave Kniaz and Ken Patterson, Mike Bell and Mark Patton, and Lance Shaffer and Mark Shaffer. This lineup gave the Frosty Hollow Freeze their first playoff win in franchise history.
On a Doubles court with Dave Kniaz and Ken Patterson, the intensity was high. Dave Kniaz said, "Glad I didn't pass out. Heat really got to me. The heat gets to us old guys." Ken Patterson refused to talk to the media following the match. It was a rough long drawn out match in humid weather and the players were exhausted.
The court that featured Doubles pair Mike Bell and Mark Patton was a fun court to watch. With back and forth action and big up-tempo serves, this match was enjoyable. Mike and Mark won their court and scored for the team. While walking off the court with a solid victory, Mark Patton, nicknamed 'Money Mark Patton' said "That's how it's done son. What's my name? Did I win?" When talking to the media, he entertainingly said, "I made that team my b***h." Both Mike and Mark did their job today and were fantastic.
Hakan Uluturk had a tough match on his court. Before the match, Hakan spoke with the media, stating, "I'm out of shape and out of practice. That's my perfect Ian impression." He gave a great effort today and did not quit. Hakan stated afterwards, "Back to the practice court. I paid for it by taking a 3 week vacation and eating like a pig each day and drinking. Just need to practice more." A ton of running around on this court kept the players sweating.
On another Doubles court, Lance Shaffer and Mark Shaffer were amped up and ready to go from the first serve of the match. Lance and Mark won their court and had a ton of success at the net. Mark Shaffer rolled his ankle during the game, but still finished the match. On a swollen ankle, Mark played sensational and Lance was dominant at the net. Lance hit a slice shot that dropped on the other side of the net and, before the opponents could get to it, the ball bounced back on the other side. It was an impressive shot. When talking to the media, Mark Shaffer said, "We played great today. We like playing in playoff matches." Lance Shaffer also spoke with the media after the match. He said, "We knew we needed to be at our best today and we did a good job. We played with a ton of jam today and didn't want to give our opponents anything." The crowd was intense and loud watching this court.
With the match tied up at 2-2, it all came down to one Singles court where Ian Blackman was stationed. He pulled out his biggest USTA win. He was drenched with sweat after the match from running and hitting dominant forehand winners. With the fans from both teams cheering and watching with each point, the amount of pressure was big time. Ian did not quit until he succeeded for the team. After the match Ian commented, "I lost ten pounds. I brought three waters, a vitamin water, and a huge jug of water and drank them all." This was a great Singles bout.
The Frosty Hollow Freeze are still in the playoffs with a chance to win the USTA Philadelphia Area District Championship tomorrow! The Frosty Hollow Freeze want the fans to come out cheering loud again for the championship! Tomorrow................................................................................................................................... 8:00 a.m @ Frosty Hollow, The Frosty Hollow Freeze are taking on their bitter division rival: Penn State. Both teams split in the regular season with each team grabbing a victory. It is now the playoffs and that is all moot. The trash talk has begun and there is a ton of dislike between these two big teams. This is painted to be a physical match with a ton of emotion on the court and in the stands. It should be a ton of fun to watch! The glory road to California is still going! Be ready for tomorrow where championship is set!
