The Ojai

Over the weekend Matt Solomon and Phalkun Mam represented Whitman in the 107 Ojai tournament. The only way to describe this tournament is "amazing". The tournament has over 1,500 participants spread across divisions ranging from juniors to men's open. Ojai has a great structure for the tournament. Because of the large number of participants matches start in outlying areas and as players progress through the tournament they move into Ojai.

In singles Phalkun didn't play so well and lost 6-4, 6-2 to a lower UCSC player. I know he was disappointed to make such a long trip only to go out in the first round. Matt faired a bit better defeating Billy Kingsbourgh of Redlands before falling to the #3 (Mikey Lim) from CMS. In that match Matt served for the first set 5-4 -- unfortunately after he got broke the wheels came off and he lost 7-5, 6-1.

Doubles was a pleasant surprise. Matt and Phalkun have maybe played together once all year so we didn't have any idea how they would do together. Turns out they played some of the best doubles of the year. In their first match they defeated the #2 team from Cal Lutheran 8-5. In their second match they defeated the #4 seed and #4 team in the region (Redlands #1) 9-8. In the quarters they lost to the eventually finalist (Pybas and Liberty-Point of UCSC) 9-8.

Their strong play gives us something to build on if we make the national tournament this weekend. Selections are later today. Hopefully I will post with some good news later tonight!