NG Women Have Successful Season in SCTA Fall Doubles League

February 2009 - The ladies Orange County team competing in the 4.5 division of the SCTA Fall Doubles league won the championship trophy at the Southern California sectional tournament in Palm Desert. Half the team members that played out of the Rancho Niguel-based team are Nellie Gail club members. Congratulations to team captain Lisa Matthess, who was joined by other NG players Beth Parsons, Lara Marmelstein, Diane Simmons, Polly Durst, Lisa Dale Straw, and Krista O'Connor. The team lost only a single match out of 12 lines played against four teams during the competition weekend. Congratulations to other team members Pam Gajewski, Cami Runnalls, Mary Woodward, Nancy Fussell, Rosanne Faul and Susan Hagstrom.

Also competing well for Nellie Gail was the 3.5 women's team, which reached the finals of sectional competition before succumbing 2-1 in their final match. Captain Kristen Bondy was backed up by Karen Riccio, Julie Curran, Laurie Finch, Kristi Molnar, Kelly Fickinger, Annette Jaffe, Wendy Steiner, Angela Lemieux, Maryam Yassami, Vita Willens, and Debby Zulch. Awesome job, ladies!


Top Gun Tournament Fields Many Nellie Gail Players & Winners

November 2008- Considered one of the top three major tennis tournaments in the Orange County area annually, the Top Gun drew top-notch play this year from many Nellie Gail members.

In the Women's 5.0 doubles division, it was nearly an all Nellie Gail final with top seeds Claire Naliboff and Pam Gajewski facing off against #2 seeds Kim Parham and her partner from Coto de Caza, Cami Runnalls. Kim and Cami prevailed with a 6-2, 6-0 win over their friends. Other NG'ers in the same draw included Debbie Martinez, Shaun Bernadou, and Lynette Dobos.

In the Men's 5.0 doubles draw, top seeds and seasoned partners Gary Doi and Tim Linn won the championship by defeating Arthur Chen (South Pasadena) and Daniel Soto (La Mirada) in the final, 6-3, 6-2. Also competing in the 5.0 draw were NG members Barry Crook, David Meier, and Rad Vach. Another Nellie Gail member, Howard Morrison, competed in the men's 4.5 doubles level.


Nellie Gail's USTA 4.5 Senior Men's Team Places 3rd in Nation

October 2008 - It was another banner year for Nellie Gail's consistently top-performing USTA 4.5 Senior Men's team. In the highest-level of senior age (50+) league competition, the 4.5 team format pits three lines of doubles per match. After winning the very competitive Southern California section championship, the team advanced to the national championships competition and placed 3rd in the country. Led by captains Gary Doi and Tim Linn, the roster also included Nellie Gail teaching professionals Bob Hochstadter and Don Davis, as well as club members Tom Bryan, Kelly Davidson, Craig Neslage, Thomas Bozarth, Todd Katzman, Richard Miller, and Steve Kasner. Way to go guys!

Nellie Gail Members Help SoCal's USTA 4.5 Senior Women's Team Win National Championship

October 2008 - The top-notch senior women's team from Southern California held tough and outplayed every other team in the U.S. to win the 4.5 Senior Women's Championship for 2008. This team was comprised of all-star players aged 50+ from throughout Orange County though they played out of Long Beach under team captains Teri Monroy and Gail Yaksitch. Nellie Gail members Lisa Matthess and Diane Simmons were key in the team's success, winning 6 of 6 tough matches over three days.  Another Nellie Gail player, Polly Durst, was pivotal during the season earning the team's right to advance to the championship flights but had a wrist injury and couldn't play during the finals. Congratulations ladies!