2015 4.5 National Championships

I had the opportunity to play this year in the 4.5 National Championships out in Palm Springs, California.  This was my third trip to the National Championships.  After having lost the previous two times to the eventual champion, I was hoping to finally get over the edge and win this year.  The goal of the team was to get into the final four.  There were 16 regions represented at the National Championships.  I was on the team that represented the midwest.  All 16 teams were placed in groups of four.  Our team then had to play each team in our grouping.  We defeated all of the other three teams in our bracket and advanced to the final four.  This was our goal from the start, so we were pretty happy.  We played Texas in the semi-finals and beat them 3-2.  (I should let you know that you play 2 singles positions and three doubles positions.)  That win put us in the National Championship match against Northern California, the home team.  The temperature in Palm Springs that weekend was extremely hot.  Most of the matches were played with the temperature in triple digits.  The championship match was no exception.  After an early struggle against out opponents, my partner Leon Brenneman and I eventually won our match 6-4 6-4.  The rest of the team held there own and we ended up beating Northern California 4-1.  It was a dream come true for my teammates and myself.  It was an amazing weekend, and it is something I will never forget.  Check out the photos below.